Twilio, the customer engagement platform that drives real-time, personalized experiences for today’s leading brands, announced the global availability of Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging via its Programmable Messaging and Verify APIs.
RCS enhances traditional messaging by introducing branded sender identification in their default messages app, ensuring customers can immediately recognize and trust the source of their messages. With this update businesses will be able to send branded, verified messages that build trust and drive customer loyalty—all without the need for code changes.
Specifically, Twilio RCS provides:
- Branded Messaging: Twilio’s RCS offering automatically upgrades SMS messages to RCS on capable devices at no additional cost for basic messages up to 160 characters. Features include the incorporation of business logos, tagline, business name, trusted sender verification by Google, and read receipts. This ensures that customers always know who they are communicating with, enhancing trust and engagement—key factors in driving repeat purchases and first-time transactions.
- Rich Content and Interactive Features: RCS messaging allows businesses to create compelling and interactive experiences with call-to-action buttons, interactive carousels, location sharing, and quick reply options. These features empower users to take immediate actions within the message itself, driving higher engagement and conversion rates, while reinforcing brand authenticity.
- No Code Changes: One of the key advantages of RCS with Twilio is the ease of adoption. Businesses can configure their RCS brand and sender verification through the Twilio Console, allowing them to start sending trusted communications without any code changes. Twilio also manages registration and onboarding with carriers, capability checks, and provides tools to ensure messages are delivered over SMS when RCS is not available.
In today’s evolving landscape, it’s crucial for businesses to build and maintain trust with consumers, especially as they get inundated with notifications and texts. According to a 2024 Twilio consumer preferences survey 75% of consumers who received a branded text said it increased their trust in the message, with nearly half (49%) stating they would trust brands more if a logo or check mark was present. This trust translates into action: 4 in 10 consumers made a repeat purchase, and 1 in 4 made a purchase for the first time when brands used trusted communication channels. RCS is a key part of Twilio’s broader offering that enables trusted, branded communications across all channels, including branded caller ID and support for Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) for email. Twilio’s suite of APIs empowers businesses to create trusted, engaging communications that stand out in a crowded market and can drive ROI.
“At Twilio, we believe building engagement with your customers should be as seamless and trusted as possible,” said Inbal Shani, Chief Product Officer of Twilio Communications. “RCS makes this a reality by delivering richer interactions, improved deliverability, and most critically, building trust in your brand, without changing a single line of code.”
For businesses looking for a more dynamic and interactive communication channel, RCS offers a secure, trusted, and enhanced alternative to SMS and MMS. While SMS remains a vital tool for many use cases, RCS provides a standardized, feature-rich platform that bridges the gap between traditional messaging and the interactive experiences offered by over-the-top (OTT) channels like WhatsApp. Branded communications ensure that businesses can deliver seamless, engaging experiences that resonate with customers and build lasting trust.
“According to a recent study by Futurum Research, businesses using RCS have experienced a 32% increase in customer engagement and conversion rates compared to traditional SMS. Twilio’s latest announcement makes sense focusing on RCS solutions to help drive value for their customers,“ states Paul Nashawaty, Practice Lead, Application Development and Modernization at Futurum. “This is likely due to RCS’s ability to deliver richer, more interactive content, such as images, videos, and buttons, which can enhance the customer experience and drive higher ROI.”
Availability
Twilio’s RCS messaging is available in public beta globally to all businesses in Programmable Messaging and generally available in Verify.
Previously, the adoption of RCS was limited by its availability only on Android devices. However, with Apple’s recent announcement that RCS will be supported on iPhones starting this month, the stage is set for widespread adoption of this technology.
