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Home New 10DLC regulations for business texting

There are steps businesses can take to avoid having their messages flagged as spam.

What 10DLC is and why the regulations were created. Businesses must register with The Campaign Registry and prove their contacts have opted in to receive texts. Carriers want to reduce spam and ensure consumers receive messages they want.

10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) regulations have been implemented by mobile carriers to ensure compliance and reduce spam in business texting. If you’re using standard 10-digit phone numbers (like your business landline or internet phone number) for texting, these regulations apply to you.

  1. Important Dates:
    • By August 31, 2023, delivery of messages from unregistered numbers will be significantly reduced. Completing vetting before this date is strongly encouraged.
  2. 10DLC Terms and Definitions:
    • 10DLC: Refers to a 10-digit long code phone number (e.g., 423-218-0111).
    • Short Code: A four, five, or six-digit number used for mass texting. Short codes tend to be expensive and have caused spam issues.
    • A2P Messaging: Application-to-person texting from software applications like Text Request.
  3. The Campaign Registry (TCR): A central hub for registering A2P 10DLC messaging campaigns. TCR verifies legitimacy and ensures reliable message delivery.
Carriers want to make sure people only receive texts they signed up for and protect them from bad actors. As a side benefit for businesses, following these regulations can lead to faster message delivery and make your company look more trustworthy.
 
The key points for businesses about 10DLC regulations are:
  1. Registration: Your business needs to be registered with The Campaign Registry.
  2. Opt-in consent: You can only text people who have agreed to receive messages from your business.
  3. Industry restrictions: Certain industries, like those selling illegal products, are not allowed to use text message marketing.
  1. New fees: There are new fees associated with 10DLC and sending text messages, but the service you’re using (Text Request) will handle most of it for you.
 
Registering your business for 10DLC involves several steps:
  1. Provide Business Information: This includes your legal name, registration country, type (private, public, nonprofit), tax ID, website, and descriptions of how you’ll use texting (with examples). Text Request will collect this during signup or update your existing information.
  2. Brand Registration: You’ll register your business as a “brand” on the system. One brand can have multiple texting purposes (“campaigns”).
  3. Campaign Registration: Register each purpose for texting (“campaign”). There’s a general “mixed” option if you have many uses. Each campaign can have up to 50 phone numbers.
  4. Initial Approval: The Campaign Registry will quickly review your brand registration.
  5. DCA Vetting: Each campaign goes through a more thorough vetting by a separate company (DCA) to confirm you have permission to text your contacts (opt-in). This can take 2 days to 4 weeks. Text Request will keep you updated throughout the process.

 

Website is Key: Text Request recommends adding clear opt-in language to your website for the best chance of approval during vetting.
Multiple Methods: There are five main ways to collect opt-ins on your website:

 

  1. Contact Forms: Include an opt-in checkbox with clear language.
  2. Terms of Service: Add opt-in wording and opt-out instructions (e.g., “reply STOP to unsubscribe”).
  3. SMS Chat Widget: Text Request’s chat widget has built-in opt-in language.
  4. Keyword Prompts: Encourage people to text a keyword for specific offers (e.g., “Text DEALS”).
  5. Phone Number Text Opt-in: If you list your phone number, add “Text or call us” to imply texting permission.
 
Sample Opt-in Language: Text Request provides examples you can adapt for your website and contact forms.

Additional Methods (Less Reliable):

  • Website Pop-up Forms: Must follow the same guidelines as contact forms.
  • Verbal Phone Opt-in: Requires documented scripts and record-keeping.
  • Physical Forms: Acceptable with opt-in language, but a picture of the form is required during registration.

Disclaimer: Text Request isn’t a law firm, and this information isn’t legal advice.

 

How to avoid getting your texts flagged as spam:
  • Avoid Spammy Practices: Don’t send mass texts with shortened URLs (use full links), avoid ending messages with links, and don’t use excessive caps, emojis, or dollar signs.
  • Personalize Your Messages: Sending the same generic message to a large group is a red flag.
  • Keep it Concise: Avoid sending lengthy texts to a large audience.
  • Text Request Spam Scanner: This tool helps identify potential spam content in your messages before sending.
  • Be Conversational: In essence, if your texts resemble how you’d text a friend, you’re likely in the clear.
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Remember, toll-free numbers are not considered 10DLC, and these regulations do not apply to them. If you need assistance with compliant business texting, feel free to reach out to Text Request at 423-218-0111 or through their contact form1.