If your business sends SMS messages from a 10-digit phone number, you’ll need to complete 10DLC registration to stay compliant and ensure your texts get delivered. 10DLC, or 10-digit long code, is a phone number that looks standard but is specifically approved for business texting in the U.S.
As part of new industry rules enacted in July of 2023, all businesses must register their brand and campaigns before using a 10DLC to send texts. But what is 10DLC registration and why is it so important for successful business texting? This guide will walk you through the process, requirements, and common questions so you can start texting with confidence and compliance.
Jump right to:
- What is 10DLC Registration?
- Why is 10DLC Registration Required?
- 10DLC Registration Requirements
- 10DLC Registration Process Steps
- Ensuring 10DLC Compliance for Your Campaigns
- Frequently Asked Questions About 10DLC Registration
<h2 id="What">What is 10DLC Registration?</h2>
10DLC is the process businesses must complete to legally send SMS messages from a 10-digit long code phone number. It ensures that carriers recognize your business as a verified sender, and not as spam.
The registration process for 10DLC involves submitting your business and campaign details to The Campaign Registry (TCR), a centralized database created to validate and track who is sending business texts and why. The goal of the TCR and 10DLC registration is to prevent unwanted or fraudulent messaging.
10DLC registration includes two primary steps:
- Brand Registration. This step verifies your business’ identity. You’ll submit information such as company name, EIN, website, and contact details. Carriers can then use this information to confirm that your business is a real, reputable organization.
- Campaign Registration. After your brand is approved, you’ll register one or more messaging campaigns you plan to execute. Each campaign should outline a specific use case (such as marketing promotions or appointment reminders), include sample messages, and outline how your contacts have opted in to receive your texts.
As your Campaign Service Provider (CSP), Textedly facilitates both steps by working directly with The Campaign Registry and carriers to streamline the registration and approval process.
<h2 id="Why">Why is 10DLC Registration Required?</h2>
The 10DLC registration process was introduced to improve transparency and reduce spam across carrier networks. In the past, businesses could send mass texts using unregistered numbers. The lack of regulation made it easy for scammers to impersonate companies or flood inboxes with unwanted messages.
Requiring businesses to register 10DLC numbers makes texting safer and more reliable for everyone involved. Among other benefits, the registration requirement:
- Prevents fraudulent or misleading SMS campaigns
- Ensures businesses follow opt-in regulations
- Maintains high deliverability rates for reputable senders
- Increases trust in SMS as a communication channel
<h2 id="Requirements">10DLC Registration Requirements</h2>
Before you begin the 10DLC registration process, gather the following information and documents. These are required by The Campaign Registry and your CSP to validate your identity and intended SMS use case.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Company Name. The full legal name of your business or organization.
- Business Address. A valid street address where your company operates.
- Company Website (or Business Facebook Page). A public-facing site that shows your business is real and legitimate.
- Tax ID or EIN (Employer Identification Number). Used to verify your business identity during brand registration.
- Business Contact Information (Email and Phone Number). A primary contact who can be reached about your SMS campaign.
- Use Case Description. A brief explanation of why you’re texting. For example, sending appointment reminders, customer service updates, or promotional offers.
- Sample Messages. A few examples of the exact messages you intend to send. These help carriers vet your campaign for compliance.
- Proof of Opt-In Collection. Documentation showing how your customers consent to receive texts, such as webforms, SMS keywords, or sign-up pages.
- Links to SMS Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Public links to your policies that explain how customer data is used and how recipients can opt out.
<h2 id="Steps">10DLC Registration Process Steps</h2>
Once you’ve gathered the required information, completing your 10DLC registration involves a few easy steps.
- Choose a CSP.
Your Campaign Service Provider is the texting platform that manages your messaging campaigns and submits your registration to TCR. As a registered CSP, Textedly makes the registration and approval process quick and easy.
- Complete Brand Registration.
Submit your company name, EIN, address, website, and contact info. This step enables the TCR to validate that you are a legitimate sender.
- Complete Campaign Registration.
Next, you’ll need to register one or more messaging campaigns. Each campaign represents a specific messaging use case. For example, if you plan to use texting to answer customer service questions and send marketing promotions, you’ll need to submit both campaign use cases here.
You’ll also submit message samples, opt-in proof, and link to your privacy policy and terms.
- Await Approval and Vetting.
After submitting your registration, TCR and mobile carriers will review your brand and campaign information and grant approval.
- Start Sending!
Once approved, you’ll receive a campaign ID and can begin sending texts through your 10DLC number. Most businesses can complete registration in just a few days, though timelines may vary depending on use case and level of vetting required.
<h2 id="Ensure">Ensuring 10DLC Compliance for Your Campaigns</h2>
Once your 10DLC registration is approved, staying compliant with carrier regulations is key to maintaining message deliverability and avoiding penalties. Here are the core compliance practices to follow:
- Always collect opt-ins. Only text contacts who have explicitly opted-in to receive messages.
- Include opt-out instructions. Make sure to include a clear way to unsubscribe, such as “Reply STOP to opt out.”
- Link to your privacy policy and terms. These resources should be accessible and outline how you handle user data. Heads up: Mobile carriers will reject companies that state in these policies that they sell customer data to third parties.
- Don’t text until registration is complete. Unregistered traffic will be blocked by carriers.
- Stick to business hours. Send texts during standard hours to reduce complaints and stay compliant.
- Avoid SHAFT content. SHAFT stands for Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco. These categories are prohibited in 10DLC messaging.
<h2 id="FAQ">Frequently Asked Questions About 10DLC Registration</h2>
Let’s dive into a few commonly asked questions about 10DLC registration.
How Long Does 10DLC Registration Take?
Most 10DLC registrations are completed within a few business days, but the typical timeline is within two weeks.
If your brand or campaign needs further review, the process may take slightly longer. Working with a CSP like Textedly can help to streamline the approval process and reduce delays.
Are There Prohibited Use Cases for 10DLC Texting?
Yes. Certain use cases are blocked or restricted by carriers and cannot be approved through the 10DLC registration process. Some of these use cases include:
- Debt collection or third-party lead generation
- SHAFT content (sex, hate, alcohol, firearms, tobacco)
- Loan or credit repair offers
- Illegal substances or deceptive claims
If you’re unsure whether a use case is allowed, Textedly can help review and guide your campaign strategy.
What is 10DLC Vetting?
The primary goal of campaign vetting is to ensure that your messaging campaigns comply with carrier standards.
In many cases, 10DLC campaign vetting is a mandatory step, especially for campaigns that are expected to have a high volume of messages or are in industries that are more scrutinized for compliance reasons, such as financial services or healthcare.
Undergoing the vetting process not only ensures that your campaigns align with carrier guidelines but also potentially qualifies your messages for improved deliverability rates and lower filtering.
What Happens if You Don’t Register a 10DLC?
If you don’t complete 10DLC registration, your texts will be blocked by U.S. mobile carriers, even if they’re legitimate.
Additionally, platforms like Textedly are required to enforce 10DLC compliance, meaning unregistered users won’t be able to send messages through the platform at all.
Start Sending Compliantly With Textedly
Don’t let unregistered messaging damage your business. Textedly makes 10DLC registration simple, secure, and fully compliant so you can text with confidence.
Alongside guiding users through the registration process, Textedly offers advanced features and tools that make it easy to expand your SMS contact list and reach more potential customers.
Ready to register your 10DLC number and unlock fast, reliable SMS delivery? Try Textedly free today.
