What is 10DLC? What You Need to Know

10DLC, or 10-Digit Long Code, is the method by which businesses, organizations, and campaigns send Application-to-Person messages via standard 10-digit phone numbers. Simply put, it is how organizations message you from a secure, vetted 10-digit number. It is also the mobile carrier’s way of regulating the text messaging space in response to customers’ oft-voiced frustration with the number of spam texts received. It requires organizations and businesses to complete a campaign registration for their entity and each text campaign via The Campaign Registry (TCR).

Here’s why.

The Facts About 10DLC Messaging

When business text messaging was first released, there were very few regulations, and as a result, consumers were bombarded. At first, individual companies created their own regulations and programs. In March of 2022, major mobile carriers came out with a united policy that any business using 10DLC must register with TCR. In order for organizations and businesses to send SMS 10DLC text messages successfully, it requires two registrations:

• Business Registration - businesses, organizations, movements, and brands must register who they are
• Use Case Registration - businesses, organizations, movements, and brands must register the type of messages they will send (notifications, alerts, member engagement)

All mobile carriers have started to ramp up penalties for unregistered numbers. Unregistered campaigns will be blocked altogether. To ensure compliance, all 10DLC campaigns MUST be registered through The Campaign Registry (TCR). When registering, TCR verifies the business is legitimate and then assigns each number a trust score. The higher the score, the better the deliverability.  

Benefits of 10DLC Messaging

10 DLC supports healthier engagement and more meaningful interactions. It highlights the importance of focusing on unique ways to get supporters and audiences to opt-in to text campaigns, makes removing people from text lists a priority, and compels businesses and organizations to be considerate about the frequency and length of SMS 10DLC messages sent.

Businesses, organizations, and campaigns can expect:

• Higher Throughput: 10DLC numbers can send SMS 10DLC message volumes at a higher rate than other texting options.
• Higher Deliverability: Because 10DLC numbers are approved by mobile carriers, messages sent on these numbers are more likely to reach your audiences, guaranteeing the deliverability of all your text messages. And with reputation scores, the higher the score, the better your deliverability.
• Opt-In Channel Protected from Spam: With these regulations limiting spam texts received in the texting space, audiences are more likely to engage via text message and act on CTAs.
• Higher Engagement: With 10DLC supporting two-way text messaging and multiple media types, consumers are much more likely to engage.

Here’s what you need to know.

Who Should Consider Using 10DLC Numbers?

10DLC messaging is designed primarily for commercial use. It offers advantages such as better deliverability compared to standard long codes, more trustworthiness, and lower costs compared to short codes. Here are several use cases that should consider using 10DLC messaging:

1. Businesses Communicating with Customers: Companies that need to send notifications, alerts, reminders, or promotional messages to their customers can benefit from 10DLC.
2. Marketing Agencies: For sending bulk promotional texts or campaign updates to a large customer base, 10DLC provides a reliable and cost-effective platform.
3. Service Providers: Organizations that offer services such as appointment scheduling, reservations, or customer support can use 10DLC messaging for timely and efficient communication.
4. Healthcare Providers: Clinics, hospitals, and health systems can utilize 10DLC for appointment reminders, health tips, and patient follow-ups.
5. Political Campaigns and Advocacy Groups: These groups can use 10DLC messaging to rally supporters, disseminate information about events and initiatives, and mobilize voters.
6. Emergency Services: For alerting communities about emergencies or critical situations like natural disasters, utility outages, or public health crises.
   
   Because 10DLC is regulated and requires registration, it helps to build trust with recipients compared to unregistered or lesser-known sending methods.

What Are the Recommended Uses for 10DLC Numbers? 

10DLC is a valuable asset for businesses aiming to engage with their audience efficiently and reliably through high-volume, A2P 10DLC messaging. Some recommended uses for A2P 10DLC numbers include:

• Customer Service Communications
• Appointment Reminders
• Order Updates and Delivery Notifications
• Personalized Promotions
• Billing and Payment Reminders
• Employee Communications
• Health and Safety Updates
• Survey and Feedback Requests
• Community Engagement
  

   

10DLC numbers are subject to carrier management and compliance requirements, ensuring that messages are delivered reliably and are less likely to be flagged as spam compared to other messaging solutions. This makes 10DLC messaging a preferred choice for businesses looking for effective and compliant communication channels.

How Do I Get Started With 10DLC?

Subtext offers white-glove service for all of our hosts when it comes to being 10DLC compliant. We take the guesswork and legwork out of registering. Once our Customer Success team has the paperwork they need on hand, they handle all aspects of registration, which takes anywhere from 10-14 business days. In the meantime, clients get to focus on building plans for growing their communities and engaging with audiences. If your current texting service isn’t registered, we make it easy to switch to Subtext and become compliant. Book a demo today to see how Subtext can help you reach your goals.