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What is the STOP keyword and how does it work in Canada?

The STOP keyword is a reply word that tells a business sender to stop texting your phone. Once someone replies STOP, texts from that sender end until the person opts back in. HELP is its partner keyword and sends back contact details.

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Glossary

STOP keyword

In plain English, with what it means for alert texts.

Illustration of STOP keyword.

How STOP works for staff alerts

Staff can reply STOP at any time, and HELP for help. Nobody has to call the office or fill in a form to get off the list.

Every Welco text ends with the opt-out line, so the choice is always in view. STOP and HELP replies are handled by Welco and not passed on to your inbox.

In Canada, programs on short codes must answer STOP, ARRET, HELP, AIDE and INFO, under the guidelines of CWTA, the carriers' short-code body. Welco doesn't send from short codes, and today it answers the English keywords listed below. French-speaking staff opt out by replying STOP.

What happens after an on-call tech replies STOP

STOP covers every text from that sender, not only the alert that annoyed someone. This is one tech's morning.

  1. A generator alarm arrives

    Welco: [Gen 2] Generator RUNNING on hydro loss at 5:31 AM. Reply STOP to opt out.

  2. The tech replies STOP to quiet the phone

    STOP

  3. Welco confirms the opt-out

    Welco: You're unsubscribed and will get no more texts from Welco. Reply START to rejoin.

  4. A transfer switch alarm is not texted to that phone

    The delivery report names the STOP reply as the reason.

  5. The tech rejoins before the next shift

    START

Delivery reports show texts that did not go out, which makes a silent phone easier to spot.

How to keep staff from replying STOP

People reach for STOP when alerts feel like noise, as in an alarm flood. Send each person only the alarms they own, and cap bursts with alarm flood control.

Tell new staff what STOP and START do during the opt-in process, before their first alert.

STOP keyword vs blocked words

STOP is a word staff send to Welco. A blocked word is one Welco won't send out, such as marketing or phishing wording in an outgoing text.

The stop words page lists both, along with the other opt-out words. Related consent terms sit in the alert texting glossary.

Frequently asked questions

Which reply words count as STOP?

STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT, REVOKE and OPTOUT all stop every Welco text to that phone. Capital letters don't matter. The French word ARRET is not handled today, so tell bilingual crews to use STOP.

How does someone start getting alerts again after STOP?

They reply START or UNSTOP from the same phone. Welco confirms they are subscribed again, and the next alarm reaches them as normal.

Can a manager undo a STOP for a staff member in Canada?

No. Only the person holding the phone can opt back in, by texting START. That keeps the choice with them, which carriers require.

Does a STOP reply use message credits?

Yes. Every text in either direction uses credits, including STOP, HELP and START replies and Welco's answer to each. The amounts are small, but they show up in your usage.

Send alarms people won't want to switch off

Route each alert to the right phone and keep bursts under control.

Start free trialBook a demo

7-day free trial, 15 message creditsCard required for verificationNo charge for 7 daysEmail reminder before billing