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Keyword opt-in

Let people join by texting a word to your number, and what happens when they do.

Last updated November 7, 2026

A keyword lets people join by texting a word to your number, like COFFEE, without opening a page. It belongs to a webform: they join the form’s business, get its welcome text and its tags, and show up in its Results as Keyword.

Add a keyword#

Open the form, go to Edit, and find Keywords. Type a word, click Add, then Save changes.

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Rule What it means
3 to 20 letters or numbers Spaces and punctuation are taken out: join now becomes JOINNOW.
Capitals don't matter Texting coffee or Coffee works for COFFEE.
One form per keyword Two forms of the same business can’t share a keyword, even if one is paused. Different businesses can use the same word, since each texts from its own number.
Up to 10 per form Handy for a misspelling people often make, or one word per sign.
Not a carrier word STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT, REVOKE, OPTOUT, START, UNSTOP, YES, HELP and INFO already mean something to carriers, so they can’t be join words. Nor can a word with STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, OPTOUT or REVOKE next to a number, like STOP2WIN: a reply with one of those in it opts people out.

A word that can’t be used says why straight away:

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Pick a word that’s short, easy to say out loud and hard to misspell. Stay away from words close to the carrier ones: STARTER is allowed, but people may text START instead.

Show people the keyword#

The form’s Share tab shows the keyword and your number, with a small QR code that opens the texting app with the keyword already typed in:

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It’s also printed on the signs from Print a sign, and the form’s page offers it under the button:

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What happens when someone texts it#

Only the first word counts, so COFFEE please works and Hi COFFEE doesn’t.

Who texts it What happens
Someone new They’re subscribed to the business and get the form’s welcome text straight away. The form’s tags are added.
Someone already on your list They get “You’re already on Harbor Coffee’s list. Reply STOP to opt out.” (at most once a day) and no second welcome. The form’s tags are added.
Someone who opted out Nothing, and they stay opted out. See Opt-outs, STOP and START for how they come back.
Anyone, when your contact limit is full They aren’t added, and get “Harbor Coffee can’t add new subscribers right now.” at most once a day.
Anyone, while the form is paused Nobody is signed up. They get “Harbor Coffee isn’t taking signups by text right now.” at most once a day, unless you turned that off (see Pause signups). Someone already on your list gets the “already on” reply instead, and someone who opted out gets nothing.
Anyone, while the form isn't live yet Nothing: nobody is signed up and there’s no reply.
Anyone, while the business is paused Nothing, whatever the form says.

Texting a keyword is consent, but carriers also want the terms where people see the word. Print them beside it: how often you text, that rates may apply, and HELP and STOP. The signs from Print a sign already carry this.

Anyone who joined by keyword can reply STOP at any time, like everyone else.