Avochato Messaging Policies – Avochato Help Center

We at Avochato aim to promote dialogue between our customers and their contacts. As part of this mission, we expect that all communication through Avochato is sent with the consent of the recipients. We want to ensure that each message sent through Avochato goes to someone who wants to receive that message.

The types of content permissible to be sent through Avochato are detailed in our Acceptable Use Policy. We developed this Messaging Policy to help Avochato customers send compliant messaging.

Opt-in Consent Requirements

You must obtain agreement from each recipient before sending them any communication through Avochato, a process called “opting in.” It also must be clear to each recipient the type(s) of communication they are agreeing to receive from you.

This consent only applies to the types of messages they agree to receive from you. It cannot be used to allow you to send them different messaging or send messages from a different entity.

You may not inherit or acquire opt-in consent for a recipient passed over from another entity. You must receive consent directly from the recipient.

You cannot collect or transfer opt-in consent to affiliates or third parties.

If you receive an inbound message from a contact who has not previously opted-in, you may engage in a conversation under the context of their initial message. However, you must obtain additional consent if you wish to send the recipient communication outside of that conversation.

Opt-In Methods

1) Webpage opt-in form (most common)

Update the sign-up flow or “Contact Us” section to include a phone number field with opt-in language to collect consent. Also, all Avochato plans include a customizable Website Widget. Once added to your site, it lets customers opt-in for SMS messages and start an instant chat with you.

When obtaining consent via a webform, you will need to include opt-in language in your consent disclosure.

"By checking this box, you agree to receive a message to the provided phone number from [YourCompanyName]. Standard message and Data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt-out.”

This is essential for A2P (Application-to-Person) registration and to avoid potential issues with messaging delivery and compliance.

You must also include a link to your Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions on the webpage.

2) QR code

Generate QR Code: Your customers scan the code with their camera. Then they click the link which pops them into their messaging app. The messaging app opens to a pre-filled message to your Avochato number. The pre-populated text in the message box can be customized, e.g. "Yes, sign me up for texts from [YourCompany Name]".

Once the text is sent to your Avochato number, the customer receives an automated response and they are enrolled in messaging.

Opt-in Keywords can be setup and our automated Survey tool. A Survey is a series of automated questions, e.g. Thanks for signing up! What’s your full name, Great! What's your email address? etc etc

3) Website widget

Avochato offers a highly customizable website widget you can place into any webpage to encourage engagement and collect opt-in consent. This comes with your existing plan without additional cost.

4) Call to Action button on an email

Send an email blast with "Click to sign up for texts". The button opens a form where the user submits their information and consent.

5) Manual form (hand written)

Collect consent on a paper form during sign up or registration.

6) On a Recorded Call

Obtain consent on a recorded call that's tracked. Ensure you're stating the following: Message frequency may vary, reply STOP to opt out. Standard message and data rates apply.

Double Opt-In Consent

You are required to obtain double opt-in for certain use cases that are frequently associated with unwanted communication. Some examples of these use cases include:

Affiliate marketing

Lead generation services

Financial products such as debt refinancing, loans, and short-term credit offers

Tax preparation assistance

Job alerts

Obtaining double opt-in consent is a two step process:

The recipient must provide consent prior to receiving any text message from you as described above.

In your first message to the recipient, you must identify yourself and prompt the individual to confirm their consent.

For example, after receiving the first level of consent, your first outbound message could be, “This is Company X. You recently signed up to receive text messages from us. Please reply YES to confirm or STOP to unsubscribe.” Only after you receive the confirmation “YES” may you send communication in line with the recipient’s expectations.

Recipient Opt-Out Requirements

Due to updates in both Avochato's Messaging Policy and phone carrier guidelines, Sender ID and opt-out language components are now required and will be automatically embedded to the end of qualifying outbound messages via a compliance template.

In this compliance template, all qualifying messages that are not a response to a contact (ie. non-conversational) will have two parts:

1. Sender ID (Organization name) to identify yourself

2. Opt-out language (ie. "Reply STOP to opt-out")

Note: In order for a recipient to opt back into receiving messages from you, they can send the keyword START to your Avochato number.

Learn more about qualifying messages and compliance requirements by going to this article.

Content We Do Not Allow

To protect the integrity of our service we do not allow certain types of content to be passed through Avochato, including:

Anything that is illegal in the jurisdiction where the recipient lives.

Fraudulent messages

Malicious content, such as malware or viruses

Hate speech or harassment

A more comprehensive list of forbidden content can be found in this article as well as in our Acceptable Use Policy.

How Violations to this Policy are Enforced

If our system or our partners’ systems detect unwanted messages, those messages may be prevented from being delivered and/or the sending phone number may be suspended from using Avochato. We will work with our customers in good faith to guide them towards appropriately compliant messaging, but if we find that a customer is intentionally violating these policies we reserve the right to remove access to Avochato.