SMS Opt-In Language Examples for Business Texting

Good SMS opt-in language says who will text, what kind of messages they will send, roughly how often, that message and data rates may apply, and how to stop, and it is shown at the moment the customer gives their number. For marketing texts, it must also be written consent that is not a condition of purchase. Below are templates you can adapt for each way customers sign up.

Use these as starting points, not legal advice. Change the bracketed parts and make sure the wording matches what you will actually send.

Why the wording matters

Two sets of rules shape opt-in language:

• Federal law. The FCC's TCPA rules (47 CFR § 64.1200) require prior express written consent for telemarketing calls and texts using automated technology. That consent must be a signed written agreement (electronic signatures count) that clearly authorizes the business to send marketing messages to that number and states that consent is not required to buy anything.
• Carrier rules. The CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices, which carriers use when reviewing 10DLC campaigns, expect clear consent, disclosure of message type and frequency, and easy opt-out.

Your opt-in wording is also evidence. If a carrier reviewer or a customer questions a message, the wording and the record of when the person agreed is what you point to.

Elements of a complete disclosure

Element	Example wording
Who is texting	"Northside Dental"
What they will receive	"appointment reminders and replies to your questions"
Frequency	"up to 4 messages per month" or "message frequency varies"
Cost notice	"Msg & data rates may apply."
How to stop	"Reply STOP to opt out."
How to get help	"Reply HELP for help."
Policy links	"See our Privacy Policy and Terms."
Not a condition (marketing)	"Consent is not a condition of purchase."

Template 1: Website form checkbox (service messages)

Place an unchecked box directly beside the phone number field:

[ ] I agree to receive appointment and service text messages from [Business Name] at the number provided. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. See our [Privacy Policy].

Template 2: Website form checkbox (marketing)

Use a separate unchecked box from the service consent:

[ ] Yes, send me promotional text messages from [Business Name], including offers and updates, at the number provided. Messages may be sent using automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Up to [4] msgs/month. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. [Privacy Policy] [Terms].

Separate boxes let customers agree to reminders without agreeing to promotions, and give you clean evidence for each.

Template 3: Verbal consent on a call

Script for staff:

"Can we text you at this number about your appointment, like reminders and arrival times? Standard message rates may apply, and you can reply STOP anytime to stop."

Then record it: the date, the staff member, and the customer's answer, in the customer's record. Verbal consent works for service messages. For marketing, get written consent, such as a link the customer confirms.

Template 4: Keyword opt-in

Advertising copy:

Text JOIN to (555) 010-0100 for [Business Name] specials. Up to 4 msgs/month. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Consent not required to purchase. Terms: [URL].

Confirmation reply:

[Business Name]: You're subscribed to specials, up to 4 msgs/month. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel.

Template 5: Paper or in-person form

By providing my mobile number and signing below, I agree to receive text messages from [Business Name] about [appointments/orders/service]. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out. Signature: ______ Date: ______

Keep the forms, or scan them, so you can show consent later.

Template 6: Customer texts first

No form needed, but your first reply should identify you and give an exit:

Thanks for texting [Business Name]. We'll reply during business hours, [8am–5pm Mon–Fri]. Reply STOP to opt out.

HELP and STOP replies

HELP reply:

[Business Name]: For help call (555) 010-0100 or email [address]. Reply STOP to opt out.

STOP confirmation:

[Business Name]: You're unsubscribed and won't receive more messages. Reply START to resubscribe.

Send one confirmation and nothing else. Under the FCC's consent revocation rules that took effect on April 11, 2025, consumers can revoke consent by any reasonable means; replies such as "stop," "quit," "end," "revoke," "opt out," "cancel" or "unsubscribe" count, and requests must be honored within 10 business days. The FCC delayed a related provision on how far a single opt-out reaches across message types, so watch for updates. Your system should treat these words as opt-outs automatically.

Common opt-in mistakes

• Pre-checked consent boxes.
• One box covering both service and marketing.
• Consent buried in terms of service the customer never sees.
• No mention of frequency or how to stop.
• Collecting numbers for one purpose (receipts) and texting them promotions.
• Buying lists. Purchased numbers do not come with consent to text you.

What to store as proof of consent

For each person who opts in, keep a record you can retrieve quickly:

Record	Example
Phone number	(555) 010-0123
Date and time	2026-09-14 10:32 ET
Method	Website booking form, verbal on call, keyword JOIN
Exact wording shown or read	Copy of the checkbox text or script version
What they agreed to	Service messages, marketing, or both
Opt-out date, if any	2026-11-02 via STOP

When you change your opt-in wording, keep the old version and the date it changed, so you can show what a customer saw when they signed up.

Privacy policy language to add

Reviewers check your privacy policy. Add a short texting section:

Text messaging: If you opt in to texts, we use your mobile number to send the messages you requested. We do not sell or share your mobile number or opt-in data with third parties for their marketing purposes. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP.

Only publish what is true for your business.

Checklist

• Disclosure shown next to the phone field
• Unchecked box, separate for marketing
• Who, what, frequency, rates, STOP, HELP included
• "Consent is not a condition of purchase" on marketing consent
• Privacy policy covers texting
• Records kept of when and how each person agreed
• STOP handled automatically with one confirmation

If your 10DLC campaign was rejected over opt-in, see campaign rejection fixes. For the bigger picture, read what 10DLC is.

Texting with Callata

Callata's messaging policy requires that you only text people who gave permission, for example by texting you first, requesting information, or agreeing on a form or verbally, and that marketing texts have prior express written consent. Callata's suggested example message already includes "Reply STOP to opt out." After a one-time $49 carrier registration, your team gets a shared inbox for your business number with templates and delivery receipts, included in the $99 monthly plan. Get started.