--- title: "Short Code: Build Your Subscriber List" description: Learn how to build your subscriber list. --- [Skip to content](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-build-your-subscriber-list#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![stw\_logo\_navy\_fullcolor-4](https://support.scaletowin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/stw_logo_navy_fullcolor-4.png?width=160&height=104&name=stw_logo_navy_fullcolor-4.png)](https://www.scaletowin.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://support.scaletowin.com/contact) [Contact us](https://support.scaletowin.com/contact?hsLang=en) Hi! How can we help? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Scale to Win](https://support.scaletowin.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Scale To Win Text | Phone Number Types](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text-phone-number-types?hsLang=en) 3. [Short Code](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text-phone-number-types?hsLang=en#short-code) # Short Code: Build Your Subscriber List | **TABLE OF CONTENTS** | | --- | | - [Options to Build Your Subscriber List](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-build-your-subscriber-list#options-build-subscriber-list) - [Keyword Opt-Ins](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-build-your-subscriber-list#keyword-opt-ins) - [Custom Keywords](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-build-your-subscriber-list#custom-keywords) - [Import Existing Subscribers From A CSV](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-build-your-subscriber-list#import-existing-subscribers) - [Import Subscribers From Your Website](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-build-your-subscriber-list#import-subscribers-from-website) - [Create an API Key](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-build-your-subscriber-list#create-an-API-key) - [Sync To Your System](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-build-your-subscriber-list#sync-to-your-system) - [Import Your ActBlue Donors](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-build-your-subscriber-list#import-actblue) - [Import Your ActionKit Subscribers](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-build-your-subscriber-list#import-actionkit) - [Threads](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-build-your-subscriber-list#threads) - [Suggested Articles](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-build-your-subscriber-list#suggested-articles) | Short Code is a 5-6 digit phone number used for sending and receiving SMS and MMS messages at scale. Short Code texting is opt-in only, meaning you can only text people who have explicitly agreed to receive messages from you.  Prior to targeting your audience, ensure all your opt-in methods are connected to Scale to Win Text. ### **Options to Build Your Subscriber List:** - Keyword opt-in, including custom keywords - Import a CSV of existing subscribers - Website API - ActBlue webhook - ActionKit sync #### **Keyword Opt-Ins** **Fixed Keywords** When applying for a Short Code, you must provide at least one keyword for **opting in**, one for **opting out**, and one for **support**. For instance, users could text JOIN to subscribe, STOP to unsubscribe, and HELP for assistance. You can choose any word for the opt-in keyword, but emojis are not permitted. Scale to Win will set up the keywords you include in your Short Code application. These will appear in the tool as **Keywords**.  ![](https://support.scaletowin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-03-2026-10-17-58-6249-PM.png?width=670&height=247&name=undefined-Apr-03-2026-10-17-58-6249-PM.png) When a contact texts a Fixed Keyword to your Short Code, they’ll receive the corresponding autoresponse script. These scripts cannot be changed without resubmitting them to the carriers. Reach out [to our Client Support team](https://support.scaletowin.com/contact?hsLang=en) for assistance with script changes. ### **Custom Keywords** You can add custom keywords with different autoresponse scripts. Existing subscribers who text a custom keyword will receive its specific response. New subscribers, upon texting a custom keyword, will be added to your list and receive both the approved opt-in message and the custom script. **To add custom keywords:** **1.** Navigate to your **Audiences** page. **2.** Click on **Audience Settings**. **3.** Scroll to the **Keywords** section and click **+ New Custom Keyword.**  ![](https://support.scaletowin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-03-2026-10-19-13-7887-PM.png?width=2048&height=725&name=undefined-Apr-03-2026-10-19-13-7887-PM.png) ![](https://support.scaletowin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-03-2026-10-19-24-3127-PM.png?width=2048&height=1209&name=undefined-Apr-03-2026-10-19-24-3127-PM.png) **4.** In the popup window, add the keyword (one word) and the script your contacts will receive automatically in response.  **5.** Click **Save**. ![](https://support.scaletowin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich%20Text%20Pasting/google-1756338202822-3.png?width=504&height=395&name=google-1756338202822-3.png) You can create as many keywords as you need as long as the use case is aligned with your registration. - Keywords must be between 3 and 15 characters - Avoid using keywords that are registered trademarks or infringe on third-party rights - No keywords should be racist, profane, or pornographic - Keywords must be one word, using only letters and numbers (no spaces or special characters) - Keywords are not case sensitive **Note:** Emojis can be used as custom keywords, but **not as opt-in keywords**. Be aware that emoji appearance can vary across devices, and newer emojis might not be supported on all platforms. #### **Import Existing Subscribers From A CSV** **1.** Navigate to your **Audiences**page. **2.** Click **Add Contacts**. ![](https://support.scaletowin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-03-2026-10-20-00-1251-PM.png?width=1776&height=640&name=undefined-Apr-03-2026-10-20-00-1251-PM.png) **3.** Choose an upload method: Text Entry or File Upload. **a. Text Entry:** Enter the phone number, first name, and last name of the subscriber into the popup. **b. File Upload:** File upload requires a CSV file with phone numbers at minimum. Drag in a file or select from your desktop. **4.** By default, the upload feature sends an opt-in confirmation message from your Short Code, as required by carriers. Keep this toggle on if a confirmation message has never been sent to contacts on this list. If confirmation has been sent elsewhere, toggle this off to prevent a duplicate message. ### **Import Subscribers From Your Website** Connect your website's phone number collection field to Scale to Win Text using an API key. This API endpoint creates or updates subscribers linked to your Short Code number. #### **Create An API Key** **1.