SMS Bot: Points to Keep in Mind

Before deploying SMS Bot, review these guidelines to avoid common pitfalls.

Number Assignment

• Each SMS-enabled number can have one active bot at a time.
• Assigning a new bot to a number replaces the previous one.
• Bots only respond to messages sent to the assigned number — messages to other numbers on your account are unaffected.

Keyword Matching

• Keywords are case-insensitive. "HELP" and "help" trigger the same reply.
• If a message contains multiple words, the bot checks for an exact keyword match on the full message first, then falls back to individual word matching.
• Avoid overlapping keywords across actions — the first match wins.

Webhook Reliability

• Dynamic webhook replies depend on your server's response time. If your server takes more than 10 seconds, the bot may time out.
• Test webhooks independently before connecting them to a bot.
• Use HTTPS endpoints for security.
• Verify that your server returns the expected parameter format — the bot inserts the return value directly into the reply template.

Character Limits

• Bot replies follow standard SMS character limits (160 for GSM-7, 70 for Unicode per segment).
• Long replies are split into multiple segments and billed accordingly.
• Menu replies can get long — keep option text concise to stay within 1–2 segments.

Compliance

• SMS Bot auto-replies count as outbound messages and are subject to A2P messaging rules.
• If your number is registered for 10DLC, bot replies must align with your registered campaign use case.
• Include opt-out language in your bot's responses when appropriate (e.g., "Reply STOP to opt out").

Related Articles

• Automate SMS Replies with SMS Bot
• SMS Character Limits and Segments
• 10DLC Campaign Registration