A2P 10DLC SMS Best Practices

Vanillasoft is committed to keeping you informed about the latest developments in A2P 10DLC, a new regulation impacting businesses that send text messages (SMS) to customers in the United States. While the rollout of this program has been confusing, registering and following best practices can significantly improve your message delivery rates and build trust with your audience. If you haven't registered yet, visit the A2P 10DLC Registration article to begin the process.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of A2P 10DLC, including:

  • The Importance of Registration: Learn why registering for A2P 10DLC is crucial for ensuring your messages reach their intended recipients.
  • Potential for Blocked Messages: Even registered messages can be blocked. We'll discuss this and offer solutions.
  • Best Practices for Success: Discover key strategies to maximize your chances of successful message delivery.

Why You Should Register

A2P 10DLC acts as a verification system, confirming who you are and the content of your text messages. This helps protect consumers from spam and ensures they know who's contacting them. By registering, you gain these benefits:

  • Higher Delivery Rates: Registered messages are more likely to be seen by your customers, as carriers recognize you as a legitimate business.
  • Builds Trust with Customers: Customers are more likely to trust messages from registered senders, demonstrating your commitment to ethical communication.

Registration and Additional Information

If you haven't registered yet, visit the A2P 10DLC Registration article (link provided by Vanillasoft) to begin the process.

Understanding How A2P 10DLC is Monitored

Carriers primarily rely on customer feedback to identify potential violations, such as high opt-out rates or direct complaints. A high volume of complaints can lead to a review of your message content, so adhering to best practices is essential.

Industries with High Complaint Rates

Certain industries, like those listed below, have a history of generating high complaint volumes due to unscrupulous practices by some businesses. For these industries, following best practices is even more critical to avoid message blocking:

  • Social marketing
  • Collections Financial services, whether account notifications, marketing, collections or billing for:
    • High-risk/subprime lending/credit card companies
    • Auto loans
    • Mortgages
    • Payday loans
    • Short-term loans
    • Student loans
    • Debt consolidation/reduction/forgiveness
  • Insurance
    • Car Insurance
    • Health Insurance
  • Gambling, Casino, and Bingo
  • Gift cards
  • Sweepstakes
  • Free prizes
  • Investment opportunities
  • Lead generation
  • Recruiting
  • Commission programs
  • Credit repair
  • Tax relief
  • Illicit or illegal substances (including Cannabis)
  • Work from home
  • Get rich quick
  • UGGS and RayBan campaigns
  • Phishing
  • Fraud or scams
  • Cannabis
  • Deceptive marketing
  • SHAFT: Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms or Tobacco

General Best Practices for Content

Always avoid sending messages that are:

  • Unlawful, harmful, or abusive
  • Deceptive or misleading (including phishing attempts)
  • Invasive of privacy
  • Intended to incite harm, discrimination, or violence
  • Includes malware or threats

Specific Best Practices to Ensure Delivery

Here are some crucial actions to take to minimize the risk of your messages being blocked:

  • Consumer Opt-Out: Clearly include opt-out instructions in at least your first message in a conversation, allowing recipients to unsubscribe easily. This is likely the most important best practice. More in opt-out options can be found in the SMS Opt-Out article.
  • Consumer Consent: Obtain clear and documented consent from recipients before sending marketing messages. The specific type of consent required may vary depending on the nature of your message content.
  • Clean and Conspicuous Calls to Action: Be clear and upfront about the purpose of your messages and how to opt-in to receive them. Avoid deceptive language.
  • High Opt-Out Rates: A daily opt-out rate of 5% or higher could trigger carrier scrutiny. Review your messaging practices if you experience high opt-out rates.
  • Embedded Website Links and Phone Numbers: Ensure these elements are clear, transparent, and don't mislead recipients.

By registering for A2P 10DLC and following the best practices outlined above, you can ensure your text messages reach their intended audience and build stronger relationships with your customers.

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