Configure opt-in and opt-out settings in eCourtDate to comply with carrier requirements and the Campaign Registry, ensuring your messaging campaigns meet industry standards.

### Overview

Opt-in and opt-out compliance is essential for any SMS messaging campaign. Carriers and the Campaign Registry require that recipients can subscribe to and unsubscribe from your messages using specific keywords. eCourtDate provides default opt-in and opt-out settings that follow industry best practices, and you can customize these settings to match your agency's specific needs. This article covers campaign registration settings, opt-out keyword configuration, carrier-specific exemptions, and auto-enrollment setup. Agency administrators responsible for messaging compliance will find this guide most useful.

To learn more about carrier requirements, visit the [Carrier Registration](https://ecourtdate.com/carrier-registration) and [Opt-In Compliance](https://ecourtdate.com/opt-in-compliance) pages.

### Prerequisites

Before configuring opt-in and opt-out settings, make sure you have:

- Admin or Super Admin access to your eCourtDate agency
- A registered campaign with the Campaign Registry (for opt-out keyword customization)
- Access to **Admin** > **Settings** in the eCourtDate application
- Familiarity with your campaign type (standard, special, low volume, short code)

### How-To Steps

#### Step 1: Review Your Campaign Registration Settings

Your campaign registration defines the opt-in and opt-out policies shared with carriers. The following settings are configured during registration:

- Opt-in keywords
- Opt-in message
- Opt-out keywords
- Opt-out message

To check your current campaign settings:

1. Log in to your [eCourtDate agency](https://app.ecourtdate.com).
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click **Agency Setup**.
3. Click the **Carriers** tab.
4. Review any configured opt-in and opt-out settings displayed for your registered campaign.

For short codes, the campaign registration is part of the program brief. Refer to [How to Complete Carrier Registration](/how-to-complete-carrier-registration) for more information.

> **Note:** If you need to make changes to an approved and activated campaign, [contact the help team](/get-help). Making changes to an activated campaign may require additional verification by carriers.

#### Step 2: Configure Opt-Out Keywords

To customize the opt-out keywords that eCourtDate automatically recognizes:

1. Log in to your [eCourtDate agency](https://app.ecourtdate.com).
2. Click **Admin** > **Settings** in the top navigation.
3. Search for the **Opt-out Keywords** setting.
4. Enter a comma-separated list of opt-out keywords you want to recognize (case-insensitive).
5. Click **Save** to apply the changes.

If you leave the **Opt-out Keywords** field blank, eCourtDate will automatically recognize these default keywords:

- STOP
- UNSUBSCRIBE
- CANCEL
- QUIT
- WRONG NUMBER

![Opt-out Keywords Settings](https://assets.ecourtdate.com/images/articles/general-settings-opt-out-keywords.png)

To disable opt-out processing entirely, click the **Disable Opt-out Keywords** checkbox. This disables all opt-out keywords, messages, and blocking for your agency.

> **Note:** Carriers may recognize opt-out keywords (such as "STOP") regardless of your settings. If you disable opt-out tracking, you are required to automatically process opt-outs in your primary system of record. When using a low volume campaign, opt-out processing cannot be disabled.

#### Step 3: Apply for a Carrier-Specific Exemption (If Applicable)

If your agency is a verified government entity, you may qualify for a carrier-specific exemption from opt-out requirements. You must meet all of the following conditions:

- Your entity registration is completed with the Campaign Registry
- Your entity is verified as a government entity
- Your vetting has been verified
- You have a standard or special campaign that has been fully activated and approved

To check your current campaign status, visit the [Carriers tab](https://app.ecourtdate.com/campaigns) in your eCourtDate agency.

If a specific carrier states "Opt Out Required" and you meet the above conditions, [contact the help team](/get-help) to request an exemption.

#### Step 4: Configure Enroll Keywords (Auto-Enrollment)

eCourtDate can automatically enroll subscribers when they send an inbound text message containing certain keywords.

1. Log in to your [eCourtDate agency](https://app.ecourtdate.com).
2. Click **Admin** > **Settings** in the top navigation.
3. Search for the **Enroll Keywords** setting.
4. Enter a comma-separated list of enrollment keywords you want to recognize (case-insensitive).
5. Click **Save** to apply the changes.

If you leave the **Enroll Keywords** field blank, eCourtDate will automatically recognize these default keywords:

- ENROLL
- ACTIVATE
- SIGN UP
- JOIN
- SUBSCRIBE
- REGISTER
- START

![Enroll Keywords Settings](https://assets.ecourtdate.com/images/articles/general-settings-enroll-keywords.png)

#### Step 5: Configure the Enrollment Auto Response Message

The enrollment auto response message is configured per phone number.

