The Complete Guide to SMS Short Codes: Best Practices, Tips, and Alternatives
An SMS short code is a five- or six-digit number used in SMS and MMS marketing.
Marketers often use them for data capture: customers are encouraged to opt-in for SMS marketing by texting a keyword to a short SMS number (e.g. “Text FASHION to 72404 for the latest trends and offers”). Because they’re shorter than regular phone numbers, they’re easier to remember, so it’s more likely people will text in to sign up.
And they’re also used for sending SMS and MMS messages at scale, helping you reach the widest possible audience.
While SMS short codes are nothing new, they’re becoming increasingly relevant given the stamping-out of third-party cookies. For years, third-party cookies have been a comfort blanket for marketers—and now they’re on the way out, many brands feel lost.