Long Future For Shortcode Keywords

No matter what you’ve heard, shortcode keywords are still a very relevant way for your church members and first-time guests to opt in to your ministry campaigns and events.

Aren’t the mobile carriers stopping their support of short codes?

Not exactly. Regular short codes (unique to an organization—not used by anyone outside of that organization) will stay. Shared short codes (bought by one organization and shared with other organizations) are being phased out.

The reason that the mobile carriers are stopping the use of shared short codes is the change to A2P 10DLC (Application to Person, 10-Digit Long Code): a more spam-free, texting system with less carrier filtering. Once the new system is in place, shared short codes will no longer be used. However, shortcode keywords will still be relevant.

Our ministry is using a shared short code. If shared short codes are discontinued, how could shortcode keywords still be relevant?

 
Glad you asked. The answer is shared, high throughput, verified toll-free numbers. These are 10-digit long codes (like regular phone numbers) but with a faster MPS rate (message segments per second rate = the speed of delivery). There is a verification process, so the mobile carriers know that SMS sent via such numbers is not spam. These numbers can then be shared: one organization buys a number and allows other organizations to use it.

PastorsLine is already future-forward via our shared, high throughput, verified toll-free number. Like with a shared shortcode, keywords for the shared, high throughput, verified toll-free number must be unique. So, you need to reserve the keywords you wish to use. To learn more and reserve your keywords, click here.

Well, we were using the shared shortcode because it was short and easier to remember. The shared toll-free number is just as long as our regular phone number. Why use it?
The answer in one word is MPS. The traditional messages per second (MPS) rate for a regular phone number (10-digit long code) is 1 MPS. Regular toll-free numbers send SMS at 3 MPS. Shared, high throughput, verified toll-free number send rates start at 25 MPS.

That’s a significant difference, especially when you are sending a lot of messages at one time and/or messages that need to get to your congregation quickly.

Sending a lot of messages at one time
If your church has a large congregation, you want your messages to be received by everyone at more-or-less the same time. Having large gaps means that one church member might text another about a message they received from you which the second person hasn’t yet—not a recommended situation.

Messages which need to get to your congregation quickly
In difficult times such as national emergencies, you want information to get to your church members as fast as possible. Texting is the preferred way, and getting those messages there as quickly as you can is preferred, so people know what to do and where to go for more details.

TO RECAP…

Shortly, you will not be able to send texts via shared short codes. However, shortcode keywords will still be relevant as they can be used with a shared, high throughput, verified toll-free number. The reason you would use such a toll-free number is the much higher message send rate of 25 MPS compared with 1 MPS for a regular phone number.

Reserve your shortcode keywords now.