Short Codes 101 | CTIA Shortcodes (2024)

Short codes are easy to remember, have open rates above 90%, enjoy a high degree of consumer trust, and have very high deliverability relative to other messaging platforms.

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Why a Short Code?

Reach 98% of your customers with short codes

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Easy to Remember

With only five or six digits, short codes are easier for users to remember and type.

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Trust & Consumer Confidence

Consumers trust short codes thanks to industry oversight and best practices.

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The Highest Throughput Rates

Short codes have one of the highest throughput rates to support robust messaging needs.

How it works

Get started with short codes

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Choose

You have the option of choosing a randomly generated code, or a “custom” code that is a five or six digit number.

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Lease

Lease your short code and find a partner to help bring your campaign to life.

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Launch

Finally, develop your campaign, then submit using your partner. Once your campaign has been approved you will be ready to launch.

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Affordable pricing and easy payment options

Short code pricing is straightforward, with flexible payment options to fit your budget cycle. For a Select short code – one you choose yourself – the lease rate is $1,000 per month. For a Random code – one assigned to you by the system – the lease rate is $500 per month. Read More

Once the code is leased from usshortcodes.com, you gain the exclusive right to use your code throughout your lease period. These fees are non-refundable regardless of whether any wireless service provider agrees to activate your code. Payment must be received in full for the duration of the registration within 60 days of your order or your code will be placed back in the available pool.Important: You need a Short Code Registry account in order to get a code. Once set up, select "Apply for New Short Code" and complete the order form. You can purchase up to 20 short codes on a single order, each leased for 3-, 6-, or 12-month terms.

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About CTIA & iconectiv

Short codes are administered by the Common Short Code Administration (CSCA), an LLC governed by CTIA, the wireless trade association, on behalf of U.S. wireless carriers. Technical aspects of the registry are supported by CTIA’s partner, iconectiv.

Case Studies

See how companies are using short codes

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Short Codes for Scheduling and Engagement For service businesses, short codes are a powerful way to keep customers booked, engaged, and coming back.
Short Codes for Service Notifications When the power goes out, people want information right away, but they’re not always able to check an online website. Emails and voicemails are soon dated, and phone hotlines can quickly get overloaded during a crisis.
Short Codes for Student Support For reaching out across large communities, like a university, short codes enable personalized, timely notifications.
Short Codes for Voting For situations requiring broad access, quick scalability, and ease of use, short codes offer a reliable, fast, and secure solution.
Short Codes for Workforce Communication For time-sensitive tasks like scheduling employee shifts, short codes make communications more efficient and effective.
Short Codes in Public Health Campaigns When the vaccination effort started, too many shots were going to waste due to irregular supply and canceled appointments. Dr. B solved this problem by connecting people who want vaccines with shots near them.

Frequently asked questions

What is a short code?

A short code is a five- or six-digit number that can be used to send and receive text messages. Companies use these codes to bring customers into the branded experience through information updates, alerts, loyalty programs, surveys, sweepstakes, and coupon offers. Short codes have high deliverability and open rates, are easy to remember, and enjoy a high level of trust from consumers thanks to federal regulations, industry oversight and best practices that keep spam rates low.

What is the Short Code Registry?

The Short Code Registry is a single database of available, reserved and registered codes. CTIA, the wireless trade association, oversees and administers the Short Code Registry. CTIA partner iconectiv provides technical support for registry operations.

How do I lease a short code?

First, set up a Short Code Registry account, log in and complete a short code lease application.

How do I implement a campaign?

There are a few companies such as your wireless service provider that work behind the scenes to ensure your message reaches your customer. Before reaching that point, most lessees select an application provider to help implement their campaign. The application provider will help construct their message and will coordinate with other members of the messaging ecosystem such as aggregators who work with wireless service providers to deliver your text messages to your customers.

How do I report spam?

Consumers have a way to report spam messages. If you receive unsolicited text messages, forward the text message to short code 7726, which spells “SPAM” on a mobile phone, and follow the prompts.

Get Started With Short Codes

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Short Codes 101 | CTIA Shortcodes (2024)
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