Guidelines for Using Sender IDs with RCS Agents

Question

Can two RCS agents have the same Sender ID?

Applies To

• Rich Communication Services
• Messaging

Answer

Yes, technically two RCS agents can have the same Sender ID. However, this is not recommended for several reasons:

• Separate Conversations: Messages from two agents with the same Sender ID will appear as separate conversations on the recipient's device, potentially leading to confusion.
• Clarity and Branding: Unique Sender IDs help users easily identify the sender of each message and strengthen brand recognition.

Best Practices for Sender IDs:

• Uniqueness: Choose a unique Sender ID whenever possible to distinguish your messages.
• Alphanumeric Characters: Sender IDs should consist of letters (a-z, A-Z) and numbers (0-9) only. Emojis and special characters are not allowed.
• Length: The maximum length for a Sender ID is 25 characters. Note that characters may be truncated after 15 characters on the recipient's device, appearing as "..."
• Phone Numbers (Optional): While phone numbers can be used as Sender IDs, they are not as intuitive and do not leverage the benefits of RCS messaging.

Choosing an Effective Sender ID:

• Brand Name: Use your brand name or a well-known abbreviation for clear identification.
• Descriptive Names: If using a generic name, ensure it clearly describes the message purpose (e.g., "CustomerSupport" or "ShippingUpdates").

Following these guidelines will help ensure your RCS messages have clear and recognizable Sender IDs, improving the user experience.