Due to the manual nature of the 10DLC vetting process, we expect delays of several days for the initial review of a campaign, but it could be longer. Please note this review is done by the downstream Direct Connect Aggregator (DCA), not The Campaign Registry (TCR).
Introduction:
Welcome to our guide on understanding and navigating the 10DLC (10-digit long code) vetting process for businesses engaging in Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging in the United States. In this article, we'll explore the intricacies of the 10DLC vetting process, its importance, and how businesses can successfully navigate it to leverage this messaging channel effectively.
What is the 10DLC Vetting Process?
The 10DLC vetting process is a crucial step that businesses must undergo to ensure compliance and legitimacy when using 10DLC for A2P messaging. This process involves registering with the TCA and downstream DCA, providing details such as business name, industry vertical, intended use of messaging, and sample message content. The goal is to allow carriers to review and assess businesses' compliance with industry regulations, carrier guidelines, and best practices.
Submission:
For 10DLC Campaigns, businesses are required to submit their Brand and Campaign details to the vetting authorities. Fortunately, Ytel has made this process easy to navigate by streamlining the registration process, offering guidance on compliance requirements, and assisting in optimizing messaging campaigns. Leveraging the expertise of Ytel can significantly simplify the vetting process for businesses, ensuring smoother approval and compliance. Please visit: here for step-by-step instructions on submitting your Brand and Campaigns for 10DLC.
Review and Approval Process:
Upon submission of the Brand and Campaign details, the TCR and DCA review the information provided by businesses. The Brand is submitted to the TCR vetting partners who use a proprietary scoring method giving a Brand a Trust Score between 0 - 100.
Once the Brand has a score the Campaign is submitted to the downstream DCA who has access to the Brand score and the additional information provided. The DCA packages up all the submission information and provides it to the mobile carrier review board which approves or denies the Campaign submission.
In the event the Campaign is denied the DCA provides reasons for the rejection. Typical denial responses are:
"unable to verify"
"needs compliant and accurate CTA information"
"reseller/non-compliant KYC"
"Register the Brand Info, not the agency behind the brand"
"lead-gen / Affiliate Marketing prohibited"
"high-risk financial services".
Depending on the denial response code Ytel will re-engage the DCA and provide additional information where applicable.
Once approved, the Business is able to request SMS enablement of the numbers in the Numbers > Manage section. See here for instructions.
Importance of Compliance:
The 10DLC vetting process is critical for preventing spam, fraud, and abuse in A2P messaging. By ensuring businesses adhere to regulatory standards and carrier guidelines, this process promotes transparency, accountability, and trust within the messaging ecosystem. Compliance not only protects businesses from potential penalties but also safeguards the integrity of the communication channel and enhances the user experience for consumers.
Summary:
Navigating the 10DLC vetting process is essential for businesses looking to harness the power of A2P messaging effectively. By understanding the requirements of this process, engaging with vetting service providers, and prioritizing compliance, businesses can establish themselves as trusted entities within the messaging ecosystem. Ultimately, successful navigation of the 10DLC vetting process ensures compliance, legitimacy, and reliability in A2P messaging, leading to enhanced customer engagement and business success.