1) What is “business texting registration”?
To send text messages from your business phone number, phone carriers now require your business to be registered first.
If your registration is still pending or gets rejected:
- You can still receive text messages
- You may not be able to send text messages
- You will not lose any incoming messages
2) Why is this required?
This is a carrier-wide rule — not a Cytracom rule.
Cytracom does not block your messages. Instead, major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile may block outgoing business texts unless your business is registered.
Carriers require registration so they can confirm:
- Your business is legitimate
- You have a valid reason for texting
- Your phone number isn’t being used for spam or misuse
This applies to all phone providers, not just Cytracom.
3) I am not running a texting campaign - do I still have to apply?
Yes.
Even though you may see the word “campaign,” this is not about marketing.
It’s simply the required form that explains:
- what kinds of texts you send, and
- why do you send them
Many businesses use texting only for reminders, confirmations, and customer service — and it still needs to be registered.
4) What do carriers look at when they review registration?
Carriers check three things:
- Who you are (your business information) - this is your BRAND
- What you plan to text (why texting is used and what is sent) - this is your CAMPAIGN
- How customers agree to receive texts (your opt-in language and privacy policy)
All three must match and make sense together.
5) What does Cytracom check before submitting registration?
Before we submit your texting registration, we verify:
- your business name matches your website or public business listing
- your business type is allowed for texting registration
- your website includes the required SMS consent language
Submitting before your website is updated usually results in rejection.
6) What’s the #1 thing that proves your business is compliant?
Your website (or public business page).
Carriers review your website to confirm:
- people clearly agree to receive texts
- you explain how to opt out
- you link to an updated privacy policy
7) What types of texting are not allowed?
Some types of messaging are automatically rejected by carriers, including:
- affiliate/third-party lead generation
- loan advertising
- credit repair
- debt relief or debt collection
- work-from-home / secret shopper / MLM-type programs
- adult content, hate, alcohol, firearms, tobacco, cannabis, or violence-related content
Additionally, sole proprietors will not be approved; you must have an EIN to register.
If your business falls into one of these categories, approval may not be possible.
8) I already have a Privacy Policy — why do I need to update it?
Carriers require specific SMS language that clearly explains:
- your business does not sell or share phone numbers for marketing
- how people can opt out of text messages
You can add this as a section within your existing Privacy Policy.
9) What is an SMS opt-in (or “Call to Action”)?
If your website collects phone numbers, people must see a clear statement explaining:
- what kinds of texts they will receive
- that message/data rates may apply + your messaging frequency
- how to opt out (reply STOP)
- how to get help (reply HELP); including an alternative phone or email
- a link to your Privacy Policy (as well as Terms & Conditions, if separate)
Most websites show this as an optional checkbox near the form submit button.
10) What if we only text internally?
Carriers don’t distinguish between internal and external texting.
If your business phone number sends text messages at all, it must be registered.
11) What if I don’t have a website?
That’s okay — you can use another public business presence, such as:
- a Facebook business page (preferred)
- a public page that shows your business name, address, and phone number
If you don’t have any online public presence, a publicly shared document (like Google Docs) can be used to host your Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions statement.
12) What if a third party manages my website?
The required changes still must be made — this is carrier-wide.
If you control a dedicated page or section of your website, that may be enough.
If no changes can be made at all, approval may not be possible.
13) What about toll-free numbers?
Toll-free texting requires a separate registration and approval process.
Approval is not automatic, but the requirements are the same.
14) What’s the simplest explanation of the process?
To send texts from a business number, there are two steps:
- Business Verification — confirms your business information
- Texting Use Approval — confirms what you text and that customers clearly opt in
We help submit these registrations to reduce delays and avoid resubmission fees.