When you register to access phone numbers for text messaging, your campaign or organization undergoes an identity verification protocol. Importantly, your campaign or organization’s website will be examined for compliance with specific carrier requirements. Websites that don’t meet the criteria frequently lead to registration rejections and delays. We’ve put together these website guidelines to help position your organization for a seamless registration process.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


Establish an online presence

Carriers want to see evidence that your campaign or organization has an online presence. Websites must include:


1. Description of the campaign or service, i.e. an "About us" section

2. Contact information

3. Privacy policy and SMS terms and conditions


If you don’t have a website, acceptable alternatives at this time include an active social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) or standalone SMS opt-in form and a standalone privacy policy page. External pages such as Secretary of State filings or news articles will not suffice.


Ensure your website works

Websites should be publicly accessible. If your website is still under construction, password protected, or leads to an error page, it won’t meet regulatory requirements.


Build a compliant SMS opt-in form

As part of registration, you need to explain how your organization collects phone numbers. For toll-free registration, include a compliant webform for phone number collection. We also recommend using a similar webform for 10DLC registrations.


Image above: Webforms for collecting phone numbers must contain an optional field to enter a phone number, an optional checkbox to affirm consent to receiving texts, a SMS opt-in terms and conditions blurb, and a link to the privacy policy.


Mobile opt-in flows should include:


  1. An optional, standalone field for users to enter their phone number. 


  1. A checkbox for individuals to confirm their opt-in. This checkbox should not be pre-selected. 


  1. Beneath the checkbox, include a short paragraph explaining SMS opt-in terms and conditions, i.e. “By selecting this checkbox and entering your phone number you are agreeing to receive campaign updates and news from [ORG] …” 


  1. In the terms and conditions blurb, there must be language specifying the frequency that your audience can expect to receive messages, i.e. “you can expect to receive up to X texts per day/week/month”. Please note that using vague terms such as “periodic messaging" will result in rejection on toll-free. Instead, use specific, numbered language such as "no more than 1 text per day" or "at a maximum of 5 times a month".


  1. The terms and conditions blurb should also describe how users can get help, “Text HELP for help", and opt-out, i.e. “Text STOP to cancel.”


  1. Ideally, the terms and conditions blurb will also link directly to the website privacy policy. 


Here’s a sample opt-in form with the necessary elements.


Align your privacy policy with SMS opt-in rules


Mobile carriers will reject your registration if your website doesn’t have a privacy policy. 


Most importantly, the policy must say that phone numbers won't be shared or sold to third parties. 


At minimum, your privacy policy must include this or similar language:


Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties, provided that the foregoing does not apply to sharing (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.


You can use this sample privacy policy as a guide. It explains:


  • Your organization name and contact info

  • What information you collect

  • Why you collect it

  • How long you keep the data

  • How you protect the data

  • How users can opt out


Questions? Book time with us to talk through your registration here.