Best Practices and Requirements for Compliant SMS Marketing Campaigns
To ensure all SMS marketing activities conducted through our platform remain lawful, ethical,
and aligned with industry standards, users must adhere to the following compliance
requirements and best practices:
1. Obtain Prior Express Consent (Opt-In Required)
Before sending any marketing or promotional SMS messages, you must obtain clear and
verifiable consent from the recipient.
- Consent must be explicit—implied consent is not sufficient for marketing texts
- Users must clearly disclose that they are signing up to receive recurring text messages
- Opt-in mechanisms may include checked boxes (not pre-checked), keyword responses (e.g.,
"Text JOIN to 12345"), or written consent
2. Provide Opt-Out Instructions in Every Message
Every message must include a simple and clear way for recipients to opt out of receiving
further texts, such as: "Reply STOP to unsubscribe."
- Opt-out requests must be processed immediately
- Once a recipient opts out, they may not be contacted again unless they re-subscribe
3. Identify Yourself Clearly
Each message should clearly identify the business name or brand sending the message. This
ensures transparency and helps reduce spam complaints.
Example: "[BrandName]: Your appointment is confirmed for 3 PM tomorrow. Reply STOP to opt
out."
4. Honor Quiet Hours (Do Not Disturb Regulations)
Do not send messages outside of legally acceptable hours. In the U.S., the TCPA prohibits
marketing messages before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM (local time of the recipient).
5. Message Frequency Disclosure
You must disclose how many messages users can expect to receive upon opting in.
Example: "You will receive up to 4 messages/month. Msg & data rates may apply."
6. Content Restrictions
Do not send any content that is misleading, deceptive, or prohibited by law, including but
not limited to:
- Pornographic material
- Hate speech or violence
- Cannabis-related products (restricted by carrier guidelines even if legal in your state)
- Unapproved financial offers or sweepstakes
7. Maintain Accurate Records
Maintain internal records of:
- When and how consent was obtained
- All opt-ins, opt-outs, and message logs
These records are vital in case of complaints or audits.
8. Data Privacy Compliance
Ensure all contact data collected and used in your campaigns complies with applicable data
privacy laws, such as:
- TCPA (U.S. residents)
- GDPR (EU residents)
- CASL (Canadian residents)