FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS A SHORT CODE?

A Short Code is an abbreviated phone number - which in our case, is a short, six-digit mobile number - that requires no area code and works anywhere in the U.S. You've probably seen TV and print ads asking people to "Just text OUR KEYWORD to 368266 to join and receive..." This six-digit number is known as a Short Code. They are widely used to send request text messages as well as a subscription tool that enables consumers to opt-in and subscribe to a mobile campaign right from their phone.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY "DESIGNATED" SHORT CODE NUMBER?

Your designated short code number depends on the Domain Name that you use for your mobile service. If your Domain Name is a DOTCOM, your designated short code number would be 368266 (which if you look at a cellphone keypad, spells d-o-t-c-o-m). If your Domain Name is a DOTNET, your short code is 368638. And if your Domain Name is a DOTORG, your designated short code is 368674.

DO PEOPLE GET CHARGED WHEN THEY CALL THE SHORT CODE NUMBER?

No. The short codes that we use do NOT charge for any call. However, the caller must have a current text messaging or data plan from his/her mobile carrier in order to request an instant message or to subscribe to receive message updates. Standard charges from carrier may apply.

WHAT IS AN "ADVERTISER"?

An Advertiser is any brand or business, local or national, that sends their advertising messages via SMS text message through your service. If you order our Mobile Coupons System and offer mobile advertising service to others, then Advertisers are your Clients. Advertisers pay you in order to use your service, which enables them to send advertising messages to their customers.
• EACH Advertiser is assigned its own unique KEYWORD.
• EACH Advertiser can have UNLIMITED consumers request their messages.
• EACH Advertiser can send UNLIMITED messages via SMS Text Message, using your service. 

WHAT IS A "MOBILE SUBSCRIBER"?

A Mobile Subscriber — also referred to as "Consumer" or "Recipient" — is a person who has opted-in or subscribed to receive automatic updates from a specific Advertiser. Each individual Advertiser can have an UNLIMITED number of subscribers to whom they can send their messages.

HOW DO CONSUMERS SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE DAILY TEXT ALERT UPDATES?

To subscribe, consumers are required to text TWO words: the DOMAIN NAME that identifies the owner of the service and the KEYWORD that identifies the specific Advertiser from whom they wish to receive promotional text messages. Example: If the domain name is GETATXT and the advertiser's keyword is DEMO, then the consumer must text the words GETATXT DEMO to the short code number 368266.

WHAT IS A "KEYWORD"?

A KEYWORD is the word or name that an Advertiser chooses to specifically and uniquely identify itself to the general public. Each of your Advertising Clients will have their own unique Keyword. Their keyword is the SECOND word that consumers type when requesting an instant message or when subscribing to receive automatic updates from a specific Advertiser.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CONSUMER SELECTS OPTION #1 TO SUBSCRIBE TO UPDATES?

If the consumer selects Option #1, the consumer would receive another text message requesting them to verify their intention to subscribe. To do this, the consumer must reply with the word "YES" to confirm their subscription. After that, the consumer is officially subscribed. The entire process may take one to two minutes to complete.

HOW DOES SOMEONE UNSUBSCRIBE?

There are two ways to unsubscribe: (A) Send a text message that says "STOP" along with the Domain Name and Keyword, or (B) After receiving a message from an advertiser, reply to the text message with the word "STOP" to automatically unsubscribe.

WHAT IS "imagelink" AND HOW DO PEOPLE RECEIVE THE PICTURE?

imagelink is a standard supported feature that enables your advertisers to include to their SMS text message a link to a supported image. People who have smartphones can simply click on the link to view the accompanying image. Instead of just sending a simple text message, advertisers can now include an image which can enhance their marketing message and attract more customers.

IS "imagelink" THE SAME AS MMS?

No. With MMS, the picture is an integral part of the text message, making MMS more expensive to deliver and possibly cause the recipient extra fees. imagelink sends the picture separately through the Mobile Web, making it easily available to people with smartphones.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE MOBILE CUSTOMER HAS AN ORDINARY CELL PHONE?

If the recipient of the text message does not have smartphone, they will still be able to receive the text message in full. However, their phone will not be able to click to view the accompanying image. This is why, even with the imagelink feature, advertisers must still write their text message in a manner that is sufficiently comprehensive and effectively deliver their marketing message.

IS THERE A DEMO THAT I CAN TRY?

Yes. From your cell phone, you can text the words GETATXT CAR and send to 368266 (DOTCOM). If you text to this demo service, you will get an idea of how the SMS request process works.