Do business texts need opt-out language? Yes: put “Reply STOP to opt out” in the first text and honor STOP fast
By Sharrk Team · October 27, 2026
Yes. Business texts need opt-out language: put a line like "Reply STOP to opt out" in the first text, keep it easy to find, and stop texting anyone who asks, well inside the FCC's 10-business-day limit. Sharrk does this for you: "Reply STOP to stop or HELP for help." is added to every text its AI agents send, and STOP is handled automatically.
This guide covers what the carriers' industry group, your texting provider and the FCC each expect, the words you have to honor, and sample first texts you can copy. It is a plain-English summary, not legal advice; check your own situation with a lawyer. For the voice side of the same rules, see AI voice calls and the TCPA.
Do business texts legally need "Reply STOP to opt out"?
Three sets of rules point the same way.
- Your texting provider requires it. Twilio's Messaging Policy (updated April 13, 2026) says the first message must include opt-out language, such as "Reply STOP to unsubscribe," and that every message must identify you as the sender (follow-ups inside an ongoing conversation excepted).
- The carriers' best practices expect it. The CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices (May 2023) say senders should use standardized "STOP" wording for opt-out instructions, "state in the message how and what words effect an opt-out," and let people opt out at any time. CTIA calls the document voluntary, but carriers and providers build their rules on it.
- The FCC requires you to honor opt-outs. Under the TCPA rules, a consumer can revoke consent to autodialed or AI texts, and you must honor it within a reasonable time, no more than 10 business days. If your texts don't accept replies, each text has to say so and give another way to opt out.
So the practical answer is simple: name STOP in the first text, and act on it immediately.
What should the first text say?
A compliant first text does three things: says who you are, says why you're texting, and says how to stop. Keep it short so it fits in one segment; our guide to the SMS character limit explains why the opt-out line counts toward length.
After a web form or quote request:
"Hi Jordan, this is Riverside Plumbing (sample). Thanks for your request about the water heater. Want us to come out Tuesday at 10 or Wednesday at 2? Reply STOP to opt out."
First reply to a new lead:
"Hi Maria, Greenline Lawn Care (sample) here. You asked about weekly mowing. Can I send over a price? Reply STOP to stop or HELP for help."
For a recurring program (reminders, updates):
"Bright Home Cleaning (sample): you're signed up for appointment reminders. Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to opt out."
The third version follows the consent wording Twilio lists for 10DLC campaigns: brand, message type, frequency, "Message and data rates may apply," STOP and HELP. Twilio gives STOP alone, without frequency and rates, as an example of wording that gets a campaign rejected.
Which words count as an opt-out?
Do not wait for the exact word STOP. Each source lists more than one.
| Source | Opt-out words it names |
|---|---|
| FCC TCPA rules | stop, quit, end, revoke, opt out, cancel, unsubscribe |
| CTIA best practices | stop, end, unsubscribe, cancel, quit, plus plain requests like "please opt me out" |
| Twilio long-code defaults | STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, END, QUIT, STOPALL, REVOKE, OPTOUT, CANCEL |
Twilio also reserves HELP (a help reply) and START or UNSTOP (to opt back in). CTIA adds that senders should accept opt-outs by phone call or email too, not only by text.
How fast do you have to honor STOP?
The FCC's limit is a reasonable time, no more than 10 business days from the request. That rule came from the FCC's 2024 revocation order (FCC 24-24), with April 11, 2025 announced as its effective date, as the FCC's January 2026 waiver order (DA 26-12) recounts.
Ten days is a ceiling, not a target. Software can block the number the moment STOP arrives. Twilio, for example, adds the number to a block list when it receives an opt-out keyword, and later messages to it fail.
Can you send a text confirming the opt-out?
Yes, one. The FCC allows a single confirmation text that only confirms the opt-out and contains no marketing; sent within five minutes, it is presumed to be covered by the person's earlier consent. CTIA and Twilio say the same: one final confirmation, then nothing more.
"Riverside Plumbing (sample): you're unsubscribed and won't get more texts from us. Reply START to resubscribe."
What changed at the FCC in 2026?
Two things, and the second takes effect next month.
- "Revoke all" was delayed. The 2024 rule that a STOP to one kind of message covers all unrelated robocalls and robotexts from that sender was put on hold. In January 2026 the FCC pushed that part to January 31, 2027 (DA 26-12).
- A new final rule takes effect November 25, 2026. The FCC's October 2026 order (FCC 26-67, published October 26, 2026) rewrites the revocation rule:
- A sender may designate one exclusive opt-out method, such as a reply text with a standard word, if it clearly and conspicuously discloses that method in each text. Naming at least one of the seven words, like STOP, in each text satisfies this, but all seven must still be honored.
- A STOP to a marketing text ends all future marketing texts and calls from that sender. A STOP to a purely informational text can be limited to that category.
