Messaging limits and compliance
To send texts from a US local number, your workspace completes a one-time Text messaging setup (10DLC); once your number is connected, usually within minutes, Ody handles opt-out compliance automatically and enforces sensible media limits so your messages deliver reliably.
Registration: the one-time setup
US carriers only deliver application-to-person texts from a local ("10-digit long code") number when it runs on an approved campaign. Ody owns approved campaigns; a workspace admin turns texting on in Settings → Numbers → Text messaging setup, a four-phase stepper:
- Business info — your legal name, EIN (sole proprietors can register with a name and mobile number instead), address, website, and industry.
- Campaign — what kind of messages you send, how customers opt in (describe one concrete method, at least 40 characters), and 1–5 real sample messages. Compliant opt-in, HELP, and STOP language is applied automatically. Submitting charges the one-time $20 setup fee per number right away and ends a running free trial, so the form asks you to confirm first.
- Connecting — Ody attaches each paid local number to its approved campaign and verifies it with every carrier, usually within a few minutes, retrying automatically if needed.
- Texting live — your local numbers can now send SMS and MMS, and the owner gets a Texting is live email.
For the full background on what 10DLC is and why carriers require it, see What is 10DLC and why it matters.
Until your number is connected
- Receiving works immediately — incoming texts land in your inbox from day one; setup only gates outbound sending.
- Outbound texts are blocked with a clear message: "texting isn't set up yet" before you submit, or "is being connected" for the few minutes after. Nothing is silently dropped.
Opt-outs and required language
- Customers can always reply STOP to opt out and HELP for assistance — this is handled at the carrier level, and the required language is built into Ody's approved campaign automatically.
- Only text people who have agreed to hear from you, and keep your messages consistent with the use case you described in the setup. That's what keeps your number's deliverability healthy.
Message and media limits
- Attachments: up to 10 per message, 5 MB per file; oversized media is automatically resized toward carrier limits. See Send photos and attachments (MMS).
- Group texting isn't supported yet — see Group texting.
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Frequently asked questions
Why can't I text before completing Text messaging setup?
US carriers only deliver business texts from a local 10-digit number when it runs on an approved 10DLC campaign. Ody blocks outbound texts until your number is connected to Ody's approved campaign so your messages are never filtered as spam.
What happens when a customer texts STOP?
Opt-outs are honored automatically at the carrier level, and compliant STOP/HELP/opt-in language is applied to your campaign for you — you don't need to add it to every message.
How long does setup take?
Usually a few minutes after you submit. Ody connects your numbers to its own carrier-approved campaign, so there is no multi-day carrier review.