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10DLC glossary

What counts as SMS opt-in consent?

Opt-in
SMS opt-in consent is a person's clear permission to receive texts from a specific business for a specific program. CTIA describes three levels: implied consent for conversations the consumer starts, express consent for informational texts, and express written consent for promotional texts. Consent applies only to the campaign and sender it was given for.

Definition: SMS opt-in consent is a consumer's permission, given through an action like checking a box or texting a keyword, to receive text messages from a named sender for a described program.

Opt-in is the heart of 10DLC review. Carriers want proof that people asked for your texts. Twilio calls opt-in problems a major cause of rejections.

CTIA's 2023 Messaging Principles describe three:

Message type Consent level Example
Conversational implied the consumer texts you first
Informational express given by text, form, website, or verbally
Promotional express written signing a form or checking a box online

CTIA also notes that adding a promotion, like a coupon, to an informational text can make it promotional.

What should a website opt-in include?

Pulling from CTIA and Twilio:

  • The program description, your business name, and the number texts come from.
  • Message frequency and "Message and data rates may apply."
  • How to opt out (STOP) and get help (HELP).
  • Links to your privacy policy and terms.
  • A checkbox that is unchecked by default and not required to finish the form.

Federal TCPA rules add that prior express written consent must say the person is not required to agree as a condition of buying anything. This is not legal advice.

Why it matters for your website

Reviewers often check your website to confirm the opt-in you described. Twilio error 30924 says consent language must sit at or next to the checkbox, not in a linked page. See opt-in form requirements.

Related terms: STOP and HELP keywords, Campaign use case, A2P

Sources

Our sites include an opt-in form built to these rules. See pricing, or test your current form with the free site checker.

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Frequently asked questions

Does checking a box on a website count as written consent?

CTIA gives checking a box online as an example of express written consent for promotional texts. Providers like Twilio also say the box must be unchecked by default and not required to complete a purchase or signup.

Can I text people from a list I bought?

No. CTIA says senders should not use rented, sold, or shared opt-in lists, and that consent is not transferable to another campaign or sender.

What records of opt-in should I keep?

CTIA suggests keeping the timestamp, how the person opted in, the language or action used, the campaign, the IP address, the phone number, and who gave consent.

Is verbal opt-in enough for marketing texts?

Twilio says verbal opt-in is not enough for marketing, which needs written consent. Telnyx's 2026 guide says verbal opt-ins for marketing need double opt-in.

What does a compliant 10DLC opt-in form look like?

How to build an SMS opt-in form reviewers accept: unchecked checkbox, optional consent, disclosure next to the box, privacy and te...

Why was my 10DLC campaign rejected because the opt-in could not be verified?

If reviewers cannot see how people agree to your texts, your 10DLC campaign gets rejected. Learn what proof they need and how to f...

What are STOP and HELP keywords?

STOP and HELP are the text replies people use to opt out of or get help with your SMS program. Learn the keyword rules from CTIA,...

What is a 10DLC campaign use case?

A 10DLC campaign use case is the category you pick for your texts, like Marketing or Account Notifications. See TCR's standard and...

What does A2P mean?

A2P means application-to-person: texts a business sends through software. Learn how CTIA now calls it Non-Consumer messaging and w...

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