Enhanced Text Messages
What is an enhanced text message?
An Enhanced Text Message is any text that contains images, special characters (including emojis), or messages between 321-960 characters long on Monthly accounts. These messages cost extra because they require additional processing and data transmission beyond standard SMS.
Enhanced Text Messages include:
- Images (MMS messaging)
- Special characters and emojis not included in the GSM-7 character set
- Messages between 321-960 characters long (Monthly accounts only)
How much do enhanced text messages cost?
Enhanced Text Messages cost 1 additional credit per recipient on Credits plans and 5 cents per recipient on Monthly plans. These charges appear automatically based on your message content.
For Credits plans:
- Enhanced Text Messages cost 1 additional credit per recipient
- Charges apply automatically when you send qualifying content
For Monthly plans:
- Enhanced Text Messages cost 5 cents per recipient
- We track these messages during your billing cycle and add charges to your next bill
What are special characters in text messages?
Special characters are any characters not included in the GSM-7 character set. GSM-7 is the standard encoding system for SMS messages that supports the most commonly used letters, numbers, and symbols in basic text messaging.
Understanding GSM-7:
GSM-7 encoding allows up to 160 characters in a single SMS message using a specific set of supported characters. Any character outside this set triggers Enhanced Text Message pricing.
Why do enhanced text messages cost more?
Enhanced Text Messages cost more because messages with special characters, images, and extended character counts require additional processing power and data transmission from carriers. Text-Em-All passes these carrier costs to users while bundling enhanced features for better value.
Many competitors reduce your character limits or charge separately for image features. We bundle these capabilities to give you more messaging options in one platform.
How do I enable or disable enhanced texts in my account?
Enhanced text settings depend on your account type. Credits plan users cannot disable the feature but can choose not to use enhanced content. Monthly plan users can toggle the feature on or off through their account settings.
Credits plan:
- Enhanced texts cannot be turned off
- You can avoid charges by not using images, special characters, or long messages
Monthly plan:
Account owners can enable or disable Enhanced Text Messages:
- Navigate to Settings > Text Settings in your account
- Scroll to the Add Ons section
- Click the toggle next to "Enable Enhanced Text Messages for this account?"
Note: Only account owners can change this setting. Account admins and sub-users cannot enable or disable Enhanced Text Messages.
Do I have to send enhanced text messages?
No, you are not required to send Enhanced Text Messages. However, some message content automatically triggers enhanced messaging, such as images or special characters you cannot avoid.
Text-Em-All alerts you in the Text Composer whenever your message becomes an Enhanced Text. You can avoid the charges by removing the content that triggers enhanced messaging, such as:
- Deleting images you added
- Removing special characters or emojis
- Shortening messages over 320 characters (Monthly accounts)
Which accounts can use enhanced text messages?
Enhanced Text Messages are available to all account types except Invoiced Monthly plans. Credits plans automatically include the feature, while Monthly plans can enable it as an optional add-on.
Available for:
- All Credits plans
- Monthly plans (as an optional add-on)
Not available for:
- Invoiced Monthly plans