Recommendations to ensure information is complete and ready for approval when applying for 10DLC registration
Call to Action / Message Flow
Your CTA must clearly describe how a consumer opts in to your campaign, providing explicit consent to receive messages. It’s essential that the CTA is transparent and informs the consumer about the nature of the program. If your campaign utilizes multiple opt-in methods, each must be documented.
Opt-in Via Website (most common)
This method is the most common and offers transparency to carriers, demonstrating that recipients have consented to receive messages. Key components include:
•Phone Number Field: The field should be labeled clearly as “Phone Number” or “Cell Phone Number.” It’s recommended to make this field optional to avoid any implication of forced opt-in.
•Opt-In Language: Place this language adjacent to the phone number field. It must include:
•Company Name: Your business name.
•Message Types: The types of messages users will receive.
•Message Frequency: How often messages will be sent (e.g., “Message frequency varies”).
•Message and Data Rates Disclosure: Inform customers that “Message and data rates may apply.”
•HELP and STOP Instructions: Guidance on how users can get help or opt out (e.g., “Text HELP for help. Text STOP to unsubscribe.”).
•Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions: Links to your Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
•Donation Solicitation Disclosure: For nonprofit organizations, specify whether donations will or will not be solicited via SMS.
•Marketing Disclosure: If applicable, indicate that messages may contain promotional content.
•Checkbox for Consent: Include a checkbox next to the opt-in language to confirm the user’s consent to receive text messages. This checkbox should not be pre-checked and must be optional, ensuring explicit consent.
•Placement of Disclosures: All disclosures must be placed above the ‘submit’ button to ensure subscribers can read them before subscribing.
Example of Compliant Opt-In Language:
“By providing your phone number, you consent to receive text messages from [Organization Name] with news and updates including asks for donations. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP for more information. Text STOP to unsubscribe. [Link to privacy policy here]"
“By providing your phone number, you consent to receive text messages from [Organization Name] with news and updates. Donations will not be asked. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP for more information. Text STOP to unsubscribe. [Link to privacy policy here]"
Carriers require a privacy policy that clearly states how user data is handled. A compliant privacy policy should include the following language or something similar:
“Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third party, except: (1) with vendors, consultants and other service providers who need access to such information to carry out work on our behalf (and who will not use such information for their own purposes); (2) if we believe disclosure is required by any applicable law, rule, or regulation or to comply with law enforcement or legal process.”
This ensures compliance while allowing necessary third-party service providers to process messages on behalf of the campaign.
10DLC Best Practice for Sample Message
Sample messages are required for 10DLC registration and it’s best to provide two sample messages. The sample message must convet the use case of the campaign that is being registered for. These must include organization the message is sent from and opt out language. COS provides options of opt out language.
Examples of sample messages:
Hi this is Harry Corgee running to be your next Tax Assessor in Le Soto county. Polls will be open Tuesday October, 14th from 7 A.M.-7 P.M. Please bring a valid ID and to find your precinct check the Louisiana Secretary of State's website. Reply STOP to quit
Hi this is Sean Bones, thanks for being a part of my campaign from the very beginning, I wanted to thank you for all your hard work and to keep it up. Election day is right around the corner on October 14th and need to keep our foot on the petal! Text STOP to end.