If you’ve ever been bombarded by political campaign texts, fundraising requests, or random one-liners from numbers you don’t recognize, you’ve probably thought:
“Isn’t texting just... spam now?”
We hear this a lot - especially from newsrooms, brands, artists and organizations who care deeply about their audience. If you’re asking that question, it likely means you want to do SMS the right way. And that’s exactly where Subtext comes in.
Let’s unpack why SMS can feel spammy, how Subtext flips that experience into being one of the most trusted, personal ways to connect with your audience, and why it’s all backed by an increasingly important framework called 10DLC.
Text messaging used to be reserved for people you knew. So when a stranger or a political campaign suddenly pops up in your messages with something you never asked for, it feels invasive and rightly so. These unsolicited messages are usually:
In short: spammy. And for many, these are the only examples of SMS they’ve encountered. Just a cold, 6-digit short code and a one-way message. That’s not a conversation. That’s a disruption.
But here’s the good news: not all SMS is created equal.
Subtext is opt-in only. That means no scraping numbers. No surprise blasts. Just real, two-way connections with people who chose to hear from you.
Your subscribers:
Your subscribers aren’t just names on a list. They’ve said, “Yes, I want to hear more from you.” That one decision - to invite, not intrude - makes all the difference.
Subtext messages don’t interrupt. They’re invited.
To help enforce that kind of trusted messaging ecosystem, the mobile industry introduced 10DLC (which stands for 10-Digit Long Code). It’s a carrier-approved registration system where businesses register their brand and campaign traffic for approval, allowing them to send high-volume text messages responsibly and transparently.
Verified sender identity: With 10DLC, all messaging campaigns must be registered and approved. No more anonymous mass texts.
Spam protection: Carriers use 10DLC registration to identify and block bad actors, so your messages don’t get lumped in with spam.
Higher deliverability: Since Subtext is a verified 10DLC provider, your messages are more likely to land successfully and quickly in inboxes.
Accountability: Every message sent through 10DLC is tied to a campaign with declared use cases, which means better transparency and trust.
Subtext handles all of this behind the scenes. You don’t need to navigate 10DLC compliance alone. Our SMS experts offer white-glove registration, so your messaging is secure, ethical, and industry-approved from day one.
When you use Subtext, you’re not just sending messages, you’re building a community based on consent and connection.
That means:
And thanks to 10DLC, your messages aren’t just wanted, they’re trusted and protected, too.
With Subtext, there are multiple frictionless ways to grow your subscriber list and each one meets your audience right where they are.
Here are four proven opt-in methods you can start using today:
1. Custom Landing Pages
Every Subtext host gets a personalized landing page that makes it easy to explain what your text channel is and why someone should subscribe.
Best for: Linking in bios, email newsletters, blog posts, or anywhere you need a clean, sharable URL.
2. QR Codes
QR codes are a fast, scannable way to drive opt-ins, especially for in-person events, printed materials, or presentations.
Best for: Flyers, merch, print ads, OOH, business cards, conferences, or on-screen during a livestream.
3. Embedded Sign-Up Forms
You can embed a clean, customizable sign-up form directly on your website. It keeps people in your ecosystem while making it easy to subscribe in seconds.
Best for: Homepages, article sidebars, checkout pages, or anywhere you want to capture engaged traffic.
4. Keyword-Based Texting
Let your audience opt in simply by texting a keyword to your campaign number — no links, no forms.
Best for: Social, podcasts, live streams, radio, video, or any channel where voice or audio CTAs make sense.
Learn more about best practices for getting your audience to opt into your texts with Subtext's Guide to Converting Your Audience.
Worried your texts might still come off a little cold or corporate? Here are a few simple ways to keep things warm, conversational, and not spammy:
1. Keep It Casual, Keep It Real
Write like you talk. A quick text can feel like a private DM if it sounds like you. Don’t overthink it, just be yourself.
2. Introduce Yourself (Every Time)
Start your messages with “Hey, it’s [Your Name]” or sign off with your name. That human touch makes a big difference.
3. Use a Custom Contact Card
Subtext makes it easy for subscribers to save your number with a custom contact card—complete with your name, photo, and brand. That way, your texts always show up as you, not as a mystery number. (And bonus: no one ever has to ask “who’s this?” again.)
Get more texting tips from Subtext's Beginner's Guide To Success.
Opt-in SMS with Subtext isn’t about volume, it’s about value. It’s not about reach, it’s about relationships.
By combining opt-in only messaging, casual personal tone, custom contact cards, and trusted 10DLC infrastructure, Subtext ensures your texts never feel like spam, they feel like you.
Check out how Subtext compares to other opt-in only channels like email.
We get the hesitation. No one wants to be “that brand” or “that person” who shows up uninvited. But when it’s done right - opted in, two-way, and backed by 10DLC -SMS becomes one of the most powerful, intimate ways to connect.
So let’s clear this up once and for all: Texting through Subtext isn’t spam.
Interested in learning more about Subtext? Book a demo with one of our SMS experts.