The SMS Opt-in and Opt-out Process

Age Texting's opt-in methods simplify the law for you, so you can worry more about customer engagement and less about texting restrictions.

Opting in

What is opting in and what does it mean when a mobile subscriber opts-in to your text message marketing program?

In the context of your marketing program, when a consumer opts-in they are deciding that they want to be involved with your SMS (text message) marketing program and would not mind that your business texts them. Makes sense right? Under TCPA statute, a form of written consent must be established first. It is a crucial step and is important for the integrity and growth of your mobile marketing strategy. Now you may be asking, what are appropriate methods for gathering written consent? With Age Texting, gaining mobile subscriber consent is easy through our interactive attribution models.

Age Texting offers a wide variety of opt-in methods. Make sure you implement as many as you can. We are happy to help!

Attribution Channels

Age Texting gives your business attribution channels, which are part of our lead generation tool set. These are self-service opt-in methods that help our clients grow their mobile audience. When your mobile audience engages with these opt-in sources, they understand that it constitutes as their signature of consent.

Keyword

A keyword opt-in is one of the most common forms of a consent-based opt-in channel. Mobile users simply text a keyword to the instructed short code or texting code so subscribe to a marketer's text program.

Web form

Web form opt-ins are another form of a consent-based opt-in channel. Web form signees simply fill out the form with their phone number and name, and they are signed up for your text program.

Interactive Keypad

Keypad or kiosk opt-ins are another form of consent-based method. Potential subscribers enter their phone number into the Age Texting kiosk or keypad to subscribe.

Standard Disclaimers for Text Marketing Programs

By signing up through a webform, via a keyword or keypad, your customers are providing consent for you to text them via Age Texting's SMS platform.

Your initial opt-in autoresponder should contain the following verbiage:

• Your business name

• What they signed up for (ex: marketing alerts)

• Message and Data Rates May Apply (Msg&DataRatesMayApply)

• How to text for HELP (Reply HELP for help)

• How to opt out (Text STOP to Stop)

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Opting Out

What is opting out, and what does it mean when a mobile subscriber opts-out of your text message marketing program?

Again, in the context of your SMS marketing program, when a consumer opts-out, they are deciding that they do not want to receive text messages from you. Under TCPA statute, opting out is a right that should always be available to your mobile subscribers and should be as seamless as the process it took for them to opt in. To opt-out, consumers have to reply to your short code or 10DLC message thread with “STOP” to unsubscribe. Or, they can inquire directly with the mobile marketing service provider regarding their request.

Summary of the Law

In 1991 congress enacted the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). It has been revised to conform with marketing practice today by the FCC. The Act defines the rules that must be followed before engaging in marketing practices, which most simply states that you must gain a form of consent through a disclosed process.

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Updated 11/25/23