- The 10-business-day limit stays. A companion proposal asks whether to shorten it to seven business days and whether to require a revoke-all option again.
The safe habit covers both versions of the rule: put STOP in every text, honor all seven words, and stop marketing to anyone who opts out.
Does opt-out language affect 10DLC approval?
Yes. A 10DLC campaign registration includes sample messages and your opt-in wording, and Twilio lists consent language missing STOP, HELP, frequency or rates as a campaign rejection reason. Write your samples with your business name and "Reply STOP to opt out" before you submit. Our posts on 10DLC registration cost and 10DLC approval time cover the fees and timing.
How does Sharrk handle SMS opt-out language?
Sharrk's AI voice and text agents answer every call and text 24/7 and reply to new leads in under 30 seconds by text, call or email. Every text they send carries "Reply STOP to stop or HELP for help." STOP is handled automatically, and opt-out words are never relayed to your team, so nobody texts back someone who asked to be left alone.
Follow-up runs through Strikes, Sharrk's automatic multi-step sequences of AI calls, AI text conversations, texts, emails, ringless voicemail drops and review requests. A Strike always stops when a lead asks to stop. You can also stop it when the lead replies or has a real conversation with the AI, or add a plain-English rule like "stop if the job is booked." Strike steps run 8am to 8pm in your time zone by default.
Before you go live, Sharrk guides you through A2P 10DLC registration. Carrier fees are a one-time $5 brand registration and $20 campaign vetting, plus a small monthly campaign fee.
Mako, Sharrk's AI assistant, sets this up from plain English. Tell Mako "register my business for texting and build a follow-up for new quote requests" and it drafts the registration and the Strike. Every change shows on an Apply card, Mako waits for your OK, and you can Undo.
Build and test everything on Sharrk Free with 2,500 one-time credits and no card, then go live on Core at $99 a month. Want to see it first? Schedule a demo.
Related on Sharrk: Speed to Lead · AI Receptionist · Contractor Automation
Sources
- CTIA, "Messaging Principles and Best Practices" (May 2023): https://api.ctia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/230523-CTIA-Messaging-Principles-and-Best-Practices-FINAL.pdf (checked October 27, 2026)
- Twilio, "Twilio Messaging Policy" (updated April 13, 2026): https://www.twilio.com/en-us/legal/messaging-policy (checked October 27, 2026)
- Twilio Docs, "Customize users' opt-in and opt-out experience with Advanced Opt-Out": https://www.twilio.com/docs/messaging/tutorials/advanced-opt-out (checked October 27, 2026)
- Twilio Docs, "30924: Campaign rejected: Missing or non-compliant consent agreement language in opt-in flow": https://www.twilio.com/docs/api/errors/30924 (checked October 27, 2026)
- Federal Communications Commission, "Strengthening the Ability of Consumers To Stop Robocalls," FCC 24-24, Federal Register (March 5, 2024): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/03/05/2024-04587/strengthening-the-ability-of-consumers-to-stop-robocalls (checked October 27, 2026)
- Federal Communications Commission, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Order DA 26-12 (January 6, 2026): https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-12A1.pdf (checked October 27, 2026)
- Federal Communications Commission, "Enhancing the Ability of Consumers To Control the Robocalls," FCC 26-67, Federal Register final rule (October 26, 2026; effective November 25, 2026): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/26/2026-21821/enhancing-the-ability-of-consumers-to-control-the-robocalls (checked October 27, 2026)
- DLA Piper, "FCC TCPA rule" (October 2026): https://www.dlapiper.com/en/insights/publications/2026/10/fcc-tcpa-rule (checked October 27, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Do business texts need opt-out language?
Yes. Twilio's Messaging Policy requires opt-out language such as "Reply STOP to unsubscribe" in the first message, CTIA best practices say to state how to opt out, and the FCC requires you to honor opt-outs within 10 business days at most.
Does every text need "Reply STOP"?
It's the safest habit. Providers require it in the first message, and under the FCC rule effective November 25, 2026, a sender that makes reply-STOP its exclusive opt-out method must disclose it in each text.
How long do I have to honor a STOP request?
No more than 10 business days under FCC rules, but best practice is immediately. Texting platforms such as Twilio block the number when the opt-out word arrives.
Which words count as an opt-out?
At minimum stop, quit, end, revoke, opt out, cancel and unsubscribe, the seven words the FCC names. CTIA also says to honor plain requests like "please opt me out" and opt-outs by phone or email.
Can I send a message after someone texts STOP?
Yes, one confirmation text with no marketing, then nothing more. The FCC presumes a confirmation sent within five minutes is covered by the person's earlier consent.
Does Sharrk add opt-out language to texts?
Yes. Sharrk adds "Reply STOP to stop or HELP for help." to every text, handles STOP automatically, never relays opt-out words to your team, and stops Strikes when a lead asks to stop.