Telnyx

Writing good sample messages is the #1 factor in getting your 10DLC campaign approved. Carriers reject campaigns when sample messages don’t match the declared use case, lack opt-out language, or look like spam. This guide provides ready-to-use sample messages, compliant opt-in language, and content patterns for every campaign use case type.

How carriers review sample messages:

Must match the declared use case type
Must include opt-out language (STOP to opt out)
Must represent actual messages you’ll send
Vague or generic samples get rejected

Standard use cases

2FA / Two-Factor Authentication

The simplest use case — short, transactional, no marketing content.

Sample messages (3 required)

Sample 1:

Your Acme verification code is 847291. This code expires in 10 minutes. If you didn't request this, ignore this message.

Sample 2:

Your login code for Acme is 523016. Don't share this code with anyone. Reply STOP to opt out.

Sample 3:

Acme security code: 194738. Enter this code to complete your password reset. This code expires in 5 minutes.

Opt-in language

By entering your phone number, you agree to receive one-time verification
codes from [Brand] via SMS. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates
may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.

Tips for approval

Keep messages under 160 characters
Include the code prominently
Add an expiry time
Don’t include marketing content or links
Brand name should appear in the message

API example — registering a 2FA campaign:

import telnyx

telnyx.api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"

campaign = telnyx.TenDLCCampaign.create(
    brand_id="B000001",
    usecase="2FA",
    description="One-time verification codes for user login and password reset",
    sample1="Your Acme verification code is 847291. This code expires in 10 minutes.",
    sample2="Your login code for Acme is 523016. Don't share this code with anyone. Reply STOP to opt out.",
    sample3="Acme security code: 194738. Enter this code to complete your password reset.",
    message_flow="Users enter their phone number during login or password reset. A one-time code is sent via SMS. Users enter the code to authenticate.",
    help_message="Reply HELP for support or contact support@acme.com",
    optin_message="By entering your phone number, you agree to receive verification codes from Acme via SMS. Reply STOP to opt out.",
)
print(campaign.campaign_id)

Customer Care

Support conversations, ticket updates, and service messages.

Sample messages (3 required)

Sample 1:

Hi [Name], your support ticket #4521 has been updated. Our team has responded — view details at support.acme.com/tickets/4521. Reply STOP to opt out.

Sample 2:

Acme Support: Your return request for order #8834 has been approved. A prepaid label has been sent to your email. Questions? Reply HELP.

Sample 3:

Your appointment with Acme Support is confirmed for March 15 at 2:00 PM EST. Reply YES to confirm or RESCHEDULE to change. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Opt-in language

By providing your phone number, you consent to receive customer service
messages from [Brand] via SMS, including support ticket updates, appointment
reminders, and service notifications. Message frequency varies. Msg & data
rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel.

Tips for approval

Messages should be reactive (responding to customer actions)
Include ticket/order numbers for context
Don’t mix in promotional content
Keep a helpful, service-oriented tone
Include brand name in every message

Delivery Notifications

Order confirmations, shipping updates, and delivery status.

Sample messages (3 required)

Sample 1:

Acme: Your order #99281 has shipped! Tracking: 1Z999AA10123456784. Estimated delivery: March 18. Track at acme.com/track. Reply STOP to opt out.

Sample 2:

Your Acme delivery is out for delivery and will arrive today between 2-6 PM. A photo confirmation will be sent upon delivery. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Sample 3:

Acme: Your package was delivered at 3:42 PM and left at front door. View delivery photo at acme.com/orders/99281. Reply STOP to opt out.

Opt-in language

By placing an order, you agree to receive shipping and delivery updates from
[Brand] via SMS. Message frequency varies based on order activity. Msg & data
rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help.

Tips for approval

Include order/tracking numbers
Messages should follow the order lifecycle
Include delivery estimates when available
Don’t add promotional upsells in delivery messages

Account Notifications

Password changes, billing alerts, account activity.

