BrightMove's SMS provider automatically honors opt-out requests at the carrier level. This means that once someone opts out, no further texts can reach them through Engage SMS until they opt back in. This is handled by our SMS provider directly and applies regardless of who tries to text them.
How to Opt Out
Applicants can opt out of SMS at any time by replying STOP to any text message. Once this happens:
Our SMS provider blocks all future messages to that phone number automatically. No recruiter action can override this. It's enforced at the provider level for compliance. (Note: a recruiter can manually flip the SMS toggle back on, but this does not lift the block — messages still won't send until the candidate opts back in.)
The person receives an automatic confirmation message letting them know they've been unsubscribed, and that they can reply START at any time to opt back in.
If they were in an open conversation, that conversation closes automatically. A note is logged on the Activity tab in both Engage and the ATS stating that the candidate opted out.
If they weren't in an open conversation when they opted out, the opt-out is still logged on the Activity tab, it just won't be attached to any specific chat.
The SMS toggle on the candidate's profile switches off.
The candidate will show as SMS disabled when searching in Power Search.
How to Opt Back In
If someone changes their mind, they can reply START to the same number to re-enable SMS. Once this happens:
Our SMS provider lifts the block, and messages can be sent to that number again.
The conversation reopens with the last user the candidate was engaged with, that conversation picks back up with "START" as the message.
A prior message badge appears, which can be clicked to view the previous (closed) conversation history.
What Recruiters See in the ATS
Activity tab: a logged note whenever a candidate opts out, whether or not it's tied to a specific conversation.
Candidate profile: the SMS toggle reflects current opt-in/opt-out status.
Power Search: opted-out candidates appear as disabled.
Prior message badge: lets recruiters jump back into conversation history once a candidate re-opts in.
Note: A recruiter can manually toggle SMS back on for a candidate who has opted out, but this does not override the carrier-level block. When a message is sent to that candidate, it will not go through. The block is enforced by BrightMove's SMS provider, not by BrightMove. If texts stop going through for a candidate and it's unclear why, check the Activity tab first to confirm whether the recipient has an opt-out logged.