# What is inbound SMS?

> Inbound SMS — also called mobile-originated (MO) SMS — is a message sent by a person to your business number, such as a reply, a keyword, or a STOP request. It arrives at your application through a webhook and is the foundation of two-way messaging: confirmations, support conversations, surveys, keyword campaigns, and opt-out handling all depend on receiving inbound messages.

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

## How it reaches you

When someone texts your number, the mobile-originated message is delivered to your application via a webhook in real time, so you can process it programmatically. See /answers/what-is-mo-vs-mt and /answers/what-is-a-messaging-webhook.

## What number receives it

You need a number capable of receiving: a long code, toll-free number, or short code. A one-way alphanumeric sender ID cannot receive inbound messages. See /answers/what-is-long-code and /answers/what-is-short-code.

## What it enables

Two-way support, reply-to-confirm reminders, surveys, keyword campaigns, and mandatory STOP handling. See /answers/what-is-two-way-messaging and /answers/how-to-handle-sms-opt-outs.

## Related

- [All answers](https://www.broadnet.me/answers)
- [Glossary](https://www.broadnet.me/answers)
- [MO vs MT — what's the difference?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-mo-vs-mt)
- [What is an SMS survey?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-sms-survey)
- [What is an SMS keyword campaign?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-a-keyword-campaign)
- [What is outbound SMS?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-outbound-sms)
- [What is two-way messaging?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-two-way-messaging)
- [What is a messaging webhook?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-a-messaging-webhook)
- [Two-way SMS](https://www.broadnet.me/products/two-way-sms)