Sample messages (3 required)

Sample 1:

Acme: Your password was successfully changed on March 4, 2026. If you didn't make this change, contact support immediately at 1-800-555-0199. Reply STOP to opt out.

Sample 2:

Acme billing alert: Your payment of $49.99 was processed successfully. Your next billing date is April 4, 2026. View invoice at acme.com/billing. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Sample 3:

Acme: Your subscription plan was upgraded to Pro. Your new monthly rate is $79.99, effective immediately. Questions? Reply HELP. Reply STOP to opt out.

Opt-in language

By creating an account, you consent to receive account-related notifications
from [Brand] via SMS, including billing alerts, password changes, and account
updates. Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates apply. Reply STOP to cancel.

Tips for approval

Focus on account changes the user initiated
Include specific details (amounts, dates)
Provide a way to verify or dispute changes
Never include marketing in account notifications

Marketing

Promotions, sales, product announcements, and brand content.

Marketing campaigns receive the most scrutiny. Opt-in must be explicit and separate from terms of service.

Sample messages (3 required)

Sample 1:

Acme Summer Sale! 🎉 Get 30% off all items this weekend only. Use code SUMMER30 at checkout. Shop now: acme.com/sale. Reply STOP to opt out.

Sample 2:

New at Acme: Our spring collection just dropped! Be the first to shop 50+ new styles starting at $19.99. Browse: acme.com/new. Txt STOP to unsubscribe.

Sample 3:

Acme: Thanks for being a loyal customer! Here's an exclusive 20% off coupon just for you. Use code VIP20 by March 31. Shop: acme.com. Reply STOP to cancel.

Opt-in language

By checking this box, you agree to receive recurring marketing messages from
[Brand] via SMS, including promotions, sales, and product updates. Consent is
not a condition of purchase. Message frequency varies (up to 8 msgs/month).
Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to unsubscribe.
View our Privacy Policy at [link] and Terms at [link].

Tips for approval

Opt-in MUST be separate from ToS (not buried in fine print)
Include message frequency estimate
State “consent is not a condition of purchase”
Link to privacy policy and terms
Every message must include opt-out language
Don’t use ALL CAPS excessively
Include brand name in every message

Security Alerts

Sample messages (3 required)

Sample 1:

Acme security alert: New login detected from Chrome on Windows in New York, NY at 3:42 PM EST. If this wasn't you, secure your account: acme.com/security. Reply STOP to opt out.

Sample 2:

Acme: Unusual activity detected on your account. A purchase of $299.99 was attempted. If this wasn't you, reply BLOCK or call 1-800-555-0199. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Sample 3:

Acme: Your account recovery email was changed. If you made this change, no action needed. If not, contact security immediately at 1-800-555-0199. Reply STOP to opt out.

Opt-in language

By enabling security alerts, you agree to receive security notifications from
[Brand] via SMS, including login alerts, fraud detection, and account security
updates. Message frequency varies based on account activity. Msg & data rates
may apply. Reply STOP to cancel.

Tips for approval

Include specific details (device, location, time)
Always provide a way to take action
Keep urgency appropriate — don’t create false panic
These are high-priority; carriers are lenient but still review

Polling & Voting

Surveys, feedback requests, and interactive polls.

Sample messages (3 required)

Sample 1:

Acme: How was your recent purchase? Rate your experience 1-5 (1=poor, 5=excellent). Your feedback helps us improve! Reply STOP to opt out.

Sample 2:

Acme customer survey: Would you recommend us to a friend? Reply YES or NO. As a thank you, get 10% off your next order. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Sample 3:

Acme: Quick poll — which new feature matters most to you? Reply A) Faster shipping B) More colors C) Lower prices. Reply STOP to opt out.

Opt-in language

By opting in, you agree to receive occasional survey and feedback requests
from [Brand] via SMS. Message frequency: up to 2 msgs/month. Msg & data
rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help.

