RCS Messages

What are RCS messages

RCS (Rich Communication Services) uses mobile data or wifi to send these messages and requires the recipient to have RCS activated on their device. No app needs to be installed as the default SMS app can be used.

RCS in Selligent allows marketers to send rich content, that is text or a rich card containing images, videos and buttons. RCS also supports the use of a carousel. Carousels allow you to present multiple rich cards within a single RCS message, making them a powerful tool for showcasing a variety of products, services, or options in a compact, visually engaging format. With support for up to 10 cards, each containing images, text, and action buttons, carousels provide a dynamic and interactive experience that drives engagement.

When a recipient does not have RCS activated, a fallback SMS is sent, containing the text part of the RCS message, limited to 160 characters.

Note: RCS needs to be activated for your environment. Please contact Zeta to get you started with this.
Once activated, you need to have at least one RCS endpoint defined for your environment.

 

When to use RCS messaging in your journeys

Use RCS when the campaign needs a richer, more trusted, more interactive experience than SMS or MMS can provide.

RCS is best for marketing campaigns where you want to include:

  • rich media
  • buttons
  • suggested replies
  • carousels
  • or guided actions

Use RCS instead of SMS when the message needs more than plain text. Good examples include product launches, promotional offers with images, abandoned cart reminders with a button, appointment flows with quick replies, store-locator actions, loyalty updates, or campaigns where brand recognition matters.

Use RCS instead of MMS when you want the media to be part of an interactive journey rather than just an image or video. MMS can show visuals, but RCS can add structured cards, carousels, call-to-action buttons, suggested replies, and richer branded presentation.

 

Prerequisites

To create and use RCS messages in your environment you need

  • an RCS plugin to send out the messages. Contact your Zeta representative to get more information.
  • an RCS endpoint set up for your environment

 

Permissions

  • To create, edit, validate or save RCS messages in the Content editor you need access permissions to the RCS channel. This is set up in the Admin config tool.
  • To preview and test RCS messages, you need read-only permissions.
  • To publish or delete RCS messages, you need publish rights.
  • To use an RCS message in a journey, you need access rights for RCS content.

 

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