Ultimate Guide to Understanding Opt-In & Opt-Out SMS Terms

Have you ever received a text message from a company asking you to “opt-in” or “opt-out” of something? These terms refer to giving or revoking permission to receive text communications from businesses.

Opt-in means agreeing to receive future text messages, usually for marketing purposes. For example, when you check a box permitting a company to text you about sales or new products, you’re opting in.

Opt-out is the opposite - it’s telling a company you no longer wish to get text messages from them by using a keyword like “STOP.” So in short:

• Opt-in is giving consent to receive texts
• Opt-out is revoking consent to stop getting texts

Lets explore common examples of opt-in and opt-out messages, text message compliance laws, and how to send effective SMS campaigns that customers want.

Part 1: What Does OPT Mean in Text Message?

When it comes to text messaging, you may see companies use terms like “opt-in” and “opt-out.” But what do these terms mean?

Opt-In Meaning

Opting in refers to giving a company permission to send you text messages. For example, if you enter your phone number on a website to sign up for text alerts about sales or new products, you are opting in to receive future texts.

By opting in, you are actively agreeing to let the business text promotional messages to your phone. The company needs your direct consent to add you to their text message marketing list and send you texts.

Opt-Out Meaning

Opting out is the opposite of opting in - it means you want to stop receiving text messages from a particular business. Companies are required to provide you with an easy way to opt out of getting texts from them if you no longer wish to receive them.

Common opt-out keywords you may see in text messages include “STOP,” “CANCEL,” “UNSUBSCRIBE,” or “END.” If you text back one of those words to a company, they have to honor your request to be removed from their text list. Opting out revokes your consent and prevents them from sending you any further text messages.

Part 2: SMS Compliance - Know Before Sending opt in Messages

When asking customers to opt-in to receive your company’s text messages, you need to ensure you are complying with regulations around text message marketing. There are a few key guidelines businesses should understand when it comes to sending opt-in requests and managing customer consent.

TCPA Consent Rules

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is the main regulation covering business text messaging in the United States. Under the TCPA, companies must receive clear written consent before sending consumers text messages that contain promotional or marketing content.

The opt-in process allows you to collect written consent from customers. Whether it’s a website form, text keyword, or paper form, your opt-in messages need to clearly state:

• The company name sending the texts
• That consent is for marketing via text messages
• The number of messages to expect monthly

When consumers opt-in to your SMS program, you must maintain records of their consent to prove compliance with TCPA rules in case it is ever questioned.

Text Message Opt-Out Requirements

In addition to spelling out your opt-in consent statements, the TCPA also requires that the first text you send a subscriber must explain how to opt back out of receiving messages.

For example, you may see a message like “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” at the end of an SMS. Customers should be able to easily opt-out with either a text keyword or contacting your support team directly.

Adhering to CTIA Best Practices

On top of TCPA rules, businesses in the U.S. should also comply with CTIA best practices for consumer consent and sending wanted texts. Some of their key guidelines include:

• Limiting messages to no more than 10 per week (aim for less!)
• Using a double opt-in method to confirm valid numbers
• Honoring ALL unsubscribe requests immediately

Following CTIA recommendations builds additional trust with subscribers and helps avoid issues with carriers that can impact deliverability.

Send Compliance SMS

Part 3: Compliant opt-in Text Message Examples

Once you understand the rules around securing customer consent for text messaging, the next step is creating opt-in messages that drive subscriptions while maintaining compliance.

Let’s explore some real opt-in text examples across three common scenarios - single opt-in, double opt-in, and examples tailored to specific use cases.

Single Opt-In Text Message Examples

A single opt-in occurs when a customer provides consent to receive your text messages through a website form, verbal confirmation, or paper form. Since consent has already been captured, your opt-in confirmation text can be more focused on welcoming subscribers rather than re-securing permission.

Here are two SMS opt-in message examples for single opt-in welcome texts:

This single opt-in example clearly states the business name, that the customer has already opted in, the opt-out keyword, a help resource, and a link to terms and conditions.

