What is a keyword?

A keyword is the word people text to start your flow, as in "Text DEMO to 33777." When the text arrives, Textiful replies with your flow's first message. One keyword is included on your plan, and each extra keyword is $10/month.

How keywords work

• One keyword per flow. A keyword is a flow's trigger. Each flow has one trigger, either a keyword or a QR code, so each one reports on its own.
• Unique on its short code. 33777 and 55444 are shared by every Textiful account, so a keyword belongs to one account on each. If it's taken on one, it may be free on the other. See Keyword taken?
• Yours while you hold it. Like a domain name, a keyword stays reserved for you, and billed, until you release it. See Manage or release a keyword.
• Not case-sensitive. SLIDES, Slides, and slides all match.
• The whole message. The text has to be the keyword alone. "SLIDES please" won't match. See Beat autocorrect.

The rules

• Letters and numbers only, with no spaces, and at least one letter.
• At least 2 and at most 50 characters.
• Some words are reserved and can't be claimed: STOP and its variants, HELP, START, and everyday replies such as YES, NO, OK, and THANKS. Generic words such as FREE, WIN, JOIN, TEXT, VOTE, and TEST are reserved too, as are brand names used in past scams.

What happens with the wrong word?

If someone texts a short word that isn't anyone's keyword, they get: "Sorry, we did not recognize that keyword. Please check it and try again."

Keyword or QR code?

QR codes are free and nobody has to type anything. Many people use both, each with its own copy of the flow. See Keyword or QR code? Use both.

Learn more in the glossary: keyword.