Enable your RCS agent in Klaviyo
You now know what RCS is, and why it’s a game-changer for your brand. So, why wait any longer? It’s time to enable your RCS agent in Klaviyo so you can start sending.
As a reminder, RCS agents are the Sender IDs that brands are required to set up in order to communicate with their subscribers via RCS Business Messaging.
The process is broken down into 7 main steps:
Before submitting your registration, you must ensure that HELP instructions (e.g., reply HELP for help) are present wherever you collect text message consent.
For example, HELP instructions must be present on any sign-up forms that collect text consent . To solve for this, you can either add it into your disclosure language, or within your mobile terms of service.
Log into your Klaviyo account, and complete the following steps:
- Click on your organization name in the left-hand corner.
- Click Settings.
- Click on the Text message tab.
- Find the Set up RCS modal, and click Set up.
- From the dropdown, select the countries you’d like to send RCS messages in. Then, click Next.
You will then use the following modal to build your RCS contact card, which is what recipients see when they click on your brand, rather than a phone number.
You will need to add your:
- Brand name and display name
- Description of the types of messages you’ll be sending
- Brand color
- Cover photo and brand logo
- Brand description
- Contact details
- Privacy policy
- Terms of service
You’ll also have a chance to review all of this information before finishing up. When you’re ready, click Submit.
Note: Make sure your privacy policy contains the following language (or similar language):
- No selling, renting, or sharing of end-user data, or
- Data is only shared with messaging operators or vendors
You can use Klaviyo’s recommended language that covers both items above: We will not share your opt-in to an SMS campaign with any third party for purposes unrelated to providing you with the services of that campaign. We may share your Personal Data, including your SMS opt-in or consent status, with third parties that help us provide our messaging services, including but not limited to platform providers, phone companies, and any other vendors who assist us in the delivery of text messages.
Once you submit, your RCS agent will be in testing mode. While in testing mode, you can:
- Add additional phone numbers
- Preview your agent
- Test your agent by sending test RCS messages
After testing, it’s time to officially register your RCS agent. To do so, head back to the Text message tab in your settings. Find the country you’d like to register in, and click on the 3 dots next to it. Then, click Register.
During registration, you’ll be asked to fill out information such as:
- Company contact details
- Business registration details
- Proof of opt-in collection
- Estimated monthly RCS sends
After you submit your registration, it will be under review by Google and local carriers.
You must additionally complete a Google authorization step, which will be sent to the email listed on your registration.
Depending on where you're registering RCS, there may be some country-specific forms you need to fill out. These will also be sent to you via the email listed on your registration.
Keep in mind that carrier verification can take 4 or more weeks.
Once your agent is approved, you can activate it to start sending RCS in Klaviyo!
To do so, head back to your Text message settings. Next to each country you’d like to activate, click on the 3 dots, and then Activate.
Now, RCS will become the default text messaging protocol for that country.
In addition to prohibited content regulations enforced by regional carriers, Google enforces their own AUP to restrict certain types of content. Approval for RCS by Carriers and Google is always a case-by-case basis. Review the following Google documentation for more information:
For more specifics regarding RCS agent set up and registration, read the article How to set up RCS messaging.
RCS compliance basics
You’re now set up with RCS: what’s next? Before you get to crafting your first message, you need to ensure you’re sending RCS compliantly to protect your brand from large fines and heavy filtering.
You may be wondering; how does RCS compliance differ from SMS compliance?
As a rule of thumb, all SMS regulations also apply to RCS. Refresh your memory on SMS compliance regulations.
Some examples are outlined below:
SMS consent applies to RCS (and vice versa)
The consent your SMS subscribers provided to receive text message communications from your brand also applies to RCS messages. You don’t have to collect additional consent to start sending these subscribers RCS.
Opt-outs apply across both SMS and RCS
When opt-outs occur for either SMS or RCS, that means the subscriber has opted out of text message communications. All SMS and RCS sending must cease to opted-out subscribers.
Avoid sending SHAFT content via RCS
Sending SHAFT (Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco) content via RCS is prohibited. SHAFT brands are generally not supported on RCS.
Always follow local SMS compliance requirements
You should continue to follow all local SMS regulations when sending RCS to those regions. This includes specifics around opt-in rules, prohibited content, sending time, etc.
Always make sure you’re familiar with your local SMS regulations.