Mobile carriers now require all businesses to be registered to send text messages through apps like Follow Up Boss. As part of the registration process, carriers want to see how you're collecting people's contact information, whether they are opting in to be contacted by your business, and providing instructions on how they can opt-out if they no longer want to be contacted. They do this by having a third-party reviewer go to your website and confirm that the primary Contact Us form includes clear opt-in/opt-out language.

Note: BoomTown, CINC, Luxury Presence, RealGeeks, Sierra Interactive, and Ylopo web forms already meet the requirements for opt-in consent.

Who Requires Op-In Consent?

Opt-in requirements come from the carriers and third parties who approve text campaigns for businesses to send texts to consumers. This requirement is not from Follow Up Boss.

Note: If you don't have a website, check out Create a Business Page with a Contact Form.

What do I need to do? 

To approve your business registration, the primary Contact Us form must have clear opt-in language that includes: 

1. Explicit opt-in (e.g. "I agree to be contacted by text...")
2. How to opt-out (e.g. "Reply STOP to unsubscribe.")
3. Who will be sending the messages (e.g. "ABC Realty Group")
4. Link to your company’s Privacy Policy. Your website provider may provide this. We recommend adding the statement below to your privacy policy to meet requirements: "Data will not be shared with third parties for marketing or promotional purposes." 
5. The contact form must have a phone number field. 

We also recommend including:

1. Fees may apply (e.g. "Msg/data rates may apply.")
2. Message frequency (e.g. "Msg frequency varies.")

Example

Here is an example of approved opt-in language:


"I agree to be contacted by [Your Business Name] via call, email, and text. To opt-out, you can reply 'stop' at any time or click the unsubscribe link in the emails. Message and data rates may apply. [Link to Privacy Policy]"

You can copy the text above and send it to your web developer to have it added to the primary Contact Us form on your website. 

How do I submit the Business Registration?

The owner or admin users can complete the Business Registration by going to Admin > Business Registration. Follow the steps outlined in How to Register Your Phone Numbers to complete the Business Registration. 

FAQs 

What if I don't have a website? 

If you do not have your own website you can use your brokerage's or company's website, as long as the opt-in language meets the TCR requirements on their primary contact form. You can also create your own simple, free website using Wix. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to Create a Business Page with a Contact Form.

What if I have a website, but no form? 

Email your website developer to have it added! If you do not have the ability to edit the form on your website, you can spin up a simple, free website using Wix so that you can add opt-in language to the contact form. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to Create a Business Page with a Contact Form.

My website has a reCaptcha with Google's privacy policy, is that enough? 

Using reCaptcha with Google's privacy policy is not adequate, you need your own Privacy Policy for your website.

How do I create a privacy policy?

We recommend asking your website provider if they have a template they can provide. Otherwise, there are services available online like Termly that can help generate a Privacy Policy for your business. 

How can I adjust my RealScout opt-in language? 

To adjust your RealScout opt-in language, Log In to RealScout > Click Your Name in the upper left-hand corner > Settings > Enable Display Text Message (TCR) Disclaimer on public sign-up screens.

This will enable the opt-in consent on all lead captures on your website.