US Short Code Application Guidelines

Before you submit an application for a short code in the US, review the process. The linked document explains how to make sure your application details are compliant.

Short code-specific requirements in the US

Carriers have specific requirements for short code owners, and they must review your use case and campaign details, including specific language, opt-in, and responses, to ensure you’re compliant. Shared short codes are not supported. 

To prepare for a short code application, take these four steps.

  1. Update your Terms and Conditions page to reflect carrier-required language.
  2. If you use a web form for opt-in, make sure it contains carrier-mandated verbiage.
  3. Review your keyword responses. Your short code must accept certain predefined keywords for opt-in, opt-out, and help, and your short code must respond with predefined, approved messages to each keyword.
  4. Submit an application describing your short code usage details and chosen keywords and keyword responses. Check our documentation.

How to ensure your Terms and Conditions page is compliant

Carriers insist that specific language be present on your publicly available Terms and Conditions page. In your short code application, you must submit the URL to your Terms and Conditions page, and it must include the following elements and language:

  • A brief description of what you’re using the short code for. For example:

We send alerts to users who have registered on our site and opted in to receive SMS alerts.

  • A short description of how new users can opt in to your services. You can use keyword, web, or paper opt-ins but you must describe each.
  • Keyword opt-in. We recommend that you use an opt-in keyword associated with your brand or campaign rather than a generic keyword such as START or JOIN. For example:

Text PLIVO to 75486 to subscribe to our notifications services.

  • Web opt-in: Signing up through a web form. Example description:

Users can subscribe to our notifications services while registering an account through the website or changing your notifications preferences in the account settings.

  • Paper opt-in: Signing up from filling out a physical paper form at a store/kiosk. Example description:

Users can subscribe to our notifications services by completing the membership form at XYZ stores.

  • Opt-out and Help/Info keywords in BOLD including the short code digits. For example: 

You can cancel the SMS service at any time by texting "STOP" to XXXXX. When we receive a "STOP" message, we will send one last confirmation message to confirm the subscription status, after which no more SMS messages will be sent.

For more information, text "HELP" to XXXXX. When we receive a “HELP” message, we will provide instructions on how to use this service and how to unsubscribe.

  • The list of participating carriers. For example: 

Participating carriers include AT&T, Boost Mobile, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and UScellular.

  • The following statement, verbatim: 

Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

  • A “message and data rates” statement, accompanied by a “message frequency” statement. For example:

As always, message and data rates may apply for messages sent and received. You will receive approximately three messages per week. If you have questions about your text or data plan, please contact your wireless provider.

  • A link to your privacy policy page.
  • A support email address and phone number that short code message recipients can use to contact you.
Example messaging policy section for a Terms & Conditions page

Plivo offers an SMS messaging service. You can opt in to our services by texting “PLIVO” to 75486. You may choose to opt in to our SMS messaging service at your own discretion, and you may opt out at any time. We will communicate with you via SMS for the purposes of service alerts and notifications. We may also send promotional messages. 

Participating carriers include AT&T, Boost Mobile, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and UScellular. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

As always, message and data rates may apply. You will receive an average of five messages per week, but we may occasionally exceed this number. If you have questions about your text plan or data plan, please contact your wireless provider.

You can cancel the SMS service at any time. To cancel, text "STOP" to 75486. We will respond with a single message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. 

You may, at any time, text "HELP" to 75486 for a brief help message. We will respond with instructions on how to use our service as well as how to unsubscribe. You may also contact Plivo support at +1 (877) 555-1212 or email us at support@plivo.com. You can view our privacy policy.

Guidelines for web-form opt-in

Carriers look for specific language on the opt-in web form. You must provide a link to your web form or a screenshot of the form with the application. The web form must include these five elements:

  1. Opt-out and help keywords in BOLD capital letters.
  2. The short code that will be used to send messages.
  3. The frequency at which the end users will receive messages.
  4. The list of participating carriers.
  5. Link to the Terms and Conditions and privacy policy pages.

For example:

You will receive up to five messages per day. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP to 75486 for help. Text STOP to 75486 to cancel. Supported carriers: AT&T, Boost Mobile, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and UScellular. See our SMS Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Guidelines for keywords

The service must support keywords for opt-in, opt-out, and help. When a user texts any of the supported keywords, the service must have an auto response that contains specific language around the messaging frequency and message rates.

For example:

Keyword: PLIVO

Response: Thank you for subscribing to Plivo’s notification services. Reply HELP for more information. Reply STOP to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary per user.

Keyword: HELP

Response:  Plivo: For HELP, email us at support@plivo.com. Text STOP to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary per user.

Keyword: STOP

Response:  Plivo: You have been unsubscribed from xxx and will no longer receive messages. Reply HELP for help. Reply PLIVO to resume services.

 

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