10DLC registration and compliance guide

Chris: All right, quick question. Do you text your customers from your business phone number? For example, for things like appointment reminders, order updates, those kinds of things?

Jarvis: A lot of businesses do.

Chris: Yeah, and here's the thing. The carriers want to know who you are before those texts go through. I'm Chris with Accent, and this is Jarvis, my AI assistant.

Jarvis: Hi, everyone. I'll help with the details.

Chris: So today we're talking about 10DLC. What it is, why it's required, and how you get registered through Accent. Jarvis, let's start with the name. Why is it called 10DLC, and what does that stand for?

Jarvis: 10DLC stands for ten-digit long code. It's just a standard local phone number, used for business texting.

Chris: Right, and you'll also hear it called A2P, which is application-to-person messaging. Basically, a business system or a business app texting a real person or a real phone number.

Jarvis: Compared with short codes, those five-digit numbers, 10DLC is more affordable and quicker to set up.

Chris: Yeah, and honestly, customers recognize a regular ten-digit number better than a short code. It just feels more trustworthy and legitimate.

Jarvis: So why can't you just start texting from one?

Chris: Well, as text messaging grew, so did spam messages and fraud. Everybody's received those. So the U.S. wireless carriers stepped up the scrutiny to protect consumers.

Jarvis: Which means businesses texting from local numbers now register their brand and their campaigns.

Chris: Exactly. Since March 2022, carriers have added surcharges for unregistered traffic. And since September 30, 2024, Accent has required all texting traffic to be registered to a brand and a campaign.

Jarvis: Registered with whom, though?

Chris: Good question. It goes to The Campaign Registry. That's a third-party organization the wireless carriers designated to manage this.

Jarvis: And two things get registered. Your brand is your business identity, so your legal name, tax ID and address.

Chris: And your campaign is just what you're texting people about and why. Customer care, appointment reminders, that kind of thing. Whatever the case may be.

Jarvis: The registry also gives your brand a trust score, and carriers use that when they set your messaging limits.

Chris: So it actually pays to get this right. It's pretty important. Which brings us to how Accent can help you. With Accent, you fill out one registration form for your brand and your first campaign.

Jarvis: And then?

Chris: Then our team handles the registration and connects your campaign to your phone numbers. You don't have to deal with the registry yourself.

Jarvis: And if you're already registered and need another campaign, just reach out to the team.

Chris: Yep. Now, there are a few things you'll want handy before you start.

Jarvis: Here's the list. Your legal business name, your tax ID or EIN, your physical address and contact info.

Chris: Then the campaign side. A description of the campaign and the use case, some sample messages, and how your customers opt in and opt out.

Jarvis: Get those together and the form goes a lot faster.

Chris: And it helps you avoid the frustrating process of a campaign getting rejected and slowing down your ability to message customers and phone numbers.

Jarvis: So what usually gets a campaign rejected?

Chris: Most of it comes down to a few things. First, show clearly how people opt in. It has to be explicit, not buried in your terms and conditions.

Jarvis: And include opt-out language, like 'Reply STOP to unsubscribe.'

Chris: On your website, you'll need a privacy policy that states you won't share opt-in data with third parties as well.

Jarvis: Register the actual sender, not your software provider.

Chris: And some content just isn't allowed on 10DLC at all, like cannabis or CBD.

Jarvis: One more thing. There's a fee for each vetting, so fix everything before you resubmit.

Chris: Yeah, you're right. The Campaign Registry charges fees for each round of vetting, and you don't want to resubmit through multiple rounds and have multiple charges stack up. So, let's wrap this all up.

Jarvis: If someone only remembers three things from this, what should they be?

Chris: First, if you text customers from a ten-digit phone number, you need to register your brand and your campaign. Second, have your business details and sample messages ready before you start. And third, make your opt-in and opt-out crystal clear.

Jarvis: Good list. Just keep in mind, registration doesn't guarantee approval or higher limits, but a complete, accurate application gives you the best start. The step-by-step guide is on accentvoice.com. Look for the 10DLC registration guide.

Chris: Or contact the team at Accent, and learn how you can move your numbers to us and how we can help you manage this whole process, A to Z. Jarvis, thanks again for helping out with today's topic.

Jarvis: Anytime, Chris. Thanks, everyone, for spending a few minutes with us.

Chris: And this is Chris. Thanks so much for watching. Have a great day.