** Click on your initial in the top right corner. **2.** Navigate to your **Organization Settings**. **3.** Click **API Keys**. ![](https://support.scaletowin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich%20Text%20Pasting/google-1756338202822-1.png?width=624&height=276&name=google-1756338202822-1.png) #### **4.** Click **+Create API Key**. ### **Sync To Your System** **1.** Ensure your system can interact with API endpoints and has the correct authorization tokens.  **2.** Send a POST request with the subscriber's first name, last name, phone number, and an optional welcome message. Third-party tools such as Hightouch can streamline syncing subscriber data with this endpoint, making it easier to automate and manage.  **3.** For detailed API documentation, navigate to your **Organization Settings**, select the **API Keys** tab, and click **View API Documentation**. ![](https://support.scaletowin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich%20Text%20Pasting/google-1756338202822-2.png?width=624&height=272&name=google-1756338202822-2.png) #### **Import Your ActBlue Donors** You can sync your ActBlue donors with your Short Code subscribers list using the ActBlue webhook. For detailed instructions, please refer to our [ActBlue Sync: Short Code Opt-Ins](https://support.scaletowin.com/actblue-sync-short-code-opt-ins?hsLang=en) article. #### **Import Your ActionKit Subscribers** To sync Short Code opt-ins collected in ActionKit with your Scale to Win Text account, utilize the ActionKit webhook. For detailed instructions, refer to our [ActionKit Sync: Short Code Opt-Ins](https://support.scaletowin.com/action-kit-sync-short-code-opt-ins?hsLang=en) article. ### **Threads** To view message threads with subscribers, click the **View Thread** messaging icon in the subscriber's row in your **Audiences** page. Conversation threads with Short Code users are created in these cases: **1.** When you message a contact as part of an outbound campaign. **2.** When a current subscriber texts the Short Code, with or without a keyword. **3.** When a non-subscriber texts an opt-in keyword. **Note:** Non-subscribers who text opt-out or help keywords will get automated messages, but no conversation thread will be created. **Details:** Click on the arrow icon in a subscriber’s row to see details about how they were subscribed, view your thread with them, or opt them out manually. **Suggested Articles:** - [Register For Short Code](https://support.scaletowin.com/register-for-short-code?hsLang=en) - [ActBlue Sync: Short Code Opt-Ins](https://support.scaletowin.com/act-blue-integrations-how-to-set-up?hsLang=en) - [Short Code Messaging Overview](https://support.scaletowin.com/short-code-messaging-overview?hsLang=en) - [ActionKit Sync: Short Code Opt-Ins](https://support.scaletowin.com/action-kit-sync-short-code-opt-ins?hsLang=en) - [Scale to Win Text](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [Creating Text Campaigns](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text?hsLang=en#creating-text-campaigns) - [Navigating Your Menu & Features](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text?hsLang=en#navigating-your-menu-features) - [Integrations & Data Management](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text?hsLang=en#integrations-data-management) - [Best Practices, Troubleshooting & FAQs](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text?hsLang=en#best-practices-troubleshooting-faqs) - [Glossary](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text?hsLang=en#glossary) - [Scale To Win Text | Phone Number Registration](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text-phone-number-registration?hsLang=en#main-content) - [10DLC](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text-phone-number-registration?hsLang=en#10dlc) - [Short Code](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text-phone-number-registration?hsLang=en#short-code) - [Compliance Guidelines](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text-phone-number-registration?hsLang=en#compliance-guidelines) - [Scale To Win Text | Phone Number Types](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text-phone-number-types?hsLang=en#main-content) - [10DLC](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text-phone-number-types?hsLang=en#10dlc) - [Short Code](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text-phone-number-types?hsLang=en#short-code) - [Scale To Win Text | Guides for Texters](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text-guides-for-texters?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text-guides-for-texters?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [Texter View](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-text-guides-for-texters?hsLang=en#texter-view) - [Scale to Win Dialer](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-dialer?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-dialer?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [Creating Call Campaigns](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-dialer?hsLang=en#creating-call-campaigns) - [Features](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-dialer?hsLang=en#features) - [Navigating Your Menu](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-dialer?hsLang=en#navigating-your-menu) - [Managing Call Campaigns](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-dialer?hsLang=en#managing-call-campaigns) - [Integrations & Data Management](https://support.scaletowin.com/scale-to-win-dialer?hsLang=en#integrations-data-management) - [Caller Academy | Guides for Callers](https://support.scaletowin.com/caller-academy-guides-for-callers?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.scaletowin.com/caller-academy-guides-for-callers?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [Making Calls & Clicking](https://support.scaletowin.com/caller-academy-guides-for-callers?hsLang=en#making-calls-clicking) - [Billing](https://support.scaletowin.com/billing?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Setting up your billing portal](https://support.scaletowin.com/billing?hsLang=en#setting-up-your-billing-portal) - [Payment Methods](https://support.scaletowin.com/billing?hsLang=en#payment-methods) - [Understanding Charges](https://support.scaletowin.com/billing?hsLang=en#understanding-charges) [![stw\_logo\_navy\_fullcolor-3](https://support.scaletowin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/stw_logo_navy_fullcolor-3.png?width=100&height=65&name=stw_logo_navy_fullcolor-3.png "stw_logo_navy_fullcolor-3")](http://scaletowin.com) Copyright © 2025, Scale to Win