10DLC Registration Guide

10DLC Compliance Made Simple

Frequently Asked Questions

Confused about 10DLC? You’re not alone. This page breaks down what 10DLC is, why carriers require registration, and how your business can stay compliant.

10DLC Overview

What is 10DLC Registration?

10DLC stands for “10-Digit Long Code” — in simple terms, it’s your business’s landline or local phone number used for texting customers.

To use it for texting, mobile carriers now require businesses to register their texting “campaigns” and get approval before any messages can be sent. It’s their way of making sure messages are legitimate and not spam.

Why was 10DLC Registration introduced?

Mobile carriers launched 10DLC to protect consumers from spam and ensure that business messaging is transparent, compliant, and safe. It helps carriers identify who is sending messages and why.

Do I have to register for 10DLC?

Yes. If you’re a business sending texts to U.S. phone numbers using a landline number, you are required to register. This applies whether you’re sending appointment reminders, service notifications, or promotional messages.

What happens if I do not register?

Businesses that fail to register will not be permitted to send & receive messages from their landline number on participating carrier networks. This includes but not limited to AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, U.S. Cellular (approximately 85–90% of the U.S. mobile services market).

What content is not allowed under 10DLC rules?

Carriers have strict content restrictions for 10DLC messaging to protect consumers and reduce spam. Certain types of content are explicitly prohibited.

Disallowed content includes:

SHAFT content: Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco
Cannabis/CBD, even in states where it’s legal
Gambling or betting (including fantasy sports, unless carrier-approved)
Loan offers from unlicensed entities or payday lenders
Debt consolidation or debt forgiveness programs
Affiliate marketing, lead generation funnels, or shared short links that obscure final destinations
Misleading, abusive, or deceptive content
Messages with no clear opt-out option

Even if your business is legally allowed to offer certain services, that doesn’t guarantee those messages are allowed through carrier networks. When in doubt, it’s best to check with your provider before submitting a campaign.

Registration Overview

How does it work?

You’ll need to provide your business information (like name, website, and tax ID), describe how you collect consent to text customers, share sample messages, and choose your messaging use case.

What is White Glove Registration?

White glove registration means we handle the heavy lifting for you. While not every provider offers it, TextBetter does.

10DLC registration can be confusing—there are forms, carrier rules, sample messages, and opt-in language that all need to be just right. A lot of businesses get stuck or face rejections because the process isn’t always straightforward.

With white glove registration, we guide you every step of the way. We simplify and speed things up by taking the guesswork out—helping you avoid delays, rejections, and frustration. We make sure your campaign gets submitted properly the first time.

How long does it take to get approved?

If you know what you’re doing, approval usually takes around 5–7 business days. But for many businesses, the process can take several weeks if details are missing or submitted incorrectly. That’s why we offer White Glove Registration—we handle everything from start to finish, taking the guesswork out and helping you avoid delays and rejections

Can my registration be rejected?

Yes—and it’s more common than you might expect. Registrations can be rejected for a wide range of reasons: unclear opt-in language, inconsistent or vague message samples, missing business information, use case mismatches, or even formatting issues. Carriers review submissions carefully, and any small mistake can trigger a denial.

Has registration become more strict recently?

Yes. Any campaigns approved before 2025 were grandfathered in under older, more lenient rules. But standards have tightened significantly. Carriers now enforce stricter review processes, and older campaigns may be flagged and required to re-register under current compliance guidelines.

10DLC Campaign Questions

What is a 10DLC campaign?

A 10DLC campaign is a way to tell mobile carriers what kind of text messages your business will be sending and why. It’s tied to a specific use case—like sending order delivery updates, school notifications, or customer support messages.

Each campaign must reflect a single purpose. A few examples include:

A customer care campaign might include responses to support questions or service requests.
A delivery notification campaign could be used to alert customers when their package is on the way.
A fraud alert campaign would cover messages that warn users about suspicious activity on their account.
A marketing campaign would include promotional texts, like special offers or event announcements.

Carriers require you to register each campaign type separately to ensure messages are legitimate, relevant, and compliant with their standards.

What is a "call to action" and why is it required?

A call to action (CTA) is what carriers call the language you use to invite customers to sign up for texts—for example: “Text JOIN to 12345 to receive updates.” It must clearly tell the customer what they’re signing up for and how they’re giving permission to receive messages. This is required in your opt-in process and must be submitted when registering a campaign.

What is “message flow” and what do I need to provide?

Message flow is how a customer opts in to receive your messages—step by step. Carriers want to see exactly how someone gets added to your texting list, whether through a web form, in-person sign-up, or text keyword. You need to show them what the customer sees at each stage, including the CTA and confirmation message.

What should my opt-in disclaimer include?

Carrier requirements for opt-in disclaimers are constantly evolving, and your specific language may vary depending on your industry and use case. For example, if you’re in healthcare, it’s important to include a statement clarifying that signing up for texts is not a condition of receiving care.

That said, here are the general components most campaigns should include:

The name of your business and a clear explanation of what types of messages the customer will receive
A note about message frequency (e.g., “Message frequency may vary”)
Disclosure that message and data rates may apply
Instructions on how to opt out (e.g., “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”) and how to get help (e.g., “Reply HELP for help”)
A link to your privacy policy or clear direction on how to access it

10DLC Brand Questions

What is a “Brand” in 10DLC registration?

In the context of 10DLC, a “Brand” refers to your business or organization. When you register a Brand, you’re essentially verifying your identity with The Campaign Registry (TCR), so carriers know who is sending the messages.

Why do I need to register my Brand?

Carriers require Brand registration to reduce spam and ensure accountability. It tells carriers who you are, what kind of messages you’re sending, and helps determine your message throughput (how fast your texts get delivered).

What information do I need to register my Brand?

You’ll need to provide:

Legal business name
Tax ID (EIN or international equivalent)
Business type and industry
Business address
Website URL
Contact information

This information must match official business records exactly or your registration may fail.

Do I need to register a new Brand for every number or campaign?

No. One Brand registration covers your entire business. Once your Brand is approved, you can register multiple campaigns under it, and assign numbers to those campaigns.

10DLC White Glove Registration

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10DLC Blog Library

Learn More About 10DLC

Explore recent posts covering everything from opt-in language to campaign rejection reasons and how to stay compliant