> ## 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.

# Join keywords (text-to-join)

> Let people subscribe by texting a keyword to your number, then add them to a segment, send a welcome text, and start a follow-up sequence.

## Overview

A [join keyword](/getting-started/glossary#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](/contacts/segments),
send a welcome message, and enroll in a [sequence](/campaigns/sequences) (a series of
automatic follow-up messages). Find keywords under **CRM → Engagement → Join
Keywords** in the sidebar (`/keywords`).

<Tip>
  **In short:** 1) Pick a word and the number people will text. 2) Choose what
  happens when someone joins. 3) Share the keyword on print, signage or online.
</Tip>

<Info>
  **Time to complete:** \~10 minutes  ·  **Difficulty:** Beginner  · 
  Keywords match only while **Active**.
</Info>

For sign-up web pages instead, see [join links](/campaigns/join-links).

## 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.

## Create a keyword

Click **Create Join Keyword** and work through the five steps.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose your word" icon="hashtag">
    Type the **Keyword**: letters and numbers only, up to 64 characters, stored in
    capitals. Availability is checked as you type: **is available**, **Already in
    use on this number**, or **Reserved for compliance replies**. Suggestion chips
    (`JOIN`, `VIP`, `SALE`, …) are shortcuts you can edit. With more than one number,
    pick **Number customers will text**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="What happens next" icon="bolt">
    Check at least one action: **Add to segment**, **Send welcome message**, or
    **Start follow-up sequence**. A sequence runs through your segment, so it locks
    **Add to segment** on.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose segment" icon="filter">
    Pick the **Segment** (or **Create New Segment**) and, if turned on, the
    **Follow-up sequence**. The lists filter each other so you only see pairs that
    work together. Saving adds the segment to the sequence's audience.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Welcome message" icon="message">
    Write the **Welcome message** (up to 1,600 characters). Keep `HELP` and `STOP`
    instructions in it; the default text already does.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review" icon="check">
    Confirm the **Keyword**, **Number**, **Segment**, **Actions**, and **Welcome
    message**, then save.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The keyword and its number can't be changed after creation. Edit the segment,
  welcome message, or sequence any time, or **Duplicate** the keyword under a new
  word.
</Note>

## 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](/compliance/opt-in) or [opt-out](/compliance/opt-out) keywords.

## 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](/inbox/overview) 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.

<Note>
  There is no second confirmation step. The keyword text is the opt-in; the welcome
  message is a confirmation, not a request to reply.
</Note>

## 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.

## 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.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I use the same keyword on two numbers?">
    Yes. Keywords are unique per number, so `JOIN` can run different actions on
    each number.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can the welcome message use merge tags?">
    No. It's sent exactly as written. (A merge tag is a placeholder like `first_name`
    that fills in each contact's details.)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does deleting a keyword remove its subscribers?">
    No. Contacts, segment membership, and activity history are kept.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why is my keyword 'Reserved for compliance replies'?">
    It clashes with a built-in or custom opt-in/opt-out keyword. Choose another
    word, and avoid look-alikes such as `STOPPING`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why didn't a text subscribe anyone?">
    Confirm the keyword is **Active**, the text went to the right number, the
    message didn't also contain an opt-out word, and the sender isn't opted out.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why didn't the welcome message arrive?">
    Welcome sends need an active SMS channel and number, a message that isn't blank,
    and a contact who isn't opted out. They go out only on the first join.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Card title="Follow up with a sequence" icon="diagram-next" href="/campaigns/sequences">
  Build the multi-step follow-up your keyword enrolls subscribers into.
</Card>