RCS campaigns

Rich Communication Services (RCS) enhances SMS with multimedia, branding, and interactive features. This allows your brand to create engaging messages that build customer trust, grab attention, and encourage quick responses.

RCS rollout

RCS is actively being rolled out across the mobile messaging ecosystem, including countries, carrier networks, and operating systems.

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RCS rates

Sending RCS messages to unsupported countries or carriers will be charged at RCS rates even if delivered by carriers as SMS. It may incur additional charges or message degradation (for example, instances of send failures).

Successful RCS delivery is dependent upon all of the following:

1. The recipient's device must support RCS, specifically mobile operating systems, including Apple iOS 18.1 and Android 9.0 or later.
2. The recipient must have data connectivity, either mobile data or Wi-Fi connection to the internet.
3. The recipient's carrier network must support RCS.

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Country and network coverage

As RCS rolls out around the world, more countries and networks are being added. For details on the latest list of coverages, see the Countries and networks supporting RCS section on this page.

RCS features

• Build trust with verified sender profiles: Include RCS-enabled brand elements like logos and brand names to help customers recognize your business and reduce the risk of scams.
• Increase engagement: Use high-quality media (images and videos) to create a more engaging messaging experience that drives higher clickthrough rates.
• Collect valuable customer data: Gather data from customer interactions (like button clicks) to better understand their preferences and tailor future messages.
• Provide instant interaction: Let customers reply instantly with buttons for actions like confirming appointments or choosing products.
• Make browsing easier: Use carousels to display multiple products or options in a single message, making it easier for customers to compare and decide.
• Customize your messages: Create messages that fit your brand using a visual editor. No coding skills needed!
• Ensure reliable communication: If RCS isn't available, SMS fallback ensures your messages still reach customers.
• Measure customer engagement: Read receipts provide insights into when customers open your messages, helping you refine and optimize your campaigns.

Messaging with RCS

RCS enhances customer communications by integrating branding, multimedia, and interactivity. With Bloomreach Engagement, you can deploy RCS for promotional, transactional, and multi-use campaigns, delivering engaging experiences to customers' devices.

RCS use cases

Promotional campaigns

Capture your audience's attention with engaging promotions that boost sales. Imagine a travel brand sharing a colorful carousel of vacation packages. Users can scroll through and select their perfect getaway right from the message.

Transactional notifications

Keep your customers informed with timely confirmations and account notifications. Picture a retailer sending order confirmations, estimated delivery times, and clickable buttons for easy shipment tracking, enhancing the shopping experience.

Multi-purpose messages

Combine order updates with special offers to increase customer interest. After confirming an order, you can follow up with an exclusive discount for the next purchase. This helps build loyalty and encourages customers to buy again.

RCS analytics

Use RCS analytics to measure campaign success. Analytics provide key insights like delivery rates, read rates, and button clicks. Use this data to improve your messaging strategy and create more effective campaigns.

RCS setup

To set up RCS, review the RCS setup for mobile messaging article.

Countries and networks supporting RCS

The table below includes the latest list of countries and networks with RCS coverage. More countries and networks will be added as they become available.

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Important

Read the RCS rollout section for information about rates and legal requirements that may affect your usage and compliance.

RCS is supported for Android from version 9.0 and higher and for iOS from version 18.1.

Compliance

Opt-in and opt-out

You must allow users to opt in and out of communication. Subscribers must have the option to unsubscribe from RCS communication by request. After users opt out, you must not send them further communication unless they choose to opt back in. After obtaining opt-in from users, you can send them any RCS communications at any time.

Prohibited and restricted content

Review prohibited and restricted content guidelines.

SHAFT compliance

You must ensure CTIA’s SHAFT compliance in the US and other relevant regions. Examples of restricted content include:

• Sex
• Hate speech
• Alcohol
• Firearms
• Tobacco