What are alpha tags
An alpha tag (short for alphanumeric sender ID) is a custom sender ID name, such as your business name. Alpha tags are often used by businesses to promote brand recognition and trust.
When to choose them
Use an alpha tag if:
you want your messages to come from a recognizable brand name instead of an anonymous number. This builds credibility and helps customers instantly identify your business.
you only need one-way messaging. Alpha tags don’t support replies from your recipients.
you send SMS to countries that support alpha tags
Register a global alpha tag
Global alpha tags can be used in all countries which allow alpha tags without additional registration. If you are sending to a country which does not require network registration for alpha tags you can easily register via the API or via the dashboard: In countries requiring additional verification, registration with local network operators may be necessary. Specific conditions and approval processes are outlined on the ClickSend Dashboard.
Log into the Dashboard
Navigate to Sender IDs > Manage Senders > Alpha Tags
In the alpha tags section, click on the Add button to register a new alpha tag
Follow the on-screen prompts
Once you've submitted your registration, it will be sent to our team to review and approve. This typically takes around 24 hours. Once your alpha tag has been approved, you can start using it to send via Quick SMS and SMS Campaign.
We will notify you via email if registration was successful or if we need more information before we can proceed.
Using Alpha Tags Across Multiple Countries
The same alpha tag can be used for multiple destinations under certain conditions:
Global alpha tags are valid in countries that do not mandate additional local registration.
For regions requiring local registration, like Nigeria, the approval process must be completed first, after which the tag might also apply globally to compatible areas.
Always verify the specific rules of your target country to ensure compliance.
Register a local alpha tag
A local alpha tag can only be used in the country you registered it. These alpha tags always require additional registration. Examples of such countries include Nigeria and regions in the Middle East, where local registration steps must be followed for usage approval.
If you are sending to a country which requires network registration for alpha tags simply contact us via our 24/7 chat support. We'll guide you through the process. You may need to provide documentation such as your business details, example messages, and the type of content being sent to ensure compliance.
The information we need varies by country, but some examples include:
The alpha tag you'd like to use.
Your business details.
Your website URL.
Examples of the messages you'll send.
The type of content you'll be sent.
Banned alpha tags
Unfortunately, smishing and phishing are on the rise. To help keep our customers safe, we have put rules and restrictions in place. We don't allow the registration of alpha tags that are generic or associated with well-known trademarks.
If the alpha tag you wish to use is on the list but you have a legitimate use case please contact support.
Find a list of prohibited generic alpha tags below:
1TimePin
2FA
Accept
Access
Account
Accounts
Active
Admin
Advice
Alert
Allow
Allowance
App
Appointment
Approve
Approved
Auth
AuthMsg
Authorise
Aware
Bank
Banking
Bill
Billing
Call
Card
Caution
Certify
Check
CloudOTP
Code
Collect
Collection
Confirm
Contact
Control
Courier
Delay
Deliver
Delivery
DoNotReply
Energy
FollowUp
Fraud
Help
Info
InfoSMS
ISA
Key
Loan
Logistics
LogMeln
Logon
Malware
Message
Mobile
Mortgage
MSG
MsgAuth
Network
NoReply
Notice
Notify
OneTimePin
Order
OTP
OTPSMS
Overdue
Package
Parcel
Pay
Payment
PhoneCode
Phone Code
Pin
PinCode
Post
Protocol
Purchase
Ratify
Rebate
Recall
Receipt
Refund
Reminder
Repayment
Reply
Reschedule
Response
Results
Save
Saving
Scam
Schedule
Secure
Security
Service
Shipping
Sign
Signin
Signon
SMS
SMSAuth
SMSCode
SMSInfo
SMSOTP
SMSVerify
Support
System
Test
Text
Trace
Track
Tracking
Trust
TXT
Update
Updates
Validate
Verify
VerifyMe
VerifySMS
Virus
Warn
Warning
Wholesale
Winner