What is 10DLC registration?
10DLC stands for “10-digit long code,” a standard local phone number used by businesses to send A2P (Application-to-Person) text messages.
10DLC registration is the mandatory process that associates your business and its messaging use case with carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon to ensure compliance and message deliverability.
Required: All SMS/MMS traffic must be 10DLC-registered by February 1, 2025
Starting February 1, 2025, all businesses sending SMS or MMS messages must be registered with 10DLC. Messages sent without registration will be blocked by downstream carriers, subject to higher fees, or filtered as spam.
Understanding the jargon
Let’s start by breaking down the acronyms used by the telecommunication carriers:
- Carriers: Telecommunication companies such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
- 10DLC or long code: Ten-digit long code. A standard phone number, such as 1-555-123-4567 vs a short-code. Typically costs $1/month to lease.
- Toll-free long code: numbers that begin with an 8 and are available for both voice and text messaging, such as 1-888-123-4567. Typically costs $2-3/month to lease and requires a registration/approval process.
- Short-code: a 5-6 digit phone number used exclusively for SMS marketing, such as 12345. Typically costs $500+/month to lease. Requires an application and carrier approval to lease.
- A2P: Application-to-Person (A2P) is a type of text message sent from an application, such as DailyStory, to a person, such as you, sent over a 10DLC.
- Registered numbers: long codes, toll-free codes, or short-codes that are registered with the carriers.
- Unregistered numbers: Long codes that are unregistered with the carriers.
The majority of SMS marketing is performed using 10DLC vs. short-codes or toll-free numbers.
Long codes versus short codes and toll-free numbers
Each type of number supports different business needs and desired outcomes.
- 10DLC best supports a localized, smaller customer base, with typical uses including chat, event-based interactions, service updates, appointment reminders, and more. While traditional local long codes send at a rate of 1 message per second and only support sending of a few hundred messages per day, 10DLCs should be capable of sending around 100,000 text messages per month with a send rate of between five and 15 text messages per second. Keep in mind that support for 10DLCs is exclusive to the United States and Canada.
- Short codes support an enterprise-level, large-scale customer base, with typical uses including marketing blasts, one-time passwords, fraud alerts, transactional, and more. While short codes are appealing, their lease rates are the most expensive and can range from $500 to $1,000 per month or more. Short codes feature unlimited throughput and volume. For example, you can use them to send millions of text messages per day and at rates of up to 500 per second.
- Toll-free long codes support either enterprise-level or localized messaging volumes, with typical uses including customer service chat, customer feedback, notifications, and more. Its volume capabilities can be more limited, though. Toll-free long codes can only send at a rate of 3 messages per second, though, with the capability of sending a few thousand texts per day.
Why was 10DLC introduced?
Before 10DLC, many businesses used standard long codes to send SMS—originally designed for personal messaging. This led to an increase in unwanted messages, phishing, SMiShing, and abuse, like snowshoeing (sending from dozens of numbers to avoid filtering). In response, carriers introduced 10DLC in 2021 to:
- Reduce abuse and spam
- Improve message deliverability
- Support higher throughput for A2P messaging
- Enforce content compliance (especially SHAFT restrictions: Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco)
10-digit Long Codes were not intended for A2P traffic
Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging was originally designed for semi-exclusive use by short codes. Providers such as Twilio began allows A2P traffic over long code, also known as local codes.
Messages sent through DailyStory are considered A2P messaging.
Registration eliminates abuse and enforces compliance
The carriers introduced the registration process to help eliminate this abuse, but also enable sending messages at a higher volume with less filtering. And, supposedly, this results in fewer carrier violations and a higher deliverability rate.
Short codes do not have voice capabilities, while 10DLC and toll-free do. But 10DLC does not include delivery-receipt capabilities, while short code and toll-free do.
Registrations are managed by an industry organization called the Campaign Registry, and your company only needs to register once.
By enforcing the registration, the carriers also help to ensure that senders follow rules around text messaging compliance.
Compliance reduces carrier violations
Carriers (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) have begun to further restrict SMS marketing by rejecting messages as “carrier violations“.
The telecommunication carriers state they are “updating their systems to deliver better quality and lower filtering” for certain businesses that use 10DLC A2P.
And, just like any message sent through DailyStory, the message cannot contain any S.H.A.F.T. (Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms or Tobacco) content.
SHAFT content is not allowed by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA).
History of 10DLC
10DLC is an evolving process. There have been multiple changes and updates in the last several years.
- May 2021: 10DLC was first introduced.
