10DLC explained for business texting

If you send business texts from a regular 10-digit US number, you have probably seen the term 10DLC. It stands for 10-digit long code, and it describes the way carriers treat application-to-person (A2P) messaging sent from local numbers. This article explains the idea in plain language. It is general information, not legal advice, and carrier rules change, so always check current requirements.

What 10DLC is and why it exists

Carriers want to know who is sending business messages and why. Registration gives them that information. When you register, you tell carriers who your business is and what you intend to send, and they use that to decide how your traffic is treated. Messages from unregistered or misrepresented traffic may be filtered or blocked.

Brand registration

The first part is registering your brand, which describes your business: its legal name, type of organisation, address and similar details. Accuracy matters. Details that do not match public records can cause delays or rejection, so use your legal business information exactly as it appears on official documents.

Campaign registration

The second part is registering a campaign, which describes how you will use messaging. You explain the use case (for example appointment reminders or customer care), give sample messages and describe how customers opt in. Be specific and honest. Vague or inaccurate descriptions are a common reason campaigns are rejected or later filtered.

Consent and opt-out are part of the rules

Registration does not replace consent. You still need permission from the people you text, a way for them to opt out and a record of when and how they agreed. Standard stop words include STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END and QUIT, and your platform should honour them automatically. HELP should return information on how to get assistance. After an opt-out, do not message that person again unless they clearly opt back in.

What to prepare before you register

Gather your legal business name, tax or registration details, website and contact information. Write a short, plain description of what you will send, two or three realistic sample messages that include your business name, and a clear description of your opt-in flow, such as a web form checkbox or a keyword text-in. Make sure your website and privacy policy match what you describe.

Toll-free numbers follow a similar idea

Where toll-free texting is offered, carriers typically require toll-free verification before messages are accepted. The principle is the same: tell carriers who you are and what you will send. On MyProCaller, toll-free numbers are inbound only for voice, and the product pages explain what messaging options are available today.

How MyProCaller fits in

MyProCaller requires business verification before you can send outbound SMS, and the SMS Policy covers consent, STOP and HELP handling, quiet hours, 10DLC and toll-free verification. Texting is available on the Voice & Messaging line from $35 per user per month. Start with verification, then register your messaging, then send.