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TrueDialog Releases 2025 SMS Marketing Benchmarks & Best Practices Report

On December 9, 2025, TrueDialog, a leading SMS platform designed for enterprises, unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 SMS Marketing Benchmarks & Best Practices Report. This document encapsulates findings from the substantial database of over one billion text messages distributed via the TrueDialog platform. Noteworthy for its extensive analysis, this report is poised to serve as an essential resource for marketers who are keen on refining their communication strategies in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

A Comprehensive Analysis

The report offers in-depth insights into various aspects of SMS marketing including timing, message composition, audience engagement behaviors, unsubscribe trends, and regional responsiveness. As the demand for instant communication continues to surge, the findings reveal that SMS holds a significant advantage over other marketing channels when gauged against metrics such as immediacy, engagement, and return on investment (ROI). According to John Wright, CEO of TrueDialog, this report provides crucial empirical data that will support marketing leaders in crafting effective outreach for the upcoming year.

Key Highlights of the Report

1. Consumer Reception: The analysis shows that a striking 94% of all responses to SMS campaigns were classified as neutral-to-positive. Interestingly, a mere 1% exhibited negative sentiments, demonstrating a strong consumer inclination to welcome text communications from brands. Moreover, 87% of recipients chose not to opt out during a 7-day interaction window, emphasizing a notable willingness to engage.

2. Timing Insights: The findings revealed that the optimal window for SMS delivery is on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. ET, marking it as the busiest sending time. This leads to the conclusion that brands should focus on utilizing off-peak moments for potential higher engagement rates.

3. Unsubscribe Trends: There was a notable spike in unsubscribe rates, particularly at 9 p.m. ET, where messages sent during evening hours resulted in a 22.5% opt-out rate. This underlines the importance of timing in crafting effective SMS strategies, as mid-afternoon messages tend to attract lower unsubscribe numbers.

4. Message Composition: Brands are effectively utilizing the 160-character limit for texts, with an average length of 153 characters. Notably, only 2% of messages incorporated emojis, despite research indicating that their inclusion could significantly enhance engagement rates.

5. Regional Differences: The report shed light on the geographical variations in engagement, noting Alberta, Canada, as the leading region with a 31% response rate, while Oregon and Minnesota showed strong performance in terms of positive responses. Such insights can aid brands in localizing their marketing efforts more effectively.

Strategic Recommendations for 2026

TrueDialog’s report does not stop at presenting data; it also outlines actionable best practices for marketers:

• - Develop compliant subscriber lists complete with clear opt-in disclosures.
• - Leverage emerging technologies such as RCS (Rich Communication Services) to enhance user experiences.
• - Optimize send times to strategically avoid peak unsubscribe periods.
• - Craft concise messages that effectively communicate under 160 characters.
• - Employ emojis judiciously to bolster user engagement.
• - Select enterprise-ready platforms that ensure compliance, high throughput, and reliable delivery.

Amanda McGuckin Hager, Chief Marketing Officer at TrueDialog, emphasized that SMS represents a crucial communication channel in a time where email inboxes are overly crowded and social media engagement is dwindling. The insights provided in this report are positioned to offer marketers a competitive edge as they strategize for 2026, enabling them to foster meaningful and measurable interactions with their audiences.

Conclusion

The 2025 SMS Marketing Benchmarks & Best Practices Report by TrueDialog serves as a foundational text for marketing professionals seeking to refine their SMS strategies. With detailed findings and actionable insights, this resource promises to guide businesses in navigating the complex landscape of customer engagement more effectively.

For those wanting to explore more, the full report is available for download at TrueDialog's official website. By implementing these insights, marketers can pave the way for stronger customer connections and more impactful communication in the future.