SMS Terms and Conditions Template

Published by Dennis Beatty 2026-09-15

When you register a 10DLC campaign or verify a toll-free number, you will be asked to provide a public URL for your SMS terms and conditions. These terms explain what subscribers are signing up for and how your messaging program works.

What should SMS terms and conditions include?

Your SMS terms and conditions should include:

An explanation of the types of messages you will send
How subscribers can opt out (for example, by texting STOP) and opt back in (for example, by texting START)
How subscribers can get help (for example, by texting HELP or contacting your support email)
A statement that carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages
A statement that message and data rates may apply
The expected message frequency, such as “Message frequency varies”
A link to your privacy policy

These details give subscribers clear expectations and support the consumer choice and control principles described in the CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices.

Sample SMS Terms and Conditions

This is the SMS terms and conditions template we provide to Surge customers. Use it as a starting point, replace every placeholder in curly braces, and adjust it so it accurately describes your messaging program and business.

If your brand name differs from your legal business name, include the optional preamble so subscribers can clearly identify who is messaging them. This sample is general information, not legal advice; have your legal counsel review your final terms for the laws and regulations that apply to your organization.

<h1>{{BRAND NAME}} SMS Terms and Conditions</h1>

<p>Effective Date: {{DATE}}</p>

<p>
  {{If BRAND NAME is different from LEGAL NAME, we need to make that clear, so
  include the following as a preamble: "These terms and conditions apply to
  messages sent to and from {{BRAND LEGAL NAME}} DBA {{BRAND NAME}}."}}
</p>

<ol>
  <li>{{EXPLANATION OF TYPES OF MESSAGES THAT WILL BE SENT}}</li>
  <li>
    You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text "STOP". After you send
    the SMS message "STOP" to us, we will send you an SMS message to confirm
    that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive SMS
    messages from us. If you want to join again, send the SMS message "START"
    and we will start sending SMS messages to you again.
  </li>
  <li>
    If you are experiencing issues with the messaging program you can reply with
    the keyword HELP for more assistance, or you can get help directly at
    {{BRAND EMAIL}}.
  </li>
  <li>Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.</li>
  <li>
    As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you
    from us and to us from you. Message frequency varies. If you have any
    questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your
    wireless provider.
  </li>
  <li>
    If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read our privacy policy:
    {{PRIVACY POLICY URL}}
  </li>
</ol>

# {{BRAND NAME}} SMS Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: {{DATE}}

{{If BRAND NAME is different from LEGAL NAME, we need to make that clear, so
include the following as a preamble: "These terms and conditions apply to
messages sent to and from {{BRAND LEGAL NAME}} DBA {{BRAND NAME}}."}}

1. {{EXPLANATION OF TYPES OF MESSAGES THAT WILL BE SENT}}
2. You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text "STOP". After you send
   the SMS message "STOP" to us, we will send you an SMS message to confirm that
   you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive SMS
   messages from us. If you want to join again, send the SMS message "START" and
   we will start sending SMS messages to you again.
3. If you are experiencing issues with the messaging program you can reply with
   the keyword HELP for more assistance, or you can get help directly at
   {{BRAND EMAIL}}.
4. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
5. As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from
   us and to us from you. Message frequency varies. If you have any questions
   about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless
   provider.
6. If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read our privacy policy:
   {{PRIVACY POLICY URL}}

The template names STOP as the standard opt-out keyword, but it should not be used to reject other clear opt-out requests. The FCC recognizes STOP and similar standard replies as reasonable ways to revoke consent and says that senders may not restrict consumers to one exclusive method. Make sure the way you operate your messaging program matches your published terms.

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