1. Log in to your [eCourtDate agency](https://app.ecourtdate.com).
2. Click **Admin** > **Settings** in the top navigation.
3. Click the **Agency Phones** tab.
4. Click **Edit** for the phone number you want to customize.
5. Set the **Enrollment Auto Response** field to the message you want to send when a subscriber enrolls.
6. Click **Save** to apply the changes.

![Enroll Message Auto Response](https://assets.ecourtdate.com/images/articles/agency-phones-enrollment-auto-response.png)

#### Step 6: Disable Inbound Auto-Enrollment (Optional)

If you do not want eCourtDate to automatically enroll subscribers from inbound messages:

1. Log in to your [eCourtDate agency](https://app.ecourtdate.com).
2. Click **Admin** > **Settings** in the top navigation.
3. Search for the **Disable Inbound Auto-Enrollment** setting.
4. Click to enable the setting.
5. Click **Save** to apply the changes.

> **Note:** Auto-enrollment messages are sent in addition to the carrier-provided opt-in message.

### What to Expect

After configuring your opt-in and opt-out settings, eCourtDate will automatically process keyword-based opt-outs and enrollments according to your configuration. Changes to keyword settings take effect immediately. Carrier exemption requests may take additional time as they require carrier review and approval.

### Best Practices

- Keep the default opt-out keywords (STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, QUIT, WRONG NUMBER) active even if you add custom ones, to ensure maximum compliance.
- Review your campaign registration settings periodically to ensure they match your current messaging practices.
- Test your opt-out and enrollment keywords by sending a test message and replying with each keyword to confirm they work as expected.
- Document your opt-in and opt-out policies and share them with your team so everyone understands the compliance requirements.
- Configure a clear, informative enrollment auto response message that tells subscribers what to expect from your messaging program.

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What happens when a recipient texts "STOP" to our agency number?**
A: eCourtDate automatically recognizes the opt-out keyword, sends the configured opt-out response message, and blocks future outbound messages to that number. The contact's opt-out status is recorded in the system.

**Q: Can I disable opt-out processing for my agency?**
A: You can disable opt-out processing by clicking the **Disable Opt-out Keywords** checkbox in **Admin** > **Settings**. However, carriers may still process opt-out keywords like "STOP" at the network level. If you disable opt-out tracking, you must handle opt-outs in your primary system of record. Low volume campaigns cannot disable opt-out processing.

**Q: Do I need to re-register my campaign if I change opt-out keywords?**
A: Changing opt-out keywords in eCourtDate settings does not require campaign re-registration. However, if you need to change the keywords registered with the Campaign Registry itself, [contact the help team](/get-help) as this may require additional carrier verification.

**Q: What is the difference between opt-out keywords and enroll keywords?**
A: Opt-out keywords (like STOP) unsubscribe a recipient from your messages. Enroll keywords (like START or SUBSCRIBE) subscribe a new recipient to your messaging program. They serve opposite functions.

**Q: Are keyword matches case-sensitive?**
A: No. All keyword matching in eCourtDate is case-insensitive. "STOP", "stop", and "Stop" are all recognized equally.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** Opt-out keywords are not being recognized.
**Symptoms:** A recipient sends "STOP" or another opt-out keyword, but they continue to receive messages from your agency.
**Solution:**

1. Go to **Admin** > **Settings** and verify the **Opt-out Keywords** setting is configured correctly.
2. Confirm the **Disable Opt-out Keywords** checkbox is not enabled.
3. Check that the recipient's message exactly matches one of the configured keywords (no extra text before or after).
4. If the issue persists, sign in to eCourtDate and create a ticket by clicking the ticket button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

**Issue:** Auto-enrollment is triggering for unintended messages.
**Symptoms:** Inbound messages that are not enrollment requests are being processed as enrollments.
**Solution:**

1. Review the configured enroll keywords under **Admin** > **Settings** to ensure they are specific enough and do not overlap with common words recipients might use.
2. Consider removing overly broad keywords.
3. If auto-enrollment is causing too many false positives, disable it by enabling the **Disable Inbound Auto-Enrollment** setting.

### Related Articles

- [How to Manage Agency Phone Numbers](/how-to-manage-agency-phone-numbers)
- [How to Create a Custom Domain](/how-to-create-a-custom-domain)
- [How to Send a Message From the Dashboard](/how-to-send-a-message-from-the-dashboard)
- [How to Create an Auto Message](/how-to-create-an-auto-message)