SMS keywords and compliance reference
Every SMS program must honor a small set of standard keywords and follow consent rules before a subscriber can be messaged. This page lists the reserved keywords the platform recognizes and summarizes the opt-in, consent, and disclosure obligations an Author is responsible for when running an SMS Broadcast. Keyword handling is automatic — a subscriber who replies STOP is opted out immediately, without waiting for you.
Reference
| Keyword | Type | Subscriber intent | Platform response |
|---|---|---|---|
STOP | Opt-out | End all messages | Subscriber suppressed; a single confirmation reply is sent, then no further messages |
UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT | Opt-out (aliases) | End all messages | Treated the same as STOP |
HELP, INFO | Help | Request program info | Auto-reply with program name and support contact (confirm the exact text in your account) |
START, YES, UNSTOP | Opt-in / resume | Rejoin after opting out | Subscriber re-subscribed; messaging resumes |
Custom join word (e.g. NEWS) | Opt-in keyword | Join a program by texting a word | Adds the subscriber to the mapped audience (configure per program) |
Notes
- Reserved keywords always win. STOP, HELP, and their aliases are honored regardless of casing, surrounding punctuation, or extra spaces. You cannot repurpose them as custom join words.
- Consent must exist before the first message. Keep a record of how and when each subscriber opted in (web form, texted keyword, point-of-sale, etc.). Confirm your program's registration and sender ID requirements before broadcasting.
- Every program needs disclosures. At opt-in, state the program name, message frequency, that message and data rates may apply, and how to get HELP or STOP.
- Opt-outs are account-wide per sender. Once a subscriber sends STOP, they stay suppressed until they explicitly opt back in — imports do not override this.
- Exact keyword sets and auto-reply wording can vary by region and carrier (confirm the exact values in your account).
Related
Canonical terms: Author, Edition, Folder (Project Folder), Broadcast. See the Glossary.