How RCS Registration works

Overview

Rich Communication Services (RCS) allows businesses to send branded, interactive messages to customers. Unlike traditional SMS, RCS supports verified business profiles, brand logos, images, buttons, and other rich messaging features.

Before a business can start sending RCS messages, its sender must complete a registration and verification process. This helps ensure that businesses are legitimate, recipients have provided appropriate consent, and messaging campaigns comply with carrier requirements.

RCS registration involves two main stages: Google RCS Registration and Country-Specific Registration, where applicable.

1. Understanding the Two-Part Registration Process

A. Google RCS Registration

Google RCS registration is mandatory for all businesses that want to send RCS messages, regardless of the country in which they operate.

During this process, businesses must provide the following information:

Business Information

• Business or brand name

• Official business website

• Business contact information

• Business description and industry

Authorized Representative

• Full name of the authorized representative

• Business email address

• Contact information

• Role or designation within the company

Opt-In and Opt-Out Information

• How customers provide consent to receive RCS messages

• Where the opt-in process takes place, such as a website form, booking page, or registration form

• How customers can unsubscribe from future messages

• Links to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service

Messaging Use Case

• Purpose of the messages

• Types of messages customers will receive

• Events or actions that trigger messages

• Sample messages demonstrating the intended communication

Notification Settings

• Email address or contact details for receiving registration updates and notifications

Important: The opt-in process must be live and accessible during registration. Carriers or verification teams may test the opt-in flow to confirm that customers are providing appropriate consent.

B. Country-Specific Registration

Depending on the destination country, additional registration and verification may be required.

For example, businesses sending RCS messages to major US carriers must complete additional verification requirements.

For US registration, businesses generally need to provide:

Legal Business Information

• Registered legal business name

• Employer Identification Number (EIN) or applicable registration number

• Registered business address

• Business industry and company type

• Official business website

The information submitted should match the company’s official registration records.

Campaign Information

• Description of the messaging campaign

• Intended audience

• Message triggers

• Sample messages

• Opt-in and opt-out process

Additional Verification

For US carrier registration, Aegis, a third-party verification provider, may verify the business and its authorized representative.

Businesses should ensure that:

• The authorized representative uses a company-branded email address.

• The business details match official registration records.

• The messaging use case complies with applicable carrier policies.

• The opt-in process meets applicable CTIA messaging guidelines.

Failure to provide accurate information may result in registration delays or requests for additional documentation.

2. How the RCS Registration Process Works

The registration process follows several stages.

Step 1: Submit the Registration

The business completes the required Google RCS and country-specific registration details through the applicable registration interface.

Step 2: Initial Review

LC reviews the submitted information for completeness and compliance before forwarding the application for the relevant verification and approval processes.

During this review, the team may identify:

• Missing or incorrect business information

• Incomplete messaging use cases

• Unclear opt-in language

• Missing Privacy Policy or Terms of Service links

• Incorrect branding assets

If changes are required, the business may be asked to update the application.

Step 3: Google and Carrier Review

After the initial review, the registration is evaluated by Google and the applicable carriers or verification providers.

The review may include:

• Verification of business identity

• Validation of the brand name and branding assets

• Testing of the opt-in process

• Review of sample messages and campaign descriptions

• Confirmation of compliance with applicable messaging policies

Carriers may request clarification or additional information before approving the sender.

Step 4: Approval and Activation

Once all applicable approvals are completed, the RCS sender can be activated for supported destinations.

The business can then begin sending RCS messages using the approved sender, subject to platform availability and carrier support.

Note: Google approval alone does not necessarily mean that the sender is approved for every country or carrier. Additional country-specific approvals may still be required.

3. Key Requirements for Successful Registration

Branded Sender Identity

RCS messages are associated with a branded sender profile rather than relying solely on a traditional phone number.

Businesses should prepare:

• Official brand name

• Business logo

• Banner image

• Business description

• Official website

Branding information should accurately represent the business.

