You will learn
Learn how to create and share a link to collect SMS consent through social media campaigns or emails. After you post this link, anyone who clicks on it can easily sign up for SMS. Those on mobile devices can opt in with tap-to-text, while those on desktop are directed to a subscribe page.
Before you beginBefore you begin
Before generating an SMS opt-in link, you must have already turned on SMS in your Klaviyo account.
Also, keep the following in mind:
Subscribe links only work for 1 sending number
For instance, if you use a toll-free number for both the US and Canada, you can use a single subscribe link to collect SMS subscribers in both countries.
However, say you use a short code in Canada. In that case, you need to create a separate subscribe link for each country. You then need to display one link only to the US and the other only to Canada.
The mobile experience doesn’t work for branded sender IDs
If you use a branded sender ID in the UK or Australia, you can only collect consent via the desktop experience (i.e., on a subscribe page).
The mobile experience is solely tap-to-text, which relies on customers subscribing by texting a keyword to your number. However, branded sender IDs cannot receive text messages, so this method won’t work.
Further, if you only have a branded sender ID in your Klaviyo account (i.e., no number that can receive messages), you must get this link by creating a regular subscribe page.
Include disclosure language anywhere you post this link
A big part of SMS compliance is making sure people know what they’re opting into anywhere you collect consent. Whenever you use an SMS subscribe link, you need to add disclosure language along with it.
Generate a subscribe link
Do not copy the link when editing the subscribe page. Only copy the link from either the Growth tools or Short link page or in the actual Manage subscribe link page.
There are 2 ways you can generate the SMS subscribe link: either from your SMS settings or from the Growth tools page.
- To create an SMS subscribe link, either:
- Navigate to Audience > Growth tools in the left-hand side.
- Navigate to Settings > SMS > Short link.
- Next to Create your first subscribe link , click Create.
- Under Mobile experience, click the dropdown to choose the SMS keyword you want to use.
Note that the keyword determines which list subscribers are added to for both the mobile and desktop experiences. - Choose the country (or countries) for this subscribe link.
- Add in the message that will populate in the subscriber’s messaging app.
- Click Edit subscribe page.
- If you get the option to choose between a default page or customizing the page for this list, select Customize for this List. This will create a new set of consent pages (i.e., preference page, subscribe page, unsubscribe page) specifically for subscribers joining this list.
- Include a phone number field (you must do this before you can delete the email field).
Note: Do not delete the disclosure language. - Click into the phone number field. Under Box Validation, check the Required checkbox.
- In the preview, hover over the email field then click the trashcan icon to delete it. Collecting email and SMS consent separately is best practice for list growth and compliance.
If you're an alcohol-related brand, you may need to add a step with an age-gating field to your subscribe page.
- Check your disclosure language to make sure it:
- Mentions your company or SMS program name.
- Links to both your terms of service and privacy policy.
- Click Confirmation page above the preview of your subscribe page.
- Click Custom redirect in the left sidebar.
- Check the Skip page and redirect box.
- In the Redirect URL field, input the page you want to send subscribers (home page, featured collection, etc.)
- Click Publish in the upper right to save your edits to the subscribe page, then click Exit.
- Navigate to either:
- Audience > Growth tools > Create your first subscribe link.
- Settings > SMS > Short links
- Name the link something descriptive.
- Click Save to save this link.
- Click Copy link to use the subscribe link.
- Copy the SMS disclosure language and include it wherever you post this link.
Outcome
Once you’re done, you can post this link anywhere you want to collect SMS consent, whether that’s in a targeted ad, post on Instagram, or elsewhere.
You can even turn this link into a QR code that you can include it in your customers’ packages or on a sign at your store.
Additional resourcesAdditional resources
- Check out resources for collecting and sending to SMS subscribers:
- Help Center: recommended SMS segments reference
- Help Center: how to collect consent via an Instagram sticker
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Get advice for building your SMS program:
- Blog post: SMS marketing strategies for all levels [+12 Pro tips]
- Help Center: your strategic guide to Klaviyo SMS success