SMS Compliance

A2P 10DLC Campaign Use Cases

Understanding approved use cases for your SMS campaigns to ensure carrier compliance and maintain deliverability.
What You'll Learn

This article explains the approved A2P 10DLC campaign use cases that determine how carriers handle your SMS messaging. Selecting the correct use case ensures your messages reach recipients and helps maintain compliance with carrier requirements.

You'll discover the different categories of approved use cases, understand what types of content qualify for each, and learn how to choose the right classification for your business communications.

1

What is A2P 10DLC?

A2P 10DLC (Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code) is a messaging framework that allows businesses to send SMS messages to customers using standard 10-digit phone numbers. Carriers use campaign use cases to classify the type of content you send and apply appropriate throughput limits and filtering policies.

When you register a 10DLC campaign, you must select a use case that accurately describes the primary purpose of your messaging. This classification determines how carriers handle your messages and affects deliverability rates.

Important

Selecting an incorrect use case can result in message filtering, reduced throughput, or campaign suspension. Always choose the use case that most accurately reflects the majority of your messaging content.

2

Standard A2P 10DLC Use Cases

The Campaign Registry defines multiple standard use cases that cover most business messaging needs. Each use case has specific requirements and allowable content types.

Use Case
2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)

Messages containing one-time passcodes (OTP) or verification codes for account authentication. This use case is strictly limited to authentication messages only and cannot include marketing content.

Use Case
Account Notifications

Informational messages about customer accounts including password resets, transaction confirmations, order status updates, and security alerts. These messages must relate to existing customer relationships and cannot be promotional.

Use Case
Customer Care

Two-way conversational messages providing support, answering questions, or resolving issues. This includes appointment reminders, service updates, and general customer service communications.

Use Case
Delivery Notifications

Messages about package delivery status, shipping confirmations, and estimated arrival times. This use case is specific to logistics and fulfillment notifications.

Use Case
Fraud Alert Messaging

Time-sensitive notifications about potentially fraudulent activity on customer accounts. This use case requires immediate delivery and is subject to strict content requirements.

Use Case
Higher Education

Messages from colleges and universities to students, faculty, and staff including enrollment information, class schedules, campus alerts, and administrative notifications.

Use Case
Marketing

Promotional messages including special offers, sales announcements, product launches, and advertising content. This use case requires explicit opt-in consent and must include opt-out instructions in every message.

Use Case
Mixed

Campaigns that combine multiple message types such as customer care and marketing. This use case accepts varied content but may have lower throughput limits than specialized use cases.

Use Case
Polling and Voting

Messages for surveys, polls, opinion gathering, and voting campaigns. This includes political campaigns, market research, and customer feedback collection.

Use Case
Public Service Announcement

Non-commercial messages providing important information to the public including emergency alerts, health advisories, and community notifications from government entities or non-profit organizations.

Use Case
Security Alert

Notifications about account security events such as password changes, login attempts from new devices, or suspicious activity. This use case is limited to security-related communications only.

3

Special A2P 10DLC Use Cases

Certain specialized use cases have additional registration requirements or restrictions due to regulatory considerations or industry-specific needs.

Use Case
Agents and Franchises

Messages from independent agents or franchise locations representing a parent brand. This use case requires additional verification to confirm the relationship between the parent organization and individual locations.

Use Case
Charity

Messages from registered non-profit organizations for fundraising, donor updates, and volunteer coordination. Organizations must provide 501(c)(3) documentation during registration.

Use Case
Emergency

Critical, time-sensitive alerts about emergencies such as natural disasters, facility evacuations, or public safety threats. This use case has the highest priority for delivery but strict content requirements.

Use Case
K-12 Education

Messages from primary and secondary schools to parents, students, and staff including attendance notifications, school closures, event reminders, and administrative updates.

Note

Special use cases may require additional documentation during campaign registration. Approval times for these campaigns can be longer than standard use cases.

4

How to Choose the Right Use Case

Selecting the appropriate use case is essential for maintaining compliance and ensuring optimal message delivery. Follow these guidelines to make the right choice for your campaign.

Step 1
Analyze Your Primary Message Type

Review the majority of messages you plan to send. Identify the primary purpose—whether it's promotional content, account updates, appointment reminders, or authentication codes.

Step 2
Match Content to Use Case Definitions

Compare your message content against the descriptions in the standard and special use cases. Choose the use case that most accurately describes your messaging purpose.

Step 3
Consider Mixed Use Case for Variety

If you send multiple types of messages (such as customer service responses and promotional offers), the Mixed use case provides flexibility to accommodate different content types in a single campaign.

Step 4
Verify Opt-In Requirements

Ensure you have proper consent mechanisms in place for your chosen use case. Marketing campaigns require explicit opt-in, while transactional messages may rely on existing customer relationships.

Step 5
Prepare Sample Messages

Have 2-3 example messages ready that demonstrate the content you'll send. Campaign reviewers use these samples to verify your use case selection is appropriate.

Best Practice

When in doubt, choose the Mixed use case or contact support for guidance. Misclassifying your campaign can lead to filtering or suspension, so accuracy is more important than optimizing for throughput.

5

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I change my campaign use case after registration?
Yes, you can update your campaign use case, but the change requires re-submission for carrier approval. During the review period, your campaign may experience reduced throughput or temporary filtering. It's best to select the correct use case initially to avoid disruptions.
Q: What happens if I send messages that don't match my use case?
Carriers monitor message content and compare it against your registered use case. Sending content that doesn't align with your declared use case can result in message filtering, reduced deliverability, campaign suspension, or removal from carrier networks. Always ensure your messages match your registered category.
Q: Do I need separate campaigns for different use cases?
Yes, if you send distinctly different types of messages, you should register separate campaigns with appropriate use cases. For example, authentication codes (2FA) and promotional messages (Marketing) should use different campaigns. However, if your messages vary but fall within a single category, one campaign with that use case is sufficient.
Q: Which use case offers the highest message throughput?
Throughput varies based on multiple factors including your Trust Score and carrier policies. Generally, transactional use cases (2FA, Account Notifications, Fraud Alerts) can achieve higher throughput than promotional use cases (Marketing). However, you must never select a use case solely for throughput advantages—always choose the category that accurately describes your content.
Q: How do carriers verify that my messages match my use case?
Carriers use automated content analysis and manual review to monitor message patterns. They compare keywords, message frequency, opt-in/opt-out rates, and user complaints against your declared use case. Consistent mismatches trigger investigations and potential enforcement actions.
Q: Can I use the Marketing use case for transactional messages?
While technically possible, it's not recommended. Marketing campaigns typically have lower throughput limits and stricter filtering. If you primarily send transactional messages like order confirmations or account updates, use Account Notifications or Customer Care for better deliverability. Reserve Marketing for promotional content.
Q: Are there restrictions on using specialized use cases like Emergency or Charity?
Yes, specialized use cases have strict eligibility requirements. Emergency use cases require verification that your organization handles critical public safety communications. Charity campaigns require valid non-profit status documentation. Attempting to register for these use cases without meeting requirements will result in campaign rejection.
Q: What is the best use case for appointment reminders?
Appointment reminders fit best under the Customer Care use case, as they represent service-related communications with existing customers. If your appointment reminders also include promotional content or special offers, consider using the Mixed use case instead.
Need Help?

If you need assistance selecting the right use case for your campaign or have questions about registration requirements:

  • Navigate to Settings → Phone Numbers in your LeadConnector account
  • Click on the A2P 10DLC Registration section
  • Review the use case descriptions provided during campaign setup
  • Contact support through the in-app chat for personalized guidance on use case selection