Opt-ins, consent, and subscription statuses
How opt-ins work at Bird.
Learn how consent is collected, recorded on contact profiles, and best practices for WhatsApp, Email, and SMS compliance.
Channel-specific subscription statuses
Contacts can choose which channel(s) they subscribe to. This means that a contact could be subscribed to just one channel, or to multiple channels.
Understand that consent for WhatsApp does not imply consent for Email, or vice-versa.
Subscription statuses are recorded on contact profiles. For each channel, the available subscription statuses are:
Subscribed: This indicates that the customer has actively opted-in to receive marketing communication on that channel.
Unsubscribed: This indicates that the customer had opted-out of receiving marketing communication on that channel. Messages sent to this customer on this channel will not be delivered.
Blank: This indicates that the customer has neither opted-in, nor opted-out of receiving marketing communication on that channel. In certain circumstances, you can still send marketing messages to customers with a Blank subscription status.
Read more about WhatsApp's opt-in policies.
Consent requirements
Contacts must grant explicit consent to communicate using business-initiated WhatsApp messages.
Consent can be obtained via specific keywords in a WhatsApp thread or manually if they've given express and verifiable consent.
Opt-in process
You can collect opt-ins on and off WhatsApp, including via your website, interactive voice response (IVR) flows, or in person with customers signing a physical document.
Best practices
Avoid messaging customers too frequently, provide clear opt-out instructions, and respect opt-out requests promptly to maintain customer satisfaction.
Regulatory compliance
Adhere to the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy, which includes securing necessary notices and consents, protecting data, and complying with applicable laws.
Key laws
Ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR, especially when it comes to data protection and privacy.
Consent and unsubscribe options
Every email should include an unsubscribe link, allowing recipients to opt-out easily.
Compliance with laws
Adhere to key laws such as GDPR, CAN-SPAM Act, and CASL. These laws require explicit consent for email marketing and mandate clear opt-out mechanisms.
Best practices
Regularly update your email list to remove unengaged subscribers, ensure content relevance, and maintain email deliverability.
Consent requirements
Obtain explicit consent before sending marketing messages. Consent can be captured through sign-up forms, in-store sign-ups, or via digital channels.
Opt-out mechanism
Provide a clear and easy way for contacts to opt out of SMS communications, such as texting a keyword like "STOP."
Compliance with laws
Follow regulations like TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) and GDPR, which mandate clear disclosure and consent for SMS marketing.
Best practices
Send messages during appropriate hours, personalize content, and keep the frequency of messages reasonable to avoid overwhelming subscribers.
