10DLC Registration: 2024 Guide

The business of sending text messages has undergone significant regulatory changes, especially when 10DLC registration became mandatory in 2023. As of 2024, the 10DLC registration process has undergone a significant overhaul, making it more streamlined and user-friendly for businesses embarking on their A2P messaging journey. 

This refined process is meant to facilitate a quicker and more efficient entry into the 10DLC ecosystem, allowing businesses to leverage this powerful communication tool with greater ease.

Jump to: 

• What is 10DLC Registration
• The 10DLC Registration Process
• Ensuring 10DLC Compliance for Your Campaigns 

What is 10DLC Registration?

10DLC is shorthand for a 10-digit long code. 10DLC offers businesses a cost-effective way to send high-volume, application-to-person (A2P) text messages. Businesses typically use them for marketing purposes, customer service, or informing subscribers about events.

 The 10DLC registration system was specifically designed to reduce text message spam and protect consumers. By embracing the change, companies not only adhere to compliance standards but also benefit from improved message deliverability and engagement rates. 

However, navigating the registration process and understanding carrier-specific policies can be complex. This means integrating 10DLC into your business communication strategy requires careful planning and adherence to best practices.

The 10DLC Registration Process 

If you’re new to SMS marketing (or are using SMS for other purposes), it’s important to note that a registration process is involved. This is a large shift from the past when organizations were more or less able to start sending messages almost immediately.

Although the process may be more time-consuming now, once you complete registration, you can help ensure message delivery and better develop or preserve your reputation. 

Without 10DLC registration, some carriers will not deliver your messages because they will technically consider them "unverified." In other cases, not registering may also increase your costs — some heavy hitters, like AT&T, have implemented pay-per-message fees for unregistered 10DLC messaging. 

The nature of your organization and the intent of your SMS messaging may dictate the registration processes. To get started, you'll need to gather essential documentation, including your business number, Employer Identification Number (EIN), and a link to your website. Once you have these ready, the new Campaign Registry feature will come into play, ensuring that the content of your bulk messages complies with regulatory standards. This addition enhances the security of your communications and expedites the registration process, allowing you to start connecting with your audience more quickly and confidently. With these updates, you can focus on crafting your messages while we handle the compliance and security aspects. That said, here’s a breakdown:

• Your business number or tax ID number (EIN), which confirms that you are a business entity 

• Your country

• Your organization’s website

• Your designation; e.g., a sole proprietor or nonprofit

• Your industry

This will also require a 10DLC “Campaign Registry” so that carriers understand the content of what is being sent (and so that bulk text messages are more secure).

All of these steps, as well as the approval process, may place some small businesses at a disadvantage or delay their marketing efforts. Ultimately, though, 10-digit long codes will be more swift and cost-effective. 10DLC may also increase deliverability and develop greater trust with your audience—one of the keys to customer retention.

Ensuring 10DLC Compliance for Your Campaigns 

With last year’s introduction of 10DLC, regulatory measures have been put in place to ensure that texting campaigns adhere to certain guidelines. Failure to comply can lead to fines and tarnish a brand's reputation. In this section, we'll break down the essential guidelines and best practices to ensure your campaigns remain 10DLC compliant.

10DLC Vetting

The primary goal of campaign vetting is to ensure that your messaging campaigns comply with carrier standards. Whether you need to vet your campaigns largely depends on your carrier’s policies and the nature of your messaging campaigns. 

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.

As of 2024, carriers have introduced enhanced Caller ID authentication measures to bolster the verification process. Businesses will continue to be responsible for ensuring that their campaigns comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the CAN-SPAM Act.

Volume Limitations for 10DLC

There are limitations on the volume of messages that can be sent from a single long code within a specified timeframe. These caps are set to ensure the quality and reliability of the messaging ecosystem, prevent spam, and ensure that messages reach recipients without undermining the network. 

As of 2024, the volume limitations for 10DLC numbers have been expanded, offering greater support for larger messaging campaigns. This adjustment reflects the growing need for businesses to engage in more extensive outreach without compromising compliance. However, it's crucial to monitor your message volume closely; exceeding the established limits can lead to penalties or even suspension of your messaging capabilities. By staying aware of these limitations and adjusting your campaigns accordingly, you can maximize your outreach while ensuring adherence to industry regulations, ultimately fostering a more effective communication strategy. 

Message Types and Their Rules

Understanding the different types of 10DLC messages—promotional, transactional, and informational—is crucial because each has its own rules. Transactional messages, such as order confirmations or shipping updates, are typically exempt from consent requirements but must still adhere to strict content regulations. Promotional messages, which aim to advertise products or services, require explicit consent from recipients to comply with legal standards. Lastly, informational messages, designed to provide relevant updates or insights, generally fall under a more flexible consent framework. However, you must obtain clear consent for promotional messages, as failure to do so can result in penalties and damage your brand's reputation. It's important for businesses to correctly identify their message type and follow all relevant laws and carrier rules. Doing so helps messages reach their target successfully and keeps customers' trust intact.

Elevate Your SMS Marketing with Textedly 

Mobile marketing is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. This is due in part to the fact that consumers want more direct communication with the brands they do business with and the organizations they support. Switching from short codes to 10DLC may seem like a hindrance, but it stands to benefit both consumers and businesses.

Take your SMS campaign to the next level with Textedly. As an industry leader in the world of SMS and MMS, we offer the solutions you need to make an impact on your audience, all on a simple-to-use and economical platform. We also offer exceptional customer support for whatever concerns or questions arise for you about 10DLC registration and more.

Launch your success by giving Textedly’s free trial a spin today.