Skip to main contentSMS Campaigns - Concepts
Learn key concepts for SMS campaigns.
Message length
SMS messages are limited to 160 characters per segment. Messages longer than 160 characters are automatically split into multiple segments, which may incur additional costs.
Character encoding
- GSM-7: Standard encoding, supports 160 characters per segment
- UCS-2: Unicode encoding, supports 70 characters per segment (for emojis and special characters)
Delivery confirmation
SMS delivery reports help you track:
- Sent status
- Delivery confirmation
- Failed delivery reasons
Opt-in requirements
Ensure you have proper opt-in consent before sending SMS campaigns. This is required by regulations like TCPA (US) and GDPR (EU).
Short codes vs long codes
- Short codes: 5-6 digit numbers, best for high-volume campaigns
- Long codes: 10-digit phone numbers, more personal and flexible
See also:
