I want to send a marketing campaign. Is opt-out required?
If your messages are considered as marketing messages, you need to provide a way for your customers to opt-out from future campaigns.
Opt-out Options
Reply STOP To Opt Out
The best option is to select the "From : A Shared Number” option and add the text “opt-out reply STOP” or something similar to the message. If you use your business name as the from/sender, the users won't be able to reply, therefore can't opt-out (see workaround below if you still want to use your business name).
if the customer replies with STOP (case insensitive), we’ll automatically remove them from your contact list and add them to an “opted-out contact list” on your account.
Can I use any other keywords to opt-out my customers?
Yes. By default, the word 'STOP' (case insensitive) is used to indicate that the user wants to opt out. You can change it, or add extra opt-out words on the dashboard under SMS->Settings->Inbound SMS Settings. Just add a new rule and copy the same settings as the existing 'Stop' rule.
Unsubscribe Link
We offer an unsubscribe link option. Instead of instructing a user to opt out of marketing messages by replying STOP, you can choose to add a link into your message. This link takes the form of StopMsg.me/xxxxx and is unique for every recipient. When a recipient visits this link, they are automatically added to your Opt Out list and removed from future marketing campaigns.
This option allows you to adhere to message marketing requirements and provide an opt out feature for customers even when sending from a Business Name that customers cannot reply to.
Please note that adding this link will impact the length of your message slightly, so be sure to factor this in.
Other ways for users to unsubscribe
You must provide a functional unsubscribe or opt-out method for 30 days.
There are a number of ways you can do this - all must be specified in the body of the message.
#1 Reply STOP to a shared number or purchased dedicated number
If you've chosen to send "From: Shared or Dedicated number"
The recipient can reply with the word STOP. As soon as this is received, ClickSend will remove the recipient from a list only until your next message is sent. This method only works if the country supports replies. Please contact us if you're not sure about the ClickSend reply coverage in your country.
If you've chosen to send "From: Alpha Tag"
The recipient won't be able to reply to the message. Instead, you can purchase a ClickSend dedicated number and ask them to sent STOP to this e.g. "opt out STOP to 04xxxxxxxx". You can purchase a number from here: Purchase Dedicated Number
#2 Reply STOP to another number
You may choose to have recipients opt-out by texting STOP to your phone directly. This method requires that the recipient be removed manually from the list within 5 business days, it MUST be a local number. If you don't want to use your own number, you can purchase a dedicated number from us to use.
#3 Alternate method
Recipients may call a number or email to an address that you specify in the body of the message. Again, the recipient must be removed from the list within 5 business days.
Opt-outs - regulations and compliance
- Overview of the importance of adhering to regulatory compliance around opt-outs in SMS messaging campaigns
- Links to legal instruments (by country) that provide information on local regulation
Although SMS is typically the most preferred method of communication for customer support*, it is important that the SMS landscape is regulated to ensure customers are free to determine who can and cannot contact them and that they are free to identify which messages are valuable and which are considered spam.
As a result, many countries, such as the US, the UK, Australia and EU Member States, have distinct regulations regarding texting customers – especially text message marketing.
Below is a list of the various legal instruments that govern text message communication in various countries - and understanding them can help you keep your local or global SMS strategy compliant in different parts of the world:
🇦🇺 Australia
- Spam Act (2003)
🇺🇸 United States
Governing bodies:
- Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA)
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Mobile Marketing Association (MMA)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇪🇺 EU
🇳🇿 New Zealand
IMPORTANT: The content of this article does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any particular matters you or your organisation may have. The information linked to this article is not owned by ClickSend, and as a result, ClickSend is not responsible for the accuracy or any resulting interpretation of the information contained on third party websites. You are responsible for compliance with anti-spam laws in accordance with the Customer Terms, Privacy Policy, and Acceptable Use Policy.
*Source: SMSComparison.com 2020