Text Keywords | Mobile Keywords

What Is a Text Keyword?

In order to legally send messages to a subscriber you must have their full consent. One of the compliant ways to build a contact database is through keyword opt-in. A text keyword is a word or phrase that someone can text to your verified number in order to join your contact list. This is perfect for businesses because there are no forms they need to fill out, no app they need to download, and no web address they need to write down.

While other mobile keywords can only collect phone numbers or send a simple auto-response, Trum·pia's text message keywords are a powerful gateway to advanced features, enabling you to capture data and engage your contacts automatically. Plus, we offer unlimited text keywords, unlike our competitors who charge per keyword.

How It Works

Text keywords take the hard work out of building a subscriber list. By having a contact text in a word to an organization's designated phone number, they are opting to receive messages from that company or organization. Starting SMS keyword campaigns works whether you use a toll free number or a designated short code.

01 Choose your text keyword and register it in our system.
02 Display your keyword in your store, collateral, and advertisements.
03 Whenever someone texts your keyword to your number, their phone number will automatically be captured in our system.
04 Have a response automatically sent to people who opt-in via an Auto Response.

How Do I Set Up an SMS Keyword in Trum·pia?

Sign in to your Trum·pia Account. To create a keyword, click on the SIGN-UPS tab and click on CREATE KEYWORD on the top right corner of the screen.

The KEYWORD field is where you will type out what you want your keyword to be. A Keyword must be at least four characters, can be alphanumeric, and it is not case sensitive. Please note that KEYWORDS must abide by our terms of use and may not include anything that could be considered offensive.

The DESCRIPTION is an optional field and is for your own reference only.

There are two different opt-in methods. If you want your subscribers to be added to your database immediately after they text your keyword, select NO in this drop down menu. Otherwise, if you select YES, a confirmation text will go out to all subscribers that text your keyword asking them to confirm their opt in.

Click on the plus icon to select or create a list your subscribers will be added into. For this video, we're going to select an already existing list by clicking on the box associated with the list name. Click OK.

Enter an age restriction. The minimum age for texting is 13. However, if your target age group is older, feel free to put that age in this box.

Select an Organization name by clicking on the dropdown menu associated with the ORGANIZATION NAME field.

Create the message your subscribers will receive when they opt in by clicking on CREATE AUTO RESPONSE. Type the message in the section labeled PLEASE ENTER TEXT MESSAGE and click SAVE.

There are three different types of auto response frequencies.

If you want the auto response to send every time a subscriber texts your keyword, select EVERY TIME in the dropdown menu associated with the AUTO RESPONSE section.

If you want the auto response to send only once per contact, select ONE TIME PER MOBILE NUMBER.

If you want to set a frequency in which your auto response will send, select ONLY ONCE EVERY and set the frequency.

You can also set up an ALTERNATE AUTO RESPONSE. An alternate auto response is a message that will be sent to contacts after they text the keyword for the first time. By enabling this setting, a subscriber that texts your keyword for the first time will receive the auto response. When they text your keyword again, they will receive the alternate auto response.

Tick the box to agree to terms of use.

Click CREATE on the top right corner of the page.

Please note that it may take some time for the status of your keyword to change to ACTIVE. You can refresh or revisit the page at a later time to see the new status.

There are 3 different statuses: PENDING, APPROVED, and DENIED.

If a keyword is PENDING, it is still being reviewed to make sure that your keyword and the auto-response do not contain any prohibited content.

The APPROVED status means that your keyword is now active.

The DENIED status means that your keyword has been rejected. You will need to delete and then recreate your keyword.

Do More with Trum·pia's SMS Keywords

Automated Workflows
This feature interacts with subscribers, automatically branching down different messaging paths based on how they respond. This allows you to do various tasks like answering common questions or directing customers to the right information. The level of automation our workflows enable is unmatched. Learn more
Data Capture
Gather much more information from your subscribers by asking questions and automatically capturing their responses into your database. Learn more
Mass Texting
Send text messages to hundreds of subscribers in the blink of an eye. Our user interface makes the process simple, letting you automatically personalize your messages and target them for each recipient, all automatically. Learn more
Drip Campaigns
Automatically send messages related to your chosen keywords, customer actions, or other parameters. Let the software take care of the tedium while still driving audience interest and engagement.

Tips for Choosing the Right Text Marketing Keywords

When choosing the right keywords for your messages, keep in mind the mnemonic “BAR”: brevity, association, and relevance.

Brevity Short keywords stick in your audience's minds better and are easy to remember.
Association Choose a word or phrase that is readily associated with your brand image.
Relevance Keywords that tie in to your campaign's objectives have more impact.

An Audience-Oriented Marketing Strategy

Notify your audience of appointments, upcoming events, sales, and more in a way that maintains engagement. Mobile phones go everywhere with their owners, ensuring those in your contact lists will always be only an SMS message away.

Text Keywords Asked Questions

What disclosure text should my ads include for keyword opt‑ins?

Include your brand, opt‑in intent, HELP/STOP instructions, and “Msg&Data rates may apply,” plus a link to terms/privacy. Place this disclosure text near the call‑to‑action (e.g., “Text DEALS to 12345…”) to keep programs clean and compliant.

How do Text Keywords work to simultaneously opt-in a new subscriber and trigger an immediate automated workflow?

When a user texts a specific keyword to your number, the platform automatically records their explicit opt-in consent and instantly triggers a pre-designed automated response, such as sending a welcome text or launching a multi-step drip campaign. This is the core mechanism for lead capture automation.

Can I use multiple text keywords for different segments or promotions?

Yes — you can create unlimited text keywords (under Trumpia’s platform) to target separate campaigns, audiences, or offers, ensuring that each keyword maps to its own unique auto-response and corresponding list or segment.

What is Keyword Hijacking and how can a business protect its branded keywords?

Keyword Hijacking occurs when a business loses a preferred keyword to a competitor or another entity, disrupting marketing efforts. You can prevent this by securing a dedicated short code or by using a platform that reserves your branded keywords with a keyword lock system.

What is the process for setting up a Text-to-Win or Text-to-Vote promotion using a mobile keyword?

To set up a Text-to-Win or Text-to-Vote promotion, you simply designate a keyword (e.g., "WIN") and link it to an automated action that sends an entry confirmation and, for voting, tallies the response. This method uses the keyword as a frictionless way for customers to engage in real-time contests or polls.