# Channels Overview
## Supported Channels
StoreIVR supports the following channels and the platform will continue to support more channels in the future.
### Channels Summary
The table below summarizes on the connection difficulty level, the time needed, applicable cost and requirements for each channel.
{% hint style="info" %}
If there is a need to connect to channels that require approval such as WhatsApp, Twitter and WeChat, we will suggest proceeding with the application first. Once the account is approved, you may proceed to connect it to KDC.app
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="warning" %}
If there is a channel you don't see the list and you would like the platform to support, please do not hesitate to add a request by sending an eMail to [**hello@storeivr.com**](https://docs.kdc.in/storeivr/email)
{% endhint %}
## Channel Capabilities
The table below will give you a quick comparison between channels.
\* Channel does not support rich UI quick replies, uses numeric system instead.
^ Not all channel partners allow broadcasts.
ª Some channels have a messaging window, replies can only be sent within the messaging window.
˘ Some channels have channel-specific features, you can find out more on the channel page.
º Some channels have additional fees imposed by the channel providers. This might apply to your custom channels.
### Message Status Availability
For some channels, we are able to find out the message status whether has it been sent, delivered, read or failed. Refer to the following table on which channel offers message status availability:
### Messaging Window
Some messaging channels have a limited messaging window for the contact to receive a response. The messaging window refreshes every time a message is received from a contact. Refer to the following channel and their respective messaging window:
{% hint style="info" %}
Facebook Messenger's Messaging Window is now extended to 7 days because StoreIVR platform has been selected to participate in Facebook HUMAN\_AGENT tag Closed Beta program.
{% endhint %}
Messages can still be sent outside the messaging window but it will not be delivered. There will be a red exclamation mark indicating the message is not delivered along with an error message.
For Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, they have a feature that allows users to send a message to the contacts beyond the messaging window.
{% hint style="info" %}
To send a message to Facebook contacts after the messaging window, you can use Facebook Messenger Message Tag to do so. For more information on, look at Facebook Messenger Message Tag.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
To send a message to WhatsApp contacts after the messaging window, you can use WhatsApp Message Templates to do so. For more information on, look at WhatsApp Message Templates.
{% endhint %}
### Broadcast
In StoreIVR, you may broadcast content to your contacts if the channel is supported. However, there may be a few limitations that need to be considered when broadcasting with a supported channel.
{% hint style="info" %}
Bear in mind that every channel has its own rate limit of how many requests/messages can be processed in a time interval. This may affect the deliverability of the broadcast content to your contact.
{% endhint %}
#### WhatsApp API Channels
If you wish to broadcast to contacts from WhatsApp API Channels, you will need to specify a WhatsApp Message Template as the broadcast content.
Before broadcasting to these contacts, please make sure your WhatsApp Message Template is submitted and approved by WhatsApp.
#### Facebook Messenger
As for Facebook Messenger, you can specify the content in the broadcast dialog but a Facebook Tag is needed to send the broadcast content.
{% hint style="info" %}
When using Facebook Tag for broadcast, please make sure you comply with Facebook's Messaging Policy to prevent your Facebook page being banned from sending messages.
{% endhint %}
### Rate Limits
A rate limit is the number of API calls an app or user can make within a given time period defined by the channel. For example, a rate limit of 30 requests per second means that in one second, any request that comes after the 30th request will be throttled and fail.
{% hint style="info" %}
In the context of StoreIVR, a request is when a message is being sent to a contact.
{% endhint %}
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