What are the rules for SMS traffic?
- Prior express written consent from every contact for marketing texts, with records you can produce on request.
- STOP and HELP: honor opt-outs right away and answer HELP requests.
- Quiet hours: send only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the recipient's time zone under the TCPA; some states set tighter windows.
- Sender identification: identify the sender in the message.
- Carrier rules: registered sending (A2P 10DLC or verified toll-free) and content that follows carrier guidelines.
- Offer approval: only offers that list SMS as an allowed source, with approved message copy.
What counts as written consent?
Consent has to be clear and specific: the person agreed in writing, including electronically, to receive marketing texts from the sender, and was told that consent is not a condition of purchase. Keep the record of when and where each contact opted in. If you cannot show how a number opted in, do not text it.
Which offers accept SMS?
Some lead gen, finance and insurance offers accept SMS. Each offer lists its allowed traffic. Start with:
How do SMS publishers get paid?
Publishers are paid by wire, on a weekly schedule. Frequency, minimum and net terms are agreed per publisher and per offer, and they are written into your account before you send traffic.
Frequently asked questions
Can I text numbers from a purchased list?
No. Every number needs prior express written consent to receive marketing texts from you.
Do I need 10DLC registration?
If you send from US long codes, carriers require A2P 10DLC registration. Toll-free numbers need verification instead.
What happens if a contact replies STOP?
Stop texting that number right away and keep it on your opt-out list. Opt-outs must be honored across every offer you run.