A mobile number that accepts texts is not automatically eligible for a marketing campaign. Before your first send, connect the number to the sender, message purpose and applicable rules. At Latest Mailing Database, we recommend separating audience selection from the decision to activate that audience in an SMS platform.
Define the send before selecting numbers
Record the business sending the message, the destination country, the promotional purpose and the technology used. Keep transactional messages and promotional messages in separate approval flows. Adding an offer to a service notice can change the review required.
Check the destination rather than relying only on a telephone prefix. Portability, travel and historical records can complicate location assumptions. Establish how uncertain destinations will be excluded or reviewed before uploading the selection.
Use the correct country review
| Destination | Pre-send question | Official starting point |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Does the sending method and message require consent under the applicable TCPA and FCC rules, and does the evidence meet that standard? | FCC robocall and text guidance |
| United Kingdom | Is this an individual or corporate subscriber, and is valid consent or an applicable, properly documented exception available? | ICO electronic marketing guidance |
| Canada | Can the sender demonstrate the required consent and meet identification and unsubscribe requirements under CASL? | CRTC CASL questions and answers |
The FCC describes restrictions on autodialed texts to mobile phones, subject to consent and applicable exceptions. Do not use an email-law checklist as the complete SMS approval standard. UK electronic mail rules include texts; a limited soft opt-in is conditional rather than general permission to use purchased numbers. Canadian commercial electronic messages can include texts, and the distinction between express and implied consent needs evidence.
Inspect the permission event
Review the exact wording displayed, the affirmative action, date and time, sender named and channel covered. Keep a copy of the collection notice with the event record. A supplier statement, source URL or IP address cannot replace the missing consent wording. Where a permitted alternative is relied on, document its conditions and any expiry separately.
Check whether the permission covers your business and intended purpose. An agreement to receive service updates does not necessarily cover a different organisation’s promotions. Move uncertain records into a review queue before scheduling a campaign.
Test the withdrawal path using your own test numbers
- Confirm sender identification in the message and platform configuration.
- Use an appropriate, functioning opt-out method for the destination and service.
- Verify that an opt-out reaches suppression before the next eligible send.
- Confirm that imported files cannot silently reactivate suppressed contacts.
- Record who approved the final template and audience.
Provider registration, delivery receipts and carrier acceptance concern service operation; they do not establish legal permission. Measure complaints and opt-outs alongside delivery, and pause selections that produce unresolved issues.
Keep the release record
Retain the approved message version, selection version, evidence reference, exclusions and responsible reviewer. Review legal changes and platform requirements before reuse. For destinations beyond these three countries, obtain the relevant local review rather than extending this checklist by assumption.
Explore bulk SMS services, ask a selection question through support, and use our permission evidence checklist with the database hygiene process.