Clear and Explicit Opt-In

Customers must understand that they are consenting to receive messages from the business.

The consent language should clearly mention:

• The business or brand name

• Types of messages customers will receive

• Message frequency, where applicable

• Message and data rates, where applicable

• How customers can opt out

For website forms, the messaging consent checkbox should be unchecked by default so customers actively provide consent.

Example Opt-In Language:

“I agree to receive text messages from [Business Name], including appointment reminders, account updates, and promotional offers. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe or HELP for assistance. View our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.”

Consent for promotional messages should be obtained where required, and consent should not be made a condition of purchase when applicable rules prohibit it.

Functional Opt-In and Opt-Out Processes

The opt-in flow must be accessible and functional during verification.

Businesses should ensure that:

• The opt-in form is publicly accessible or can be tested by reviewers.

• Consent is clearly presented before submission.

• Customers can unsubscribe by replying STOP.

• HELP requests receive appropriate assistance information.

• Opted-out contacts are excluded from future messages.

Clear Messaging Use Case

The messaging use case should explain why messages are sent and what recipients can expect.

For example:

Use Case: Appointment confirmations and reminders.

Description: Customers who book appointments through the business website and explicitly consent to receive messages will receive booking confirmations, appointment reminders, and scheduling updates.

Sample Message:

“Hi [First Name], your appointment with [Business Name] is confirmed for [Date] at [Time]. Reply here if you need assistance. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

The submitted sample messages should accurately reflect the messages the business intends to send.

4. Tracking Registration Status

Businesses can monitor their registration status through the applicable registration interface on our UI.

Depending on the registration stage, the sender may have statuses such as:

Status names may vary depending on the provider and registration stage.

Businesses may also receive email notifications when their registration status changes or additional action is required.

5. Best Practices to Avoid Registration Delays

To improve the chances of successful registration:

1. Verify business details: Ensure that the legal name, address, and registration information match official business records.

2. Use a branded business email: Provide an authorized representative’s email address associated with the business domain, especially for US verification.

3. Keep the opt-in flow live: Make sure reviewers can access and test the consent process.

4. Use clear consent language: Identify the business, message purpose, and unsubscribe instructions.

5. Provide accurate sample messages: Samples should match the messaging use case described in the application.

6. Prepare appropriate branding assets: Use clear, high-quality logos and banners that meet the provider’s specifications.

7. Review compliance requirements: Ensure that messages follow applicable local regulations and carrier policies.

8. Monitor registration updates: Respond promptly to requests for corrections or additional documentation.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Google RCS registration required for every business?

Yes. Businesses must complete the applicable Google RCS sender registration before sending RCS business messages.

Q: Is country-specific registration mandatory?

It depends on the destination country and its carrier requirements. For example, additional verification is required for major US carriers.

Q: Can I start sending messages immediately after submitting the registration?

No. The sender must complete the applicable approval and activation process before sending RCS messages.

Q: What happens if my registration is rejected?

The registration may need to be corrected and resubmitted. Common reasons include inconsistent business information, unclear opt-in processes, insufficient campaign details, or compliance concerns.

Q: Do carriers verify the opt-in process?

Yes. Reviewers may test the opt-in flow to ensure that customers are providing appropriate consent.

Q: How long does RCS registration take?

The approval timeline varies depending on the country, carrier, completeness of the application, and whether additional verification is required. There is no single guaranteed approval timeline.

Q: Is RCS registration tied to a phone number?

No. RCS business messaging uses a branded sender identity. Registration is associated with the business and its sender profile rather than an individual SMS phone number.

Conclusion

RCS registration ensures that businesses are verified and that their messaging practices meet Google, carrier, and applicable regulatory requirements.

The process consists of Google RCS registration and any additional country-specific verification.

To avoid delays, businesses should submit accurate company information, maintain a functional opt-in process, provide clear messaging use cases, and ensure that all required branding and compliance information is complete.

Once the necessary approvals are obtained and the sender is activated, the business can begin communicating with customers through RCS on supported networks and devices.