SMS stop and start words – Ometria Help Centre

💡 If you have a two-way sender ID and contacts were sending STOP words already, these past unsubscriptions will be back-filled in Ometria from 15th October 2025.

Don't worry! You haven't been sending to unsubscribed contacts; our SMS sender was already blocking sends for contacts who text "STOP". What's changed is that these unsubscribes now display in Ometria, so you might notice a change in your SMS subscription KPIs.

Ometria supports opt-out keywords via text message for retailers in North America.

You must have a two-way sender ID (toll free or 10DLC longcode).

The most common keyword is STOP, but if a contact replies to a text with any of the following, they are unsubscribed:

English words:

stop
stopall
end
quit
cancel
unsubscribe

Other languages:

arret (Français)
halt (Deutsch)
detener (Español)
parar (Português)
ferma (Italiano)
ОСТАНОВИТЬ (Русский)
ZATRZYMAJ (Polski)

You can only use STOP texts if you are using a two way sender ID. It's not available for retailers with an alphanumeric sender ID.

If you choose to use STOP texts to manage opt-outs, you don't need to include the subscribe link in your text message templates.

Be aware: If a contact unsubscribes via a stop word, they can only re-subscribe via a start word.

We recommend including some text explaining how to opt-out from text marketing:

Subscribe via reply (start words)

If you'd like to use start words to collect SMS subscriptions (i.e. the contact replies to an SMS with a word like "yes" and Ometria subscribes them to SMS), reach out to your Customer Success Representative.

We support start words in English and French.

The most common start word is "Start", but if a contact replies any of the following they will be subscribed:

English words:

start
begin
resume
revert
unstop

Other languages:

nonarret (Français)

Double opt-in

If you're using start words and you have double opt-in enabled for SMS, your contacts will receive the following message:

English: To confirm your marketing subscription with {Brand name} reply 'Y'

Français: Pour confirmer votre abonnement marketing à {Brand name}, répondez 'Y'

Canadian message:

To confirm your marketing subscription with {Brand name} reply 'Y'
--
Pour confirmer votre abonnement marketing à {Brand name}, répondez 'Y'

Once the contact replies 'Y', they are double opted-in for SMS.

Default responses

These are the default responses your contacts receive when using STOP and START words.

Be aware: Mobile carriers also track STOP messages and will block traffic to the unsubscribing contact's number from your sender ID until they text START. This means your contacts might not always receive a response.

If you'd like to change any of these responses, reach out to your Customer Success Representative.

English

Keyword/trigger	Response
The contact texts any of the following: STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT	You replied STOP and will be opted-out of further marketing messages. REPLY START to opt-in again or HELP for info. Msg&Data rates may apply.
The contact texts any of the following: HELP, INFO	Manage your preferences. Reply STOP to opt out. Msg&Data rates may apply.
The contact texts any of the following: Y, START, UNSTOP	INFO: You have opted in for marketing messages. REPLY STOP to opt out. Reply HELP for info. Msg&Data rates may apply.

French

Keyword/trigger	Response
The contact texts: ARRET	Vous avez ete desabonne et ne recevrez plus de messages. Envoyez START pour vous réabonner Frais std de mgs et donnees appl.
The contact texts: AIDE	Gerez vos preferences. Repondez ARRET pour vous desabonner. Frais std de mgs et donnees appl.
The contact texts: NONARRET	INFO: Vous avez opte pour recevoir des messages. Repondez ARRET pour vous desabonner. Frais std de mgs et donnees appl.

Switching to stop words from subscription links

Here are some best practices and recommendations for a smooth transition from unsubscribe links to START/STOP words.

💬 Communicate the change clearly

Send your subscribers a one-time awareness message explaining the update.

This helps avoid confusion and ensures compliance during the switch.

Example:

“We’re updating how you can manage your messages from [Your Brand]. To stop receiving texts, just reply STOP at any time. You can reply START to opt back in.”

⏳ Retire your opt-out link gradually

We recommend maintaining both methods (link and STOP words) for a short overlap period.

This gives your contacts time to adjust.

Once you are confident that your contacts are familiar with the keyword system, you can phase out the link completely.