Text to Customers Now

Double Opt-In Text Message Examples

With a double opt-in process, customers take two steps to confirm consent - like checking a box on a website form, and then replying YES to an SMS confirmation message.

The confirmation message should recap the specifics of what the customer is opting into while gathering secondary confirmation.

Here are two compliant double opt-in examples:

Both examples restate key details like the business name and explain what types of SMS communications the opt-in applies to before asking for confirmation.

Use Case-Specific SMS Opt-In Examples

You may require slightly different opt-in language depending on how customers will interact with your business via text messaging.

Here are text message opt-in examples tailored to three common use cases:

1Marketing Example:

Simply Boho: Flash sale this weekend only! Reply YES to opt in for recurring SMS alerts about deals, new arrivals & promos. Up to 10 msgs/month. Message & data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt out.

2Support Example:

Thanks for contacting Acme Co. customer service. Want text updates on order #11389? Reply YES or text START to opt into shipping SMS alerts.

3Appointment Example:

Reply YES to confirm receiving automated appointment reminders from City Dental to your mobile phone. Up to 5 msgs/month. Std rates apply. Text STOP to opt-out.

The language used for support-related texts may focus more on account specifics vs. broader marketing content. Appointment reminders also call out the regularity and nature of those alerts upfront.

Part 4: Start Your SMS Campaign with EngageLab

EngageLab is an omnichannel customer engagement platform that provides robust text messaging capabilities to help businesses connect with customers. While EngageLab supports channels like push notifications, email, and WhatsApp, its SMS solution stands out as an easy way to set up compliant text message marketing.

EngageLab simplifies sending effective text message marketing at scale while keeping your business compliant. EngageLab’s engagement channels help drive interactions across the web, mobile app, email, and messaging platforms.

With EngageLab’s global infrastructure and intelligent delivery capabilities, it’s easier than ever to connect with customers in their channel of choice - including via SMS campaigns.

Part 5: FAQs

How to Opt Back Into Text Messages?

If you previously opted out of receiving text messages from a business by texting STOP, CANCEL, or other opt-out keywords, you may eventually want to opt back in to resume receiving helpful alerts or promotions.

Re-subscribing is easy - simply text the business’s designated opt-in keyword if they provided one originally, like YES, SUBSCRIBE, or START. Typically this triggers a confirmation text allowing you to double opt-in again.

If the business didn’t give an opt-in keyword, look on their website or contact page for their phone number and send them a text directly asking to re-subscribe to SMS alerts. Make sure to clarify what types of text notifications you want to get - appointment reminders, promos, etc.

Are There Examples of SMS Opt-Out Messages?

If you are the head of marketing for a business, it is essential that you offer users the option to opt out or unsubscribe from future SMS messages from your company as part of your SMS campaign. Here are two common SMS opt-out text examples you are likely to see:

Example 1: “Reply STOP to unsubscribe from future Victoria’s Secret SMS alerts. Msg & data rates may apply.”

Example 2: “You’re subscribed to SMS updates from Happy Paws Dog Care. Reply END or call 555-0189 to cancel text notifications.”

These examples include simple, straightforward keywords like STOP or END. Companies should honor and process users’ opt-out request right away, though allow up to 30 days per TCPA regulations.

Conclusion

In closing, understanding opt-in and opt-out terminology is key for both consumers and companies when it comes to SMS messaging.

There are laws in countries like the United States that require clear consumer consent via opt-in before sending promotional texts.

On the flip side, always provide a straightforward way for customers to opt-out immediately if they no longer wish to get texts. Follow TCPA rules regarding written consent and your subscribers will feel respected. Implement best practices of intelligent delivery, relevant content, and easy opt-outs to make SMS a trusted, effective marketing channel.

Looking for a reliable platform to execute SMS initiatives? EngageLab enables easy global customer engagement with effective SMS tools for any use case. Sign up for a free 30-day trial to experience how EngageLab drives results.

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