Collect SMS Consent with Custom Opt-In Keywords
Overview
Opt-in keywords allow Contacts to subscribe to your brand’s SMS marketing messages by texting a keyword to your toll-free number. Keywords can be used as surveys or quizzes to collect information on Contacts' preferences.
Read on to learn how to create keywords, which words can't be used as keywords, and advice on legal language to include anywhere you advertise keywords.
In This Guide
- Choose a Keyword
- Create a Keyword
- Create a Pre-Populated Opt-In Keyword Link
- Delete a Keyword
- Legal Language for Opt-In Keywords
Choose a Keyword
Keywords should be short, memorable, and relevant to your brand.
The following words cannot be used as custom keywords:
| JOIN | JOINSMS | JOINMMS |
| JOIN2x | STOP | HELP |
| UNSTOP | SUBSCRIBE | OPTIN |
| YES | Y | STOP |
| NO | N | |
Create a Keyword
Create as many opt-in keywords as you need! To create a new keyword:
- Click the Settings icon
- Click SMS
- Click + Keyword
- Enter a keyword in the Keyword field
- Select a List that is used as a trigger in an Automation containing SMS to add Contacts who use the keyword to
- Click Create
Create a Pre-Populated Opt-In Keyword Link
Open any Campaign or Automation email in the Email Builder and click the Content tab to get started.
- Drag an HTML block into your email
- In the HTML window that appears, delete the Insert HTML Here placeholder text
- Paste the following HTML snippet in the HTML window:
<a href="sms:VAR_SMS_PHONE?&body=Send%20this%20text%20to%20subscribe%20to%20SMS%20Updates!VAR_SMS_JOIN">
Text us to sign up for SMS updates!
</a>
Change Text us to sign up for SMS updates! to whatever you'd like to display in the email and include an opt-in keyword to add Contacts to specified Lists!
Delete a Keyword
To delete an opt-in keyword, click the trash can icon next to the keyword > Delete Keyword. Deleted keywords will not pass consent to receive SMS marketing materials from Contacts to Sendlane.
Legal Language for Opt-In Keywords
This section is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice. Contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular question.
As soon as your opt-in keyword is saved and associated with a List used in an Automation, it is ready to start collecting SMS marketing consent opt-ins. Before adding your opt-in keyword to emails, social media, or print assets, make sure you have consent language ready to go.