Tips for approval

Keep surveys short (1-2 questions per message)
Make responses simple (numbers, YES/NO, letters)
Don’t disguise marketing as surveys
Include clear opt-out in every message

Charity / Nonprofit

Fundraising, awareness campaigns, and donation acknowledgments.

Sample messages (3 required)

Sample 1:

Habitat for Hope: Thanks to donors like you, we built 12 homes this month! See the impact at habitatforhope.org/impact. Reply STOP to opt out.

Sample 2:

Habitat for Hope: Our spring fundraiser starts March 15! Your $25 donation provides building materials for a family in need. Donate: habitatforhope.org/give. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Sample 3:

Thank you for your $50 donation to Habitat for Hope! Your tax receipt has been emailed. Together we're building stronger communities. Reply STOP to opt out.

Opt-in language

By texting JOIN to [number], you agree to receive updates from [Nonprofit]
via SMS, including impact updates, fundraising campaigns, and donation
receipts. Msg frequency varies (up to 4 msgs/month). Msg & data rates apply.
Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help.

Tips for approval

Clearly identify your nonprofit in every message
Show impact, not just ask for money
Include donation receipts/acknowledgments
Link to your organization’s website

Mixed (Most Common)

Multiple message types from a single campaign. This is the most frequently used use case.

Sample messages (3 required — show variety)

Sample 1 (transactional):

Acme: Your order #77412 has shipped and will arrive by March 18. Track at acme.com/track. Reply STOP to opt out.

Sample 2 (support):

Acme Support: Your ticket #2291 has been resolved. If you need further help, reply to this message or visit support.acme.com. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Sample 3 (promotional):

Acme: Spring sale starts tomorrow! Get early access with code SPRING25 for 25% off. Shop: acme.com/sale. Reply STOP to opt out.

Opt-in language

By providing your phone number, you consent to receive messages from [Brand]
via SMS, including order updates, customer support notifications, and
promotional offers. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply.
Consent is not required for purchase. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel.
View our Privacy Policy at [link].

Tips for approval

Each sample should demonstrate a DIFFERENT message type
Opt-in must mention ALL types of messages (transactional + marketing)
If you include marketing, follow marketing opt-in rules
Description should list all message categories
This is the safest choice if you’re unsure which use case to pick

Special use cases

Low Volume

For brands sending fewer than 6,000 messages per month. Simplified registration with reduced documentation.

Sample messages

Same as whatever your primary use case is — low volume is about throughput, not content type. Use samples from the relevant standard use case above.

Tips for approval

Best for small businesses with limited messaging needs
Lower throughput limits (75 messages/minute on T-Mobile)
Cannot be upgraded to standard — must create a new campaign
Still requires compliant opt-in and opt-out

Sole Proprietor

For individuals or small businesses without an EIN. See the full Sole Proprietor guide.

Emergency

For life-safety alerts. Requires demonstrating genuine emergency nature.

Sample messages

Sample 1:

EMERGENCY ALERT: Severe weather warning for your area. Tornado watch until 8 PM. Seek shelter immediately. Details: alerts.example.com. Reply STOP to opt out.

Sample 2:

SafeAlert: Building evacuation in progress at 123 Main St. Exit via stairwell B. Do NOT use elevators. All clear will be sent when safe. Reply STOP to opt out.

Tips for approval

Must be genuinely life-safety related
Carriers may grant higher throughput
Don’t abuse this category — misuse leads to suspension

Writing compliant sample messages

Do’s and don’ts

✅ Do

Include your brand name in every message
Add opt-out language (STOP to opt out)
Use specific, realistic content
Match samples to your declared use case
Show the actual format you’ll send
Include 3 distinct sample messages

❌ Don't

Use generic placeholder text (“Hello, this is a test”)
Mix marketing into transactional use cases
Use ALL CAPS for entire messages
Include URL shorteners (bit.ly, tinyurl)
Copy samples from other brands
Submit identical or near-identical samples

Opt-out language requirements

Every campaign must support these keywords:

Keyword	Required Response
`STOP`	”You have been unsubscribed from [Brand] messages. No more messages will be sent. Reply START to resubscribe.”
`HELP`	”[Brand] support: For help, visit [url] or call [number]. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply STOP to cancel.”
`START` / `UNSTOP`	”You have been resubscribed to [Brand] messages. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help.”

