To avoid spamming your recipients there are five core things you need to follow.


1. Permission


The recipient must be clearly aware that he or she may receive commercial messages in the future. Opt-ins can be gained by:


  • Filling in a form

  • Ticking a box on a website

  • Asking over the phone

  • Asking face-to-face

  • Texting to a number

  • Certain existing business relationships


If an organisation has a strong relationship with the owner of the number such as a club member or service subscriber then consent to receiving messages messages may be "implied".


2. Identification


By law you must always identify yourself by company name within the message, as it will come from a number the recipient most likely will not recognise.


3. Labeling requirements


You need to add <ADV> at the start of your message in order to label your SMS as a marketing message.


4. Opt-out


As part of responsible messaging, you must also provide an opt-out mechanism. This mechanism should be displayed within the message and can take the following forms:


  • Reply STOP to the message

  • Text STOP to a dedicated virtual number

  • Call a number in the message

  • Click on a link to unsubscribe


5. Wash list against the Do Not Call (DNC) Registry


Text message marketers in Singapore must wash their lists against the Do Not Call Registry before uploading to Burst SMS.


For more info please see: DNC Registry


You can use this service to clean your list:


DNC Lookup


Singapore SPAM Resources


IMDA Anti Spam Website


Singapore Spam Control Act