How to fill out the RCS activation form in Blip

1. Introduction

2. Before starting

3. Step-by-step to fill out the form

4. Opt-in Collection Procedure

5. Next Steps

Introduction

RCS (Rich Communication Services) represents the evolution of traditional SMS, enabling business communication through the Google Messages app (standard on Android and available on selected carriers on iOS). In the corporate environment, this channel is called RBM (RCS Business Messaging).

Unlike SMS, RCS offers advanced features such as official brand identification, sending rich media (images, banners, carousels), interactive buttons, and detailed delivery and read metrics in a Google-verified environment.

SMS X RCS

Before starting

To proceed with the activation of the RCS channel, it is mandatory that your company has:

• Privacy Policy: Published and active on the official website.

• Terms of Use: Published and accessible on the official website.

• Opt-out Flow: The smart contact must provide a clear exit option for the user (e.g., "Type EXIT").

   

Step-by-step to fill out the form

The RCS activation process has the following stages:

Filling out this form is the initial stage for creating your agent. Follow the detailed guidelines for each section below:

1. Identification and Responsible Parties 

In these sections, we define who will operate the activation process.

• Requester's email: You must provide a valid corporate email address. Avoid personal emails to prevent delays in the process.

• Parties responsible for activation: List the first name, last name, and corporate email of the people who will follow the project, approve materials, and make decisions regarding the channel.

  • Example: Maria Silva (Marketing Manager) – maria@empresa.com.br.

2. Billing Category 

The billing model is defined by Google based on the interaction:

Differences between Message Types

• Basic Message: Exclusively textual content with up to 160 characters. Allows the inclusion of URLs, as long as the total limit is not exceeded.

• Single Message: Text messages that exceed 160 characters or that use advanced features, such as images, carousels, buttons, and attachments.

Which one to choose?

• If the user will respond → Conversational

• If it is an informative broadcast → Non-conversational

If your strategy involves both conversational and informative campaigns, the technical recommendation is to create two distinct agents in separate bots. This allows you to segment the billing for each one and avoids unexpected costs.

• Important: If you opt for the hybrid scenario, inform your onboarding analyst during the activation process. In case of doubts, consult our specialized team before confirming the configuration.

3. Entry Points and Use Cases 

Define how the customer will find your brand (exclusive to the Conversational category):

• Direct Link: URL for use on websites, emails, apps, or QR Codes.

• Google Organic Search: Display of a message button directly in Google search results.

It is possible to select both options. Below is an example of how the message button is displayed in organic search:

Use Case Categories: 

Select an option:

• OTP: Verification codes and logins.

• Transactional: Order status, purchase confirmation, or banking alerts.

• Promotional: Marketing campaigns, offers, and launches.

4. Technical and Visual Settings

• Chatbot ID: Locate it under Settings > Bot Information in the Blip platform. Ensure the flow is compatible with RCS interface elements.

• Agent Name: Use the official brand name. Avoid emojis, slogans, or promotional phrases (e.g., "ABC Store Official").

• Description: A brief summary of the services offered on the channel.

• Brand Color: Provide the hexadecimal code for the buttons (example: #1967D2). Google restricts the choice to a specific palette.

• Visual Assets (Public URLs):

  • Banner: 1440 x 448 px (up to 10MB).

  • Logo: 224 x 224 px (up to 10MB).

  • Note: You can use the Blip File Uploader extension to generate these URLs.

5. Contacts and Legal 

Provide the official data that will appear in the brand profile:

• Contact Phone: Format +55 (DDD) Number.

• Website and Email: These must be the company's official customer service channels.

• Policies and Terms (Mandatory): These must be hosted on the website, be public (no login required), and the URLs must be active. Do not send internal PDFs.

6. Approval and Testing

Once creation is complete, the agent will go through an approval phase. During this stage, you will be able to validate the message flow and make final adjustments to the profile (such as photo and description) before definitive activation;

Provide phone numbers for testing in the format +DDI + DDD + number (9 digits).

• Requirements for testing: Device with Android or iOS (currently only Vivo and TIM carriers support RCS on iOS), active Google Messages app, and RCS enabled in the device settings.

Opt-in Collection Procedure 

Describe the method used to obtain user authorization for receiving messages. This consent can occur in various ways, such as:

• Portal/Website: Direct registration on landing pages or logged-in areas.

• Acceptance Checkbox: Explicit consent in contact or checkout forms.

• Active Relationship: Customers with current commercial interactions.

• Contractual Clause: Authorization formalized in a service provision contract.

Important: The opt-in process must be transparent to the user and properly documented by the company.

Next Steps 

After submitting this form, our onboarding team will analyze the data and will contact you shortly to continue the process.

Have you come this far and still have questions? Get in touch with your account manager, explore our content at Blip Academy, Blip Community, or watch tutorials on our YouTube channel. 😃