# What is an SMS keyword campaign?

> An SMS keyword campaign invites people to text a keyword (like JOIN or SALE) to a short code or number to opt in, get information, or enter a promotion. The inbound keyword triggers an automated response and adds the sender to a consented list. It is a clean, self-service way to collect opt-in and run interactive promotions, and it depends on two-way messaging and a number that can receive replies.

- Canonical URL: https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-a-keyword-campaign
- Language: en
- Last reviewed: 2026-07-22
- Publisher: BroadNet (https://www.broadnet.me)

## How it works

You advertise a keyword and a number; when someone texts the keyword, a webhook routes the inbound message to your system, which sends an automated reply and records the opt-in. See /answers/what-is-two-way-messaging and /answers/what-is-a-messaging-webhook.

## Why it's useful

It captures explicit, self-initiated opt-in — the strongest kind — and powers contests, information requests, and list growth without a form. See /answers/sms-opt-in-best-practices.

## What you need

A number that can receive inbound messages — typically a short code for high volume, or a long/toll-free number — plus keyword handling and STOP support. See /answers/how-to-get-a-short-code and /answers/what-is-short-code.

## Related

- [All answers](https://www.broadnet.me/answers)
- [Glossary](https://www.broadnet.me/answers)
- [What is two-way messaging?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-two-way-messaging)
- [What are SMS opt-in best practices?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/sms-opt-in-best-practices)
- [How do I get an SMS short code?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/how-to-get-a-short-code)
- [What is inbound SMS?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-inbound-sms)
- [Two-way SMS](https://www.broadnet.me/products/two-way-sms)