What is a subscribe keyword?

A subscribe keyword is a term someone can text to opt in to receive SMS and MMS marketing messages from your brand. One example of a type of subscribe keyword is “JOIN,” which is the default subscribe keyword in Klaviyo.

How to effectively use subscribe keywords

  1. Choose effective keywords: Pick keywords that are relevant to your brand or a particular campaign you’re planning to launch. Make sure they are short, memorable, and easy to type. For example, you can encourage your audience to text “SALE” to receive promotional messages about discounts you offer.
  2. Promote your keywords: Use all available marketing channels to spread the word about your keywords. For instance, you could post a photo of your latest product on your ecommerce’s Instagram profile with a caption like, “Text NEWARRIVALS to 69528 to get exclusive updates and offers on our new products!” You can also include the keyword in your newsletters, online ads, and other marketing materials.
  3. Segment your audience using different keywords: By using different keywords, you can target different customer segments with tailored messages. For example, you could use one keyword like “DISCOUNT” for people who want to receive special offers and another keyword like “NEW” for those interested in the latest product arrivals. This helps you send more relevant and personalized content to each segment.
  4. Track and optimize keyword performance: Choose a marketing platform with robust keyword tracking tools that will help you monitor the effectiveness of your marketing initiatives. Use this data to find and optimize areas that can perform better.

3 benefits of using subscribe keywords in your messages

  1. Growing your subscriber base: Subscribe keywords are a simple and effective way to build or expand your brand’s list of SMS subscribers.
  2. Regulation compliance: Subscribe keywords help you stay compliant with SMS marketing regulations by encouraging your subscribers to give you their explicit consent to receive marketing messages.
  3. Customer engagement: By offering your customers a quick and efficient way to join your mobile marketing channel, you make it easier for them to engage with your brand. This, in turn, boosts your conversion rates and increases your ROI.

A marketing automation platform like Klaviyo helps you run successful SMS campaigns and automated flows. Use Klaviyo to set up subscribe keywords, share subscribe links, and benefit from features like customizable SMS flows, integrations with 350+ tools and platforms, and comprehensive reporting.

Ready to start engaging with your audience? Sign up for Klaviyo today to start building stronger connections with your customers through SMS.

Additional resources