--- title: Shared vs. Dedicated Short Codes 101 description: Short codes come in two varieties, shared and dedicated. Check out the description of both to see which one is best for you. image: https://blog.trumpia.com/hubfs/BlogImages/42402026_l.jpg --- Call or Text\* 1-888-707-3030 - Hours - 6 AM - 6 PM Pacific (Weekdays) 8 AM - 4 PM Pacific (Weekends) - [Login](https://www.trumpia.com/login) [![Trum·pia Blog](https://blog.trumpia.com/hs-fs/hubfs/trumpia_bloglogo%20(2).png?width=143&name=trumpia_bloglogo%20(2).png "Trum·pia Blog")](https://blog.trumpia.com/) - [Home](https://www.trumpia.com/) - [Products](https://www.trumpia.com/product/core-features) - [API](https://www.trumpia.com/api/overview) - [Solutions](https://www.trumpia.com/solutions/use-cases) - [Pricing](https://www.trumpia.com/pricing-plans) - [Professional Services](https://www.trumpia.com/professional-services/onboarding-and-training) - [Resources](https://www.trumpia.com/resources) [Contact Us](https://www.trumpia.com/contact-us) - [Home](https://www.trumpia.com/) - [Products](https://www.trumpia.com/product/core-features) - [API](https://www.trumpia.com/api/overview) - [Solutions](https://www.trumpia.com/solutions/use-cases) - [Pricing](https://www.trumpia.com/pricing-plans) - [Professional Services](https://www.trumpia.com/professional-services/onboarding-and-training) - [Resources](https://www.trumpia.com/resources) - [Contact Us](https://www.trumpia.com/contact-us) - [Free Trial](https://www.trumpia.com/free-trial) - Call or Text\* - 1-888-707-3030 - 6 AM - 6 PM Pacific (Weekdays) 8 AM - 4 PM Pacific (Weekend) # Trum·pia Blog ### A Journey to Intelligent Messaging Get the Latest News & Updates # Shared vs. Dedicated Short Codes 101 Posted by [Trumpia](https://blog.trumpia.com/author/trumpia) on Dec 19, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Shared Versus Dedicated Short Codes](https://blog.trumpia.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BlogImages/42402026_l.jpg?width=515&name=42402026_l.jpg "Shared Versus Dedicated Short Codes") Text messaging software often operates on [short codes](https://trumpia.com/short-code.php), which are 5- or 6-digit phone numbers that send and receive [SMS](https://trumpia.com/mass-text-messaging.php)and [MMS](https://trumpia.com/mms-picture-messaging.php)via mobile phones. Short codes are easier to remember, have higher throughput speeds, and can communicate with a massive number of people at the same time.   Short codes come in two varieties, shared and dedicated. Which one is right for you? Here is a brief description of both, as well as a comparison to help you decide.   **Shared Short Codes** The first type of SMS short code is called a shared short code, which means it’s used amongst many different users and randomly generated.   Shared short codes also limit what keywords a user can create. In other words, if you wanted to create the keyword “SALE”, but it is already being used by another user that is on the same shared short code, they would not be able to use that keyword. Another downside of being on a shared short code is that you are not allowed to run sweepstakes or text-to-win campaigns.   **Dedicated Short Codes** The second type of SMS short code is called a dedicated short code, which can only be used by a single user. The digits of a dedicated short code is also specifically chosen by the user like a vanity license plate. There are many benefits to a dedicated short code such as: - **Brand Recognition:** A dedicated short code is just as powerful as a website address or social media handles for building brand awareness. For example, you can pick a number that spells out your business’s name. - **SMS Keyword Exclusivity:** With a dedicated short code, brands are free to use almost any imaginable [SMS mobile keyword](https://trumpia.com/mobile-keywords.php), allowing for maximum creativity, and functionality. When shared short codes are used, however, a business can only use keywords that are not already in use by others. - **Activity Control:** Dedicated short codes allow brands to control the entire consumer experience from end-to-end, ensuring the [customer’s messaging experience](https://trumpia.com/customer-service.php) is consistent with their expectations. - **Security:** Dedicated short codes provide organizations in the [financial services](https://trumpia.com/financial-services-sms-marketing.php), [healthcare](https://trumpia.com/health-care-text-messaging.php) and [government](https://trumpia.com/government.php) sectors a higher level of security and maximum control. - **Expanded Functionality:** With a dedicated short code, your brand can run certain types of [text messaging campaigns](https://trumpia.com/marketing-automation.php?target=auto_campaign) that would not be possible on a shared short code such as text-to-win campaigns. \*\*Please note that sweepstakes and text-to-win campaigns may be subject to federal and/or state regulation. It is up to you to check with local and federal laws to make sure you are in compliance with these regulations.   For more information on other mobile marketing strategies, download the complimentary [Mobile Marketing Success Kit](https://info.trumpia.com/mobile-marketing-success-kit). ## [Download the Mobile Marketing Success Kit](https://info.trumpia.com/mobile-marketing-success-kit) ### Get Your Copy Today    [![New Call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2803674/8786c2aa-b804-4206-87be-8a1cfe782eed.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2803674/8786c2aa-b804-4206-87be-8a1cfe782eed) Topics: [SMS Messaging](https://blog.trumpia.com/topic/sms-messaging) ### Talk to a Trum·pia Expert Today! ### Most Popular ### Categories ### Follow Us - - - ### Check Out Our 5 Minute Demo [Watch It Now](https://www.trumpia.com/resources/video-library) ![Trum·pia](https://blog.trumpia.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Trumpia%20Logo%202025%20PNG.png?width=140&height=32&name=Trumpia%20Logo%202025%20PNG.png "Trum·pia") | | Call or Text\* 1-888-707-3030 | | --- | --- | | | - Hours - 6 AM - 6 PM Pacific (Weekdays) 8 AM - 4 PM Pacific (Weekends) | | | [support@trumpia.com](mailto:support@trumpia.com) [sales@trumpia.com](mailto:sales@trumpia.com) | | | 2544 W. 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