Consent is the foundation of business texting. It is what carriers check during registration, what the law requires, and frankly what keeps people from reporting your messages as spam. Here is what good consent looks like in practice.
This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Rules like the TCPA and state laws change, so check with a lawyer for your situation.
Where consent can come from
- A web form with an SMS checkbox.
- A keyword the person texts to you, such as “Text JOIN to (949) 555-0142.”
- A paper or in-store sign-up form.
- Checkout or account settings in your app or website.
Whatever the method, keep a record: the phone number, the date and time, and what the person saw when they agreed.
What the opt-in must say
Right next to the checkbox or keyword instructions, include:
- Your business name, so people know who is texting.
- What you will send, for example appointment reminders and occasional offers.
- How often, for example “about 2–4 messages a month” or “message frequency varies.”
- “Message and data rates may apply.”
- How to stop and get help: “Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help.”
- Links to your privacy policy and terms.
Rules people miss
The checkbox must be optional
Texting consent cannot be required to submit a form, book an appointment or buy something. Leave the box unchecked by default and let people continue without it. A required box is one of the most common reasons campaigns get rejected.
Marketing needs its own consent
Someone who agreed to appointment reminders has not agreed to promotions. If you want to send both, say so in the opt-in, or ask separately.
Bought or shared lists are off limits
Never text numbers you bought, rented or got from a partner. Consent is given to your business only.
The first message
Send a confirmation right after someone opts in. It should repeat the essentials:
STOP and HELP
When someone replies STOP (or similar words like UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL or QUIT), stop texting them right away and send one final confirmation that they are unsubscribed. When someone replies HELP, answer with your business name and how to reach you.
Timing and content
- Text during reasonable hours in the recipient’s time zone. Many businesses stick to roughly 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time.
- Start each message with your business name.
- Use links on your own domain rather than public link shorteners, which carriers often filter.