> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.autocampaign.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Channels overview

> How SMS, WhatsApp, Email, and Advertising channels fit together in Autocampaign AI.

## What is a channel?

A **channel** is a way Autocampaign AI reaches and hears from your audience. Each channel
is powered by a [**provider**](/getting-started/glossary#provider) — a company such
as Twilio that carries your messages — which you connect with your own account and
login details. Once a channel is connected, you can use it in campaigns,
automations, and your inbox.

<Info>
  **Time to complete:** \~15–30 minutes per channel  ·  **Difficulty:** Beginner
</Info>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="SMS" icon="comment-sms" href="/channels/sms">
    Two-way text messaging via Twilio or Telnyx.
  </Card>

  <Card title="WhatsApp" icon="whatsapp" href="/channels/whatsapp">
    Conversations and approved templates from your WhatsApp Business number.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Email" icon="envelope" href="/channels/email">
    Campaigns and automatic one-off emails from your own verified domain.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Advertising" icon="bullhorn" href="/channels/advertising">
    Capture leads from Google and Meta Ads and see which ads they came from.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Tell channels and providers apart

Think of a **channel** as the *what* (send SMS) and a **provider** as the *who*
(Twilio). You pick a channel, then connect a provider under it:

| Channel     | Providers                                                                                                           | Connected in                   |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| SMS         | [Twilio](/providers/twilio), [Telnyx](/providers/telnyx)                                                            | Settings → Channels → SMS      |
| WhatsApp    | [Meta WhatsApp Business](/channels/whatsapp)                                                                        | Settings → Channels → WhatsApp |
| Email       | Built-in delivery — verify a [sending domain](/providers/email-domains) and add [senders](/providers/email-senders) | Settings → Channels → Email    |
| Advertising | [Google Ads](/providers/google-ads), [Meta Ads](/providers/meta-ads)                                                | Advertising                    |

<Note>
  For SMS, **one provider is active at a time** per workspace. Switching providers
  removes the previous provider's numbers and messaging services.
</Note>

WhatsApp works a little differently from SMS. You sign in to Meta and pick one
WhatsApp Business number. Messages you send more than 24 hours after a contact's
last reply must use a Meta-approved [template](/getting-started/glossary#template)
(a pre-written message Meta has reviewed). See [WhatsApp](/channels/whatsapp) for
how to connect, templates, and consent rules.

## Connect a channel

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Settings → Channels">
    You'll see providers grouped by channel category.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a provider and click Configure">
    Enter your login details for that provider (for example, Twilio's Account SID
    and Auth Token) on the **Connect** tab. For WhatsApp, click **Connect with
    WhatsApp** and complete the Meta sign-in window instead.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finish setup">
    For SMS, set up a messaging service (the group that holds your numbers) and
    add numbers. Then register for [10DLC](/compliance/a2p-10dlc) (the US carrier
    registration for sending business texts from a local number). For email,
    verify your domain and sender. For WhatsApp, create and submit
    [message templates](/channels/whatsapp#message-templates).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Check a channel's status

Connected channels show a status badge:

* **Active** — connected and able to send.
* **Disconnected** — no valid login details.
* **Error** — your login details were rejected or a connection check failed.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do I need to connect every channel?">
    No. Connect only the channels you'll use. Many teams start with SMS.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use my own provider account?">
    Yes — Autocampaign AI connects to your own Twilio, Telnyx, WhatsApp Business, Gmail,
    Microsoft 365, or ad accounts. You keep control of billing and numbers with the
    provider.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Where do replies go?">
    Incoming SMS, WhatsApp, and email land in your shared [Inbox](/inbox/overview),
    linked to the contact and any related campaign.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Set up SMS" icon="comment-sms" href="/channels/sms">
    Connect Twilio or Telnyx and start texting.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Stay compliant" icon="shield-check" href="/compliance/a2p-10dlc">
    Register 10DLC before sending US SMS at volume.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>