What is A2P Messaging?
A2P (Application-to-Person) Messaging refers to text messages sent from a business software platform to individual consumers — as opposed to person-to-person texts between individuals.
What is A2P Messaging?
A2P (Application-to-Person) Messaging is the category of text messaging where messages originate from a software application or business platform and are delivered to individual consumers. This includes marketing promotions, order confirmations, appointment reminders, two-factor authentication codes, and text-to-buy product messages.
A2P is distinguished from P2P (Person-to-Person) messaging, which is standard texting between two individuals. Carriers treat these differently — A2P messages are subject to registration requirements (10DLC), throughput limits, and content filtering that don't apply to P2P messages.
Virtually all business SMS falls under A2P: promotional campaigns, transactional notifications, conversational commerce, and automated flows. Understanding A2P as a category helps businesses navigate the registration, compliance, and deliverability requirements specific to commercial messaging.
How does A2P Messaging work?
A2P messages are sent through an SMS platform or API that connects to carrier networks. The business composes a message (or an automation triggers one), the platform routes it through carrier infrastructure, and it's delivered to the recipient's phone.
A2P messages can be sent through several number types: short codes (5–6 digits), toll-free numbers (1-800 style), or 10DLC (standard 10-digit numbers). Each type has different throughput, cost, and registration requirements. In the US, 10DLC is the most common for business SMS.
Carriers use content filtering to monitor A2P messages for spam, compliance violations, and quality issues. Registered senders with good reputations get better deliverability and throughput. Unregistered or poorly-behaving senders face filtering, rate limiting, and potential blocking.
Why does A2P Messaging matter for DTC brands?
Understanding A2P messaging is essential because it determines the rules your SMS program must follow. A2P messages must comply with carrier registration requirements (10DLC), TCPA consent rules, content guidelines, and throughput limits. Treating business SMS like personal texting will result in filtered messages and compliance issues.
For SMS commerce, the A2P framework provides important infrastructure: registered sender identity, reliable delivery, high throughput for time-sensitive drops, and compliance guardrails. These aren't limitations — they're the foundation of a trustworthy messaging channel.
As the A2P ecosystem matures (with 10DLC registration, RCS Business Messaging, and carrier-verified sender profiles), brands that invest in proper A2P setup gain a deliverability advantage over those cutting corners.
Key points
Business to consumer
A2P covers all text messages sent from a business application to individual consumers — marketing, transactional, and commerce.
Registration required
A2P messages require carrier registration (10DLC in the US). Unregistered senders face filtering and deliverability issues.
Content monitoring
Carriers actively filter A2P content for spam and compliance. Proper registration and quality content ensure reliable delivery.
See A2P Messaging in action with AudienceTap
AudienceTap is the text-to-buy platform that powers a2p messaging for DTC brands.
Related terms
10DLC Registration
10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) registration is the carrier-mandated process for businesses to register their brand and SMS campaigns before sending A2P messages through standard 10-digit phone numbers.
RCS for Business
RCS for Business (RCS Business Messaging or RBM) is the application-to-person (A2P) version of RCS that lets brands send verified, branded, interactive messages to customers through their default messaging app.
SMS Deliverability
SMS Deliverability is the rate at which sent text messages successfully reach recipients' devices, affected by carrier filtering, number reputation, content quality, and compliance standing.
A2P Messaging FAQ
A2P (Application-to-Person) messages are sent from a business platform to consumers. P2P (Person-to-Person) messages are between two individuals. Carriers apply different rules, throughput limits, and filtering to each.
Yes. Any text message sent from a business application — whether marketing, transactional, or conversational commerce — is classified as A2P by carriers and must follow A2P rules and registration requirements.
A2P messages are high-volume and automated, which makes them a vector for spam. Carrier rules (registration, filtering, throughput limits) protect consumers from unwanted messages while enabling legitimate businesses to reach their customers.
Ready to see if AudienceTap is right for you?
Try a live demo on your phone
Enter your number to experience a Text-to-Buy flow firsthand.
Speak to an expert
Get a free 1-on-1 consultation with personalized setup recommendations for your brand.
