Customize the Opt-Out Texts in AfterShip SMS

Overview

Opt-out text is an important part of an SMS message that allows customers to easily stop receiving further messages. AfterShip Tracking provides simple options for businesses, giving their customers an easy way to unsubscribe and control their message preferences.

What you’ll learn

• Supported opt-out methods for different countries
• Steps to set up opt-out messages in AfterShip SMS

Supported opt-out methods for different countries

In order to provide customers with the flexibility to manage their SMS preferences, 2 built-in convenient opt-out methods are available:

• Texting STOP: Customers can simply text “STOP” to the sender’s number to prevent receiving future messages.
• Opt-out Link: Alternatively, customers can click on the provided opt-out link within the SMS.

Only 1 opt-out option can be included in an SMS at a time. The option used depends on the type of sending number, customer's region, and language. Please refer to the table below to see which opt-out method applies to each sending number.

However, it’s important to note that specific countries may have unique requirements based on local regulations:

• Singapore and France: For SMS sent to these countries, AfterShip employs a fixed alphanumeric sender ID, “AfterShip,” instead of individual business phone numbers due to the local regulations. Consequently, opt-out keywords, such as “STOP,” will not work with this alphanumeric sender ID, and only the opt-out link will be supported.

• Other Countries: For SMS sent to all other countries, businesses have the flexibility to choose between the opt-out keyword or the opt-out link option, depending on their preference and local regulations.

Keywords

The words customers send to your sender number for subscription or unsubscription.

• Keywords are predefined and cannot be modified.
• When a customer sends an opt-out keyword, an unsubscribe action is triggered if the keyword appears anywhere in the SMS.

Steps to set up opt-out messages in AfterShip SMS

1. Click Settings > Email and SMS in your AfterShip Tracking admin dashboard

2. Select SMS, then navigate to Opt-out text settings.
3. Edit or customize the primary and secondary default opt-out texts under the Default section.

A. Opt-out instructions (primary text)

• When editing the out-out text instructions, make sure to include the *|OPT_OUT_KEYWORD|* merge tag in the message.
• By default, the unsubscribe instructions are: Text *|OPT_OUT_KEYWORD|* to opt out.  These unsubscribe instructions: 

a. Are not available for branded sender IDs.

b. Can be edited.

c. Stays the same for every recipient (i.e., it is not automatically translated to other languages unless specifically added).

Note:

1. For anyone using a toll-free number, if a subscriber unsubscribes using the keyword STOP, they must resubscribe using the keyword START.
2. By default, AfterShip provides primary opt-out texts for most regions. However, certain regions require an opt-out link, and therefore secondary default text is used.

B. Opt-out link (Secondary text)

The opt-out link allows recipients to click a link to opt out of SMS. As soon as the recipient clicks the link, they are redirected to a page to confirm the opt-out via an Unsubscribe button. Please note that the customer will need to click the Unsubscribe button to opt-out, not just click the link. 

This link:

• Is available for all the opt-out methods.
• Does count towards the message’s click rate. 
• Cannot be edited (i.e. choose a different domain)

Note:

The opt-out link cannot be edited, but the text (secondary text) carrying the link can be. When editing the out-out link's text message, make sure to include the *|OPT_OUT_LINK|* merge in the message so that it can automatically retrieve the unsubscribe link.

• Can be disabled.

4. Add custom opt-out text by clicking Add language and region

5. Insert your custom opt-out text and click Save.

How to disable the opt-out text

The opt-out text option is always toggled on by default for every SMS campaign and flow message in AfterShip. You can deselect the opt-out text in the SMS editor, however, doing so means that none of the SMS messages sent from that template will include the opt-out text.

FAQs

1. Why aren’t unsubscribe instructions available for branded sender IDs?

• Unsubscribe instructions typically require customers to reply with a keyword (such as “STOP”) to your sender number.
• However, branded sender IDs cannot receive incoming messages. This means that even if a customer replies with “STOP,” the message will not be delivered or processed. Because branded sender IDs are one-way only and do not support inbound SMS, keyword-based unsubscribe instructions cannot function with them.

2. Is the opt-out text automatically translated based on browser or device language settings?

No. The opt-out text is fixed and cannot be automatically translated or adjusted based on the recipient's device or browser language. If you want the opt-out text to match the language of your SMS, you can manually update it to align with the language used in your SMS flow action.

In case of any further assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team.

Updated on: 05/03/2026