- June 2022: Carriers are no longer allowed to share short codes.
- October 2022: Carriers began enforcing registration requirements.
- November 2022: Carriers removed support for the “Starter” registration type.
- March 2023: Carriers began enforcing stricter requirements for registrations.
- August 2023: AT&T began charging an additional $0.01/message for unregistered numbers.
Why use 10-digit long codes for your SMS marketing?
Using a long code for your SMS marketing is substantially more affordable than using a short code.
Low-cost option
When compared to short codes, 10DLCs are far more affordable for small businesses. They typically cost only a few dollars per month. Granted, if you have the budget to use both short codes and 10DLCs, definitely do, since they both serve different purposes and have different benefits.
Local phone number recognition
10DLC enables businesses to reach customers individually or in mass with a local phone number. This vastly improves user experience and customer engagement as a result. Think about your own experience as a consumer. Are you more trusting of a local number being used by a nearby restaurant?
Both text and voice-enabled
10DLCs support voice, which means customers can send and receive text messages on the same number they call you on. Again, this contributes to a better, less confusing, and more seamless user experience. The better the experience, the better your results.
Higher messaging volume (but not the highest)
10DLC numbers feature a higher messaging volume than traditional long codes and toll-free numbers for about the same cost. They can’t compare to the volume that short codes feature, but depending on your SMS text messaging goals, that might not matter to your business.
10DLC registration process with DailyStory
DailyStory makes the 10DLC registration process easy and guided within your account. You only need to register once, and we handle carrier coordination for you.
Step 1: Prepare your business information
Before starting your application, gather the following:
- EIN or Corporation Number (must match legal business name)
- Company address and contact info
- Website URL (must not contain restricted content)
- Privacy Policy URL
- SMS Terms of Service URL
Navigate to Account Settings > Important URLs to add your Terms of Service and Privacy Policy links.
Step 2: Submit your 10DLC application in DailyStory
Go to Account Settings > SMS Marketing 10DLC and complete all required form fields.
Fees (charged by carriers):
- One-time $100 campaign registration fee (DailyStory covers this, billed to your account)
- $20/month ongoing 10DLC fee
Note: Details must exactly match IRS or Corporations Canada records.
Step 3: Sample text messages
You’ll need to provide up to 4 sample SMS messages. Use clean, general examples with placeholders for URLs or names. Avoid real links or sensitive content.
Example:
“Thanks for signing up! Get 10% off your next order. Shop now: [URL HERE]”
Step 4: Website terms and consent language
You must include SMS marketing opt-in consent on your site. Example language:
“By opting into our SMS campaign, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages at the phone number provided. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Message and data rates may apply.”
Include this on your Contact Us page or any form that collects mobile numbers.
10DLC Registration Statuses
After you apply:
- Unverified: Registration failed (usually EIN mismatch or restricted content)
- Verified: Approved—you’re cleared to send registered SMS
Campaign approval typically takes five to 30 business days.
Sending restricted SMS with DailyStory
If your brand falls under a restricted category (like CBD, alcohol, etc.), DailyStory supports compliant sending. Messages are delivered via MMS with age-gated content access.
Recipients must validate their birthdate before viewing content. This ensures compliance with CTIA and carrier guidelines.
Each message includes your account’s logo and requires 4 credits per MMS (about $0.05/message).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register for 10DLC?
Yes. As of February 1, 2025, unregistered traffic will be blocked by carriers.
What is A2P 10DLC compliance?
A2P (Application-to-Person) refers to messages sent from a platform (like DailyStory) to individuals. Carriers require 10DLC registration for all A2P messaging.
Are there any fees?
Yes:
- $100 one-time registration (covered by DailyStory, billed to you)
- $20/month carrier fee
Will registration improve deliverability?
Yes. Registered traffic has 99%+ deliverability and reduced carrier filtering.
What happens if I don’t register?
Your messages will be blocked or heavily filtered and incur a $0.01/message surcharge.
What if I don’t have an EIN?
You cannot complete registration without one. You must register your business and receive an EIN.
Can I use a Gmail address in my application?
No. Use a professional email (e.g., you@yourcompany.com). Free email domains are rejected.
What if my business name or URL contains restricted content?
You must register under a different DBA (Doing Business As) or secure a clean website domain.
Does this change how many numbers I need?
No. You only need one registered number unless you want multiple local area codes.
Conclusion
10DLC registration ensures your SMS marketing is compliant, deliverable, and cost-effective. DailyStory helps simplify the process, guiding you through registration and managing ongoing requirements.
