When you register your business for 10DLC messaging, you must also agree to the following requirements set forth by the mobile carriers. 

Please note, that this does not constitute legal advice, or a comprehensive list of requirements for compliant messaging campaigns. For more detailed information on running a compliant messaging campaign,  please refer to the CTIA Guidelines: Messaging Principles and Best Practices May 2023 
 

Opt-Out

• You must collect and process subscriber opt-outs. 
• Consumers must be aware of how to opt out of messaging from your business, and must have the ability to opt out of messages at any time. 
• Opt-Out “STOP” Keyword: If any consumer texts STOP, you must opt them out of future SMS communications from the campaign. 
• Opt-Out Message: You must have a message consumers receive after they  opt out of a messaging campaign. The response to the STOP keyword should include the Brand name,  acknowledgement of the opt out request, and confirmation that no further messages will be sent. After this final message is sent, no further messages should be sent to the consumer. 

Opt-In

• You must collect and process subscriber opt-ins
• Opt-In Keyword: You must have a keyword consumers can text to opt in to a campaign (e.g START or SUBSCRIBE)
• Opt-In Message: You must have a message consumers receive after texting a keyword to opt in to a campaign. This message should include your brand name, confirmation of opt-in enrollment to a recurring messaging campaign, how to get help, and a clear description of how to opt out. 
• You may not use opt-in lists that have been rented, sold, or shared to send messages. 

 

Help Requests

• Help Keyword: If a subscriber texts “HELP”, you must reply with a message providing customers directions on contacting the message sender/a support contact, and additional support information. 

 

No Affiliate Marketing

• You may not use any of your messaging campaigns for affiliate marketing.

 

Restricted Businesses and Content

If your business provides services in relation to any of the below categories, you will not be allowed to register for 10DLC messaging. These categories are subject to change as mobile carriers and the direct connect aggregators update their policies. 

SHAFT-C Content: Content related to CBD, cannabis, hemp,  sex, hate, alcohol*, firearms** and tobacco*** are prohibited on 10DLC messaging. This content is also not allowed on your business’s website at all. 

Example: If a healthcare provider’s website has CBD oils on their website, their 10DLC campaign will be denied, even if the text messages they send are not related to cannabis or CBD. 

Other Restricted Content: Gambling, Lead Generation and affiliate marketing, debt collection and forgiveness, “get rich quick” schemes or multi-level marketing, and high risk financial services. Any company related to any of these categories will not be approved to register for 10DLC. 

*Alcohol may be able to be approved if there is proof of a proper age-gate on the business’s website.
**Firearms (guns/ammo) may be able to be approved if there is proof of a proper age-gate on the business’s website. 
***Tobacco may be able to be approved if there is proof of a proper age-gate on the company’s website. Tobacco traffic is prohibited on toll-free, however it is allowed on long code messaging with proper age-gating. Vaping related traffic is prohibited with or without age-gating. 

If your organization provides any services or products in relation to alcohol, tobacco, or firearms you must have a functioning age-gate in place. The age-gate must prompt the user to enter their birthdate and not just be a simple yes or no question.