Short code

A short code is an abbreviated number — 4 to 6 digits — reserved for intensive A2P uses: mass marketing campaigns, votes, alerts, one-time verification codes. It's leased at a high price, exclusively (dedicated) or shared among several advertisers, and offers send rates far above an ordinary number.

For a local business, the short code is nearly always oversized: its throughput serves national campaigns, not appointment reminders. The locally relevant uses are the short "STOP" codes for unsubscribing and certain group initiatives. The rest of the time, a standard virtual number — with an alphanumeric sender where possible — does the same job for a fraction of the cost.