What are Smart Rules in SMS campaigns?
Smart Rules let one SMS campaign send a different message and link to each group of shoppers. They work like Smart Rules in email campaigns, but each rule changes the whole text message instead of a block in an email.
Why you need them
- Without a rule, every shopper in an SMS campaign gets the same text and the same link.
- To give VIPs, repeat buyers or one country a different offer, you would need a separate campaign and schedule for each group.
- With Smart Rules, one campaign covers every group, with one schedule and one report.
How to set it up
Before you start
- SMS must be set up on your account. See How to get started with Instant AI SMS.
- You need a multi-step campaign with an SMS step. See How to send an SMS Campaign with Instant AI.
Add a Smart Rule to an SMS
- Go to Campaigns in your Instant AI dashboard
- Open the campaign, then open the SMS step
- Under the message, find Smart rules
- Click Add
- Choose a saved rule, such as VIP repeat buyers, or create a new rule
- Change the message and the link for this rule
- Click Save Changes
A new rule starts with a copy of your current message and link, so you only need to change what is different for that group.
To add more groups, click Add again. You can add up to 10 rules to one SMS, and you can use each rule only once in that SMS.
Manage your rules
Each rule has its own card with its own message and link. The Default card is the message for everyone who does not match a rule.
- To change the order of the rules, drag the cards.
- To open, close, change or delete a rule, use the controls on its card.
Note: Each message has its own character count, next to Add variable. The character limit applies to each rule’s message on its own. See Understanding SMS character limits.
Preview each message
When you edit the message of a rule, the phone preview shows that message. To see a different message, choose it from Preview.
How it works
Which message a shopper gets
- Instant checks the rules from the top card down.
- Each shopper gets the message and link of the first rule that they match.
- A shopper who matches more than one rule gets only the first one.
- Shoppers who match no rule get the Default message.
- Each shopper gets one SMS from the step, not one SMS for each rule they match.
Tip: Put your most specific rule at the top. For example, put VIP repeat buyers above a wider rule, such as one for all past buyers, or your VIPs get the wider message.
Deleted or archived rules
If a rule that you use in an SMS is deleted or archived, its card shows a warning. Choose a different rule for the card, or delete the card, before you schedule the campaign.
Where Smart Rules work
Smart Rules are available in SMS campaigns only. SMS messages in flows, including the SMS Welcome flow, do not have Smart Rules.
FAQ
Can I send a different link to each group? Yes. Each rule has its own message and its own link.
How many rules can I add to one SMS? Up to 10. You can use each rule only once in the same SMS.
What happens if a shopper matches two rules? They get the message of the rule that is higher in the list. Drag the cards to change the order.
What do shoppers who match no rule get? They get the Default message.
Can I use the same rules that I use in my email campaigns? Yes. You can choose any rule that you saved to Your Rules, or create a new one. For the filters you can use, see How to use Smart Rules in your campaigns.
Can I use Smart Rules in my SMS flows? No. Smart Rules work in SMS campaigns only. Flow SMS and the SMS Welcome flow send the same message to every shopper.
Will shoppers get more than one SMS? No. Each shopper gets one message from the SMS step, the first rule they match or the Default.
For more on SMS campaigns, see How to send an SMS Campaign with Instant AI.