Managing Opt Outs and Compliance in Textus for Secure B2B Messaging

Opt outs and compliance—nobody gets excited about these, but if you’re sending B2B texts, you can’t afford to ignore them. Whether you’re a sales manager, operations lead, or the person who “just handles the texting,” this guide will show you how to handle opt outs and keep your messaging above board using Textus. Let’s skip the fluff and get straight to what matters.

Why Opt Outs and Compliance Actually Matter

The short version: if you mess this up, you can annoy your contacts, get your number blacklisted, or land your company in legal hot water. B2B texting isn’t a free-for-all. Even if you’re not texting consumers, you still need to respect people’s wishes and follow the rules.

Here’s what’s at stake:

  • Reputation: Blow up someone’s phone, and you’re not just losing a lead—you might lose future business too.
  • Legal risk: Regulations like the TCPA (in the U.S.) still apply to many business contacts. Fines for violations aren’t cheap.
  • Deliverability: Carriers can block your number if you ignore opt outs or get too many complaints. Then nobody gets your texts.

Bottom line: if you want people to actually read your texts instead of blocking you, you need to get this right.

What Counts as an Opt Out?

Let’s keep it simple: an opt out is any clear request to stop receiving texts. It doesn’t have to be perfectly worded. If someone replies with “stop,” “unsubscribe,” “remove me,” or even a grumpy “leave me alone,” you’re on the hook to stop messaging them.

Some common opt out phrases:

  • STOP
  • UNSUBSCRIBE
  • REMOVE
  • CANCEL
  • QUIT
  • “Don’t text me again”

Pro tip: Don’t get cute or pedantic about exact wording. If the intent is clear, treat it as an opt out.

How Textus Handles Opt Outs

Textus tries to make opt outs pretty foolproof, but it’s not magic. Here’s what actually happens:

  • Automatic detection: If someone replies with standard opt out keywords (like “STOP” or “UNSUBSCRIBE”), Textus automatically marks them as opted out and blocks further texts from your number.
  • Manual opt outs: You (or your team) can also manually mark a contact as opted out right in the app. This is useful if someone uses a non-standard phrase or asks you directly.
  • Opt out list: Textus maintains an internal list of opted-out contacts. Anyone on that list won’t get future messages unless they explicitly opt back in.
  • Audit trail: You can see when and why someone was opted out, which helps if you ever need to prove you did the right thing.

What doesn’t happen:

  • Textus doesn’t read minds. If someone asks to opt out in a roundabout way, you or your team need to catch it and mark them out.
  • It doesn’t automatically sync opt out status with your CRM unless you set that up (and most folks don’t).

Step-by-Step: Managing Opt Outs in Textus

Here’s how to make sure you’re handling opt outs the right way, every time.

1. Set Up Default Opt Out Handling

First, make sure the basics are covered.

  • Default keywords: Double-check that Textus is set to recognize the main opt out keywords (“STOP,” “UNSUBSCRIBE,” etc.). Most accounts have this on by default, but it’s worth a look.
  • Team awareness: Train anyone using Textus to know what opt outs look like and what to do with them.
  • Templates: If you use message templates, add a brief opt-out line to the first message in any new thread. Example: “Reply STOP to opt out.”

Honest take: Overkill? Maybe for some B2B contacts. But if your audience includes anyone outside your direct business network, it’s safer to include it.

2. Watch for Edge Cases

Opt outs don’t always look like “STOP.” People write things in weird ways.

  • Monitor replies: Periodically check for messages that feel like opt outs, even if the keyword isn’t exact.
  • Manual process: If you spot one, open the contact in Textus and mark them as opted out. Document it (just a quick note), especially if it’s not a standard keyword.

What to ignore: Don’t stress over typos like “STPO” or “UNSUBSCRUBE.” Textus catches most of these, and the rest are rare.

3. Keep Your List Clean

This is where most teams drop the ball.

  • Regular reviews: Every month or so, review your opt out list. Make sure you’re not accidentally messaging people who opted out.
  • Import/export: If you upload lists to Textus, make sure opted-out contacts aren’t getting re-added. This happens more than you think.
  • CRM syncing: If you use a CRM, consider syncing opt outs between Textus and your CRM. It’s extra work, but it prevents mistakes.

Pro tip: If you’re not sure whether someone’s opted out, don’t message them “just to check.” Respect the opt out.

4. Handle Re-Opt-Ins Carefully

Sometimes people change their minds. Here’s how to handle it (without being sketchy):

  • Explicit permission: Only mark someone as opted in if they very clearly ask to get messages again. A vague “maybe later” doesn’t count.
  • Audit trail: Keep a note in Textus about who opted back in, when, and how.
  • No pressure: Don’t badger people to opt back in. If they want back on, they’ll let you know.

What the Law Really Says (and What Actually Matters)

Here’s the no-B.S. version:

  • TCPA (U.S.): You need “prior express consent” to text someone. For B2B, this is usually easier—if you have a business relationship, you’re probably covered. But if you’re cold-texting, tread carefully.
  • CAN-SPAM: Technically for email, but some states apply similar rules to texts. Always offer a way to opt out.
  • State laws: California and others have stricter rules. When in doubt, stick to the highest standard.
  • Other countries: If you text internationally, check local rules. The fines can be brutal.

My take: If you’re adding opt out language, honoring opt outs quickly, and not spamming strangers, you’re ahead of most.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

You don’t need to be perfect, but avoid these rookie moves:

  • Ignoring odd opt out requests: If someone asks to stop in any way, honor it, even if it’s not “STOP.”
  • Resending to opted-out contacts: This usually happens when uploading new lists or syncing from another system. Double-check before sending.
  • Letting opt outs pile up: Don’t assume Textus catches everything. Take a look at your opt out list once in a while.
  • No opt out in templates: Adding a simple “Reply STOP to opt out” covers you, even if the law doesn’t always require it for B2B. It also reassures your contacts.

What Actually Works (and What’s Not Worth the Hype)

Worth your time:

  • Keeping opt out handling simple and consistent
  • Training your team to recognize non-standard opt outs
  • Reviewing your opt out list monthly
  • Syncing with your CRM if you have lots of data moving around

Not worth stressing about:

  • Fancy auto-responders for every opt out (one polite message is plenty)
  • Over-customizing opt out keywords (Textus’s defaults cover 99% of cases)
  • Legal language in every message (save that for the lawyers)

Keeping It Simple (and Compliant)

Opt outs and compliance aren’t exciting, but they’re not rocket science either. If you stick to the basics—clear opt-out options, quick responses to requests, and a little regular housekeeping—you’ll avoid most headaches.

Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for a process your team can actually follow, and tweak it as you go. That’s what keeps your texts landing—and your contacts happy.