# What are SMS opt-in best practices?

> Collect explicit, informed opt-in before sending marketing SMS: tell subscribers what they are signing up for, how often you will message, and how to stop; keep an auditable record of when and how consent was given; and confirm the subscription with a single welcome message. Clean, consented opt-in is the foundation of both compliance and deliverability — bought or scraped lists fail on both.

- Canonical URL: https://www.broadnet.me/answers/sms-opt-in-best-practices
- Language: en
- Last reviewed: 2026-07-22
- Publisher: BroadNet (https://www.broadnet.me)

## Make consent explicit and informed

Use a clear opt-in (a checked-by-the-user box, a keyword to a short code, a double opt-in) that states the program, expected frequency, and that message rates may apply. Pre-checked boxes and buried terms do not count. See /answers/sms-compliance-checklist.

## Keep proof

Record the timestamp, source, and exact language of each opt-in, so you can demonstrate consent if challenged and suppress correctly on opt-out. See /answers/what-is-dnc.

## Confirm, then honour STOP

Send one welcome/confirmation message, then process STOP and unsubscribe instantly and permanently. See /answers/how-to-handle-sms-opt-outs.

## Never buy lists

Purchased or scraped numbers have no consent, tank your delivery rate, and expose you to penalties. Grow the list from your own opted-in customers. See /answers/how-to-improve-sms-delivery-rates.

## Related

- [All answers](https://www.broadnet.me/answers)
- [Glossary](https://www.broadnet.me/answers)
- [What are the WhatsApp opt-in rules?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/whatsapp-opt-in-rules)
- [What is an SMS suppression list?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-sms-suppression-list)
- [How do I handle SMS opt-outs?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/how-to-handle-sms-opt-outs)
- [What is double opt-in?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-double-opt-in)
- [What is a DNC (Do Not Call) list?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-dnc)
- [What is on an SMS compliance checklist?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/sms-compliance-checklist)
- [What is promotional SMS?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-promotional-sms)
- [Sender-ID registry](https://www.broadnet.me/operators/sender-id-registry)