How to Write a Review Request SMS Template (TCPA-Compliant)

An SMS review request that converts well is short, personal, and legally bulletproof. The TCPA allows plaintiffs to recover statutory damages of $500 per unsolicited text in private civil suits — trebled to $1,500 per text for willful or knowing violations. A poorly worded template sent to 1,000 unconsented numbers is a potential $500,000 lawsuit. Here's the template, with the compliance requirements that have to be in it.

1. 1

   Confirm you have prior express written consent on file

   Before sending any review-request SMS, confirm the recipient gave prior express written consent for marketing SMS at the time you collected the number. Review-solicitation SMS is generally treated as marketing by the FCC under the TCPA, not transactional. Without documented consent for marketing texts, the template doesn't matter — every send is a potential $500 statutory-damages claim.

2. 2

   Open with the sender name in the first 5 words

   'Hi Sarah — it's Maria at Maria's Salon.' Carriers and recipients both flag messages without a clear sender identity. Identifying yourself in the first line drops spam-flagging meaningfully and improves replies.

3. 3

   State the ask in one short sentence

   'Thanks for coming in! If you have 20 seconds, mind leaving us a quick Google review?' Under 15 words. Conversational. No exclamation marks stacked. No emoji walls.

4. 4

   Include the link and the legally-required opt-out

   Full template: 'Hi Sarah — it's Maria at Maria's Salon. Thanks for coming in! If you have 20 seconds, mind leaving us a quick Google review? [short link]. Reply STOP to opt out.' The STOP language is required by the TCPA for marketing SMS — every message, every time. Some businesses also add 'HELP for help' but STOP is the must-have.

5. 5

   Keep it under 160 characters to stay one segment

   Above 160 characters, the message splits into two segments which (a) costs more and (b) sometimes arrives out of order on older devices. Trim aggressively. 'Thanks for coming in!' beats 'We really appreciate you coming in today!' for both cost and clarity.

6. 6

   Send from a registered 10DLC or toll-free number

   Sending business marketing SMS from a personal cell or an unregistered long-code number violates carrier rules and triggers spam filters. Register a 10DLC (10-digit long code) through a legitimate provider (Telnyx, Twilio, Bandwidth). Registration takes 3–7 days and is required by all major US carriers.

7. 7

   Honor STOP replies immediately and permanently

   When someone replies STOP, your sending system must stop sending to that number IMMEDIATELY and PERMANENTLY. A single text to someone who opted out can support a $500 statutory-damages claim, trebled to $1,500 for willful or knowing violations. Most SMS platforms handle STOP automatically; verify yours does and audit the suppression list quarterly.