> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uplifter.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What is SMS consent and how do opt-outs work?

> The opt-in that makes a family textable, how STOP and START flip it, and why some contacts can't be reached.

<Note>
  **Must know**

  * Consent is an explicit, unchecked-by-default opt-in captured at signup or in account settings. Without it, a text is blocked as **No Consent**.
  * A recipient texting **STOP** opts out immediately; **START** re-opens them — though someone who never formally consented may still need to opt in first.
  * Consent is tied to the person and applies across clubs. Revoking it sets an opt-out that blocks further texts.
</Note>

Before your club can text a family, that person has to opt in. Consent is never assumed: a family ticks an unchecked box at signup, or turns it on later in their account settings. Until they do, any text to them is blocked and recorded as **No Consent** — it never leaves the platform.

**How families opt out and back in.** A recipient can reply **STOP** to any text to opt out instantly; they can reply **START** to re-open the door. Note that START only lifts the opt-out — if the person never had consent recorded in the first place, they may still show as No Consent until they opt in through signup or account settings. Families can also flip consent themselves in their account settings at any time.

**Consent follows the person, not the club.** Because a guardian may belong to more than one organization, their consent (and any opt-out) applies wherever they're reached. When someone revokes consent, the platform sets an opt-out that stops further texts to them everywhere.

This is why a text audience is often smaller than you'd expect: unconsented and opted-out contacts are filtered out before every send. If a specific family isn't getting your texts, the usual cause is missing consent or a STOP on their end — reach them by email or in-app instead, and invite them to opt in.

**Related:** [What are SMS campaigns?](/club/communications/what-are-sms-campaigns) · [Turn SMS notifications on or off (family)](/families/families-following/turn-sms-notifications-on-off) · [When a family has opted out of SMS (coach)](/coaches/coach-messaging/coach-chat-family-opted-out-of-sms)