Join keywords (text-to-join)

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Overview

A join keyword is a word people text to one of your SMS numbers to subscribe: “Text JOIN to (your number)”. When a matching text arrives, Autocampaign AI finds or creates the contact and records the subscription. It then runs the actions you chose: add to a segment, send a welcome message, and enroll in a sequence (a series of automatic follow-up messages). Find keywords under CRM → Engagement → Join Keywords in the sidebar (/keywords). For sign-up web pages instead, see join links.

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Before you start

Have these ready:

• At least one number that can send texts, connected under Settings → Channels. Each keyword is tied to a number you’re allowed to send from.
• A role that lets you create keywords. Your plan may limit how many you can have.
• A static segment if you want to add joiners to a segment, and an Active sequence if you want to start a follow-up.

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Create a keyword

Click Create Join Keyword and work through the five steps.

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How matching works

Capitals don’t matter. Only Active keywords on the number that received the text are considered. A message matches when the keyword is:

1. The whole message — JOIN, join.
2. The first word — punctuation at the end is ignored, so Join please! matches JOIN; VIP-1 doesn’t match VIP.
3. A whole word anywhere — Can I join? matches JOIN; rejoin doesn’t.

If several keywords match, the closer match wins, then the longer keyword (VIPCLUB beats VIP). A message that also contains an opt-out word (STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, and so on) never triggers a whole-word match. Reserved keywords. Opt-out and opt-in handling always runs first. You can’t create a keyword that clashes with it: STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT, HELP, INFO, START, YES, UNSTOP, plus any custom opt-in or opt-out keywords.

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What happens to the contact

• The contact is found by phone or created (first name “Subscriber”, source Join Keyword). The text itself appears in the contact’s inbox thread.
• Opted-out contacts are declined. A keyword never re-subscribes someone who texted STOP; they must text START or YES first.
• The subscription is recorded once per contact per keyword. A first-time join adds a Keyword joined entry to the contact’s activity timeline with the keyword and message text as proof of consent.
• The welcome message is sent once per contact from the keyword’s own number, and copied into the inbox thread. Repeat texts don’t resend it, and it’s skipped if the keyword is paused or deleted first.
• The contact is added to your segment on every matching text, so someone removed from the segment rejoins by texting again. Sequence enrollment follows from segment membership.

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Manage keywords

Each keyword is Active or Paused. Pause stops matching (texts go to your inbox as normal messages), Resume turns it back on, Duplicate copies the settings under a new word, and Delete removes it. The Settings tab holds the sharing kit. It has a QR Code (Download PNG / Download SVG), a Short URL (a short web address), and Share Text (“Text KEYWORD to NUMBER”). The QR code and short URL open the visitor’s messaging app with your number and keyword already filled in.

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Track how your keywords perform

The list opens with New Subscribers Today, Active Keywords, Total Subscribers, Opt-Out Rate, and Conversion Rate. Below are Best Performing Keywords, Recent Activity, and insight cards (top converter, peak joining window, follow-up impact) once there’s enough data. A keyword’s Analytics tab shows Subscribers, Welcome sent, Replies, Opt-outs, Appointments booked, and Conversions. It also shows Subscriber Growth by day, week, or month, a Conversion Funnel (subscribed → welcome sent → follow-up started → appointment booked → converted), and Top Joining Times. Activity is a timeline of joins, welcome sends, sequence starts, and bookings. Subscribers lists each contact with Joined Date, Status, and Open Contact. “Converted” means the contact’s stage is now Customer.

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FAQ

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Troubleshooting