2025 Consumer Texting
Behavior Report
With an astounding 98% open rate, SMS marketing doesn't just lead the game—it owns it, driving instant
engagement and setting the standard for consumer communication.
Across Every Channel,
Today’s Consumers
Want You
to Text Them!
Consumers Embrace
Business Texts
of consumers now opt in for
texts from businesses—a 20%
increase since 2021!
Consumers Increasing Text
Engagement
of consumers say they send more
text messages to businesses—a
31% increase since 2023!
Consumer Openness to SMS
Marketing Has Surged
of customers subscribe to business
texts without purchase.
Text Messaging Drives
Purchase Likelihood
of customers are more likely to
purchase from a business if they are
subscribed–up 21% from 2024!
In just three years, sign-ups to receive texts from businesses have surged, and this growth highlights a clear shift: SMS is no longer just a trend—it’s a powerful tool for driving deeper customer engagement and loyalty.
Customers are signing up to receive text messages from businesses and organizations like never before
SMS isn’t just a conversation, it’s a multifunctional engagement tool
SMS marketing is a mainstream channel, and almost all consumers have a mobile phone with a native SMS app—so it’s time to leverage its widespread adoption for improved reach, engagement, and action.
Discounts Drive Action
If you’re not offering deals via SMS,
you’re leaving money on the table.
Loyalty is Built Through Text
SMS isn’t just for quick sales—it’s an
essential channel for fostering long-term relationships.
Exclusivity Fuels Engagement
Creating urgency and exclusivity in
your SMS campaigns makes
customers feel like insiders.
Texting, powered by short codes and the rise of 10DLC,
gives you the ultimate toolkit to build strong, lasting connections.
Short Codes Drive
Preference
of consumers prefer the simplicity
and immediacy of short codes
QR Codes Boost
Sign-Ups
opt-ins via QR code makes texting
a powerful tool for on-the-go sign-ups
THE BIG QUESTION
Why are more and more consumers opting into text marketing?
At the Speed of SMS: How Fast Do Your
Customers Text Back?
A Quick Response Matters: Meeting
Customer Expectations
Customers Demand
Quick Responses
of customers expect a response
from a business within 15 minutes;
74% within an hour.s
Texts Spark Increased
Product Interest
of consumers have increased interest
in a product after getting a text—up
21% from 2024!
When Consumers Text: Reliable
Engagement Opportunities
From responding to promotional messages to seeking product information, we found texting dominates as a fast, effective, and preferred channel. Meanwhile, messages about refunds, returns, and shipping are declining as consumers gravitate toward proactive, promotional communication.
Here’s how brands can harness these trends to drive engagement and satisfaction:
Promotions Spark Replies
Product Questions Rise
Feedback Surges
Engagement Tips
By capitalizing on SMS as a channel for promotions and customer interaction, businesses can deepen relationships, improve experiences, and position themselves as responsive and customer-centric.
Consumers Depend on Texting More
Our survey revealed significant increases in consumer engagement with SMS in receiving and sending messages.
70%
62%
49%
63%
The demand for personalized, two-way communication is booming, and these trends show a clear shift: consumers are not just accepting SMS—they’re engaging with it.
This is a golden opportunity for brands to build stronger, more responsive relationships by meeting customers where they want to engage—on their terms, through SMS.
Conclusion
Consumer Adoption of SMS is Skyrocketing!
The 2025 Consumer Texting Behavior Report shows consumers aren’t just embracing SMS—they’re demanding it. With 86% opting into text marketing, businesses not using SMS for engagement, promotions, and customer service are missing a huge opportunity.
Consumer engagement via SMS is soaring, with more texts received, faster responses, and improved conversions.
To stay competitive, businesses must respond quickly and personally to meet rising expectations.
Speed, relevance, and immediacy are now the standard. Texting isn’t just a tool—it’s vital to the customer experience.
Is your business ready to respond?
Methodology
The 2025 Consumer Texting Behavior Report was conducted by EZ Texting to explore consumer attitudes, behaviors, and preferences regarding SMS communication. The survey was administered in November 2024 via an independent online market research panel with 1,074 qualified participants.
Respondents were selected based on their location and personal ownership of a mobile phone.
The survey was designed to capture the latest trends in consumer texting habits, focusing on SMS opt-ins, engagement levels, and responsiveness to business communications.