Telnyx handles STOP/START/HELP keyword processing automatically when Advanced Opt-Out is enabled on your messaging profile.

Message flow description

Your campaign’s message_flow field should clearly describe how users opt in. Carriers look for:

Entry point

How does the user first provide their phone number? (Website form, checkout, text-to-join keyword, etc.)

Consent mechanism

How is consent captured? (Checkbox, keyword reply, verbal confirmation, etc.)

Confirmation

What happens after opt-in? (Welcome message, double opt-in confirmation, etc.)

Message types

What kinds of messages will the user receive?

Example message flow:

Customers opt in by checking a consent checkbox during online checkout at
acme.com/checkout. After opting in, they receive a welcome message confirming
their subscription. They then receive order confirmations, shipping updates,
and delivery notifications related to their purchases. Customers can opt out
at any time by replying STOP.

Common rejection reasons

Rejection Reason	Fix
Sample messages don’t match use case	Rewrite samples to clearly demonstrate your declared use case
Missing opt-out language	Add “Reply STOP to opt out” to every sample
Vague or generic samples	Use specific, realistic content with your brand name
Inadequate opt-in description	Detail the exact opt-in flow (where, how, what users see)
URL shorteners used	Use full branded URLs (acme.com/track, not bit.ly/abc)
Samples too similar	Make each sample distinctly different
Marketing content in non-marketing use case	Remove promotional language or switch to MIXED use case

For detailed troubleshooting of campaign rejections, see the 10DLC Troubleshooting Guide.

Campaign Registration

Brand Registration

10DLC Troubleshooting

Fix registration and delivery issues

Sending Messages

Messaging Profiles

Short Code

RCS

Hosted Numbers

Opt Outs

Phone Numbers

Toll Free Verification

10 DLC

Campaign Use Case Examples & Sample Messages

Standard use cases

2FA / Two-Factor Authentication

Customer Care

Delivery Notifications

Account Notifications

Marketing

Security Alerts

Polling & Voting

Charity / Nonprofit

Mixed (Most Common)

Special use cases

Low Volume

Sole Proprietor

Emergency

Writing compliant sample messages

Do’s and don’ts

✅ Do

❌ Don't

Opt-out language requirements

Message flow description

Common rejection reasons

Campaign Registration

Brand Registration

10DLC Troubleshooting

Sending Messages

Messaging Profiles

Short Code

RCS

Hosted Numbers

Opt Outs

Phone Numbers

Toll Free Verification

10 DLC

​Standard use cases

​2FA / Two-Factor Authentication

​Customer Care

​Delivery Notifications

​Account Notifications

​Marketing

​Security Alerts

​Polling & Voting

​Charity / Nonprofit

​Mixed (Most Common)

​Special use cases

​Low Volume

​Sole Proprietor

​Emergency

​Writing compliant sample messages

​Do’s and don’ts

✅ Do

❌ Don't

​Opt-out language requirements

​Message flow description

​Common rejection reasons

​Related resources

Campaign Registration

Brand Registration

10DLC Troubleshooting

Standard use cases

2FA / Two-Factor Authentication

Customer Care

Delivery Notifications

Account Notifications

Marketing

Security Alerts

Polling & Voting

Charity / Nonprofit

Mixed (Most Common)

Special use cases

Low Volume

Sole Proprietor

Emergency

Writing compliant sample messages

Do’s and don’ts

Opt-out language requirements

Message flow description

Common rejection reasons

Related resources