Understanding campaigns
A campaign describes your mobile messaging program in detail, including the user experience and promotion method. Campaigns undergo compliance review to meet CTIA guidelines and carrier requirements.
What is a campaign?
A campaign is a detailed description of a specific messaging program tied to a brand and number type. It tells carriers what you message about, frequency, message content, and opt-in/opt-out methods.
Why campaigns are required [#why-campaigns-are-required-what-is-a-campaign]
- Carrier approval: Campaigns must be approved by carriers before traffic can be sent
- Compliance verification: Ensures your program meets TCPA, CTIA, and carrier rules
- Use case tracking: Campaigns map your specific use cases to carrier regulations
- Message control: Helps maintain message quality and reduce spam
Campaign information required [#campaign-information-required-what-is-a-campaign]
When creating a campaign, you will provide the following information.
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Campaign name | For example, "Order Confirmations" or "Weekly Newsletter" |
| Channel | SMS |
| Number type | 10DLC, Short Code, or Toll-Free |
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Use case | Transactional, Marketing, Notification, Political, and so on |
| Program description | Detailed description of what the program does |
| Expected message volume | Estimated number of messages per month |
| Message frequency | How often messages are sent |
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Sample messages | 2 to 3 examples that must match actual messages you will send |
| Keywords | STOP, HELP, and confirmation message text |
| Call-to-action | How users opt in |
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Opt-in flow | How users join the program |
| Opt-out process | How users leave the program |
| Support information | Contact details for customers |
Campaign approval timeline [#campaign-approval-timeline-what-is-a-campaign]
Campaign approval timelines vary by number type.
| Number type | Timeline | Process |
|---|---|---|
| 10DLC | 1 to 3 days | Centralized TCR process |
| Short Code | 2 to 4 weeks | Individual carrier approval |
| Toll-Free | 1 to 5 days | Lighter verification |
Create and register campaigns
Create campaigns through the US Sender Registration web interface. For complete step-by-step instructions, see the getting-started guide for your number type.
Campaign rejection and recovery
If your campaign is rejected, you will receive an error code and rejection reason.
Recovery steps:
- Look up your error code in the rejection reference
- Review the rejection reason and understand what did not meet requirements
- Address the issues (update message samples, brand information, opt-in process, and so on)
- Create a new campaign with the corrected information
- Resubmit for approval
Campaign rejection error codes reference. Complete technical reference for all rejection codes (1000 to 11000), causes, and remediation steps.
If you believe your campaign was rejected in error, you may be eligible to appeal. Contact Infobip support ↗ with your campaign ID and rejection details.
Importing external campaigns
If you have a campaign registered with another provider (such as TCR for 10DLC), or if you are a direct CSP registering campaigns in TCR, you will need to import it into Infobip to run your traffic. For complete import instructions, see the getting-started guide for your number type.
Political campaigns
For campaigns that send political messaging, additional brand verification and vetting requirements apply.
Political campaigns guide. Complete setup and verification process for political messaging (501(c) and 527 organizations).
Campaign specifics by number type
Each number type has different compliance requirements and approval processes.
Campaign statuses
After submission, your campaign moves through statuses as it progresses toward approval. Status names and timelines vary by number type.
After campaign approval
Once your campaign is Registered, you can:
- Start sending messages immediately
- Use the associated number for traffic
- Monitor delivery and engagement
- Manage opt-ins and opt-outs
Understanding 10DLC
TCR registration and approval for 10-digit numbers.
Understanding short code
Individual carrier approval for high-volume 5 to 6 digit numbers.
Understanding toll-free
TFN verification for customer support and inbound flows.
USA SMS compliance requirements
CTIA standards, consent model, and carrier compliance.