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Markets & Limits

This article explains how Markets (Area Codes) and Messaging Limits work, what’s included in your plan, how usage is calculated, and what’s changing as we move to industry-standard segment-based billing.

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Written by Tom
Updated today

Markets & Limits Overview

Markets and limits are designed to improve deliverability, flexibility, and predictability, while aligning with how carriers bill SMS traffic.

  • Markets control where your phone numbers come from

  • Limits control how much outbound batch messaging you can send

Inbox messages, inbound replies, outbound inbox messages, and drip/follow-up sequences do not count toward limits.

Markets (Area Codes)

What is a Market?

A Market is a bundle of phone numbers that all share the same area code.

How Markets Are Used

  • Phone numbers within a Market are rotated automatically when sending batch messages

  • Rotation improves deliverability and response rates

  • Best practice is to match the Market area code to the Prospect’s location for higher engagement

Why Markets Matter

  • Better local presence

  • Reduced carrier filtering

  • Higher reply and conversion rates

How Many Markets Are Included?

The number of included Markets (area codes) increases as you move up plan tiers. You can also add extra Markets at any time for additional flexibility.

Markets Included by Plan Tier

Plan Tier

Included Markets

Extra Markets Available

Extra Market Price

LITE

2

Yes

$15/Market/month

CORE

4

Yes

$15/Market/month

PRO

5

Yes

$15/Market/month

PRO+

6

Yes

$15/Market/month

ENTERPRISE

6-7 (Varies by agreement)

Yes

$15/Market/month

Each Market includes multiple phone numbers. Adding a Market increases area code flexibility, not messaging volume. To increase the volume you’ll need to upgrade your subscription plan.

Limits Explained

What Counts Toward Limits?

  • Only outbound batch messages count toward limits

  • Inbox messages (inbound + outbound), follow-ups, and drips do not count against the texting limits

Segments vs Messages

Industry Standard Segment Counting

We are moving to industry-standard segment-based counting:

  • Up to 160 characters = 1 segment

  • 161–320 characters = 2 segments

  • Messages longer than 320 characters continue to add segments

Carriers bill per segment, not per message — this change aligns limits with actual network costs.

Why Segments Matter

  • Each segment is deducted from your daily limit

  • A single message may count as multiple segments if it exceeds 160 characters

You can check out this article to learn more about segments.

Daily & Monthly Limits

Limits are based on segments, not messages, and vary by plan tier.

Segment Limits by Plan Tier

Plan Tier

Daily Segment Limit

Monthly Segment Limit

LITE

750

12,500

CORE

1,500

25,000

PRO

3,000

60,000

Extra Volume Options

Legacy Plans

  • No extra volume add-ons available

  • Limits are fixed

New Plans

  • Add-on segment blocks available:

    • Daily: 300 / 600 / 900 segments

    • Monthly: 1,000 / 3,000 / 5,000 segments

  • Add-ons are best used as temporary boosts

  • Upgrading your plan is more cost-effective for long-term growth

Limit boost functionality is coming soon for new plans.

Usage Allocation by Plan Type

LITE

CORE

PRO

PRO PLUS

ENTERPRISE

Subscription

$497 / mo

$797 / mo

$1497 / mo

$2297 / mo

Contact Us

Daily SMS (segment) Limit

750

1500

3000

4500

6000 - 12000

Monthly SMS (segment) Limit

12500

25000

60000

90000

150000 - 300000

Markets Included

1

2

3

4

5 - 7

Markets Available

7

7

7

7

7

Users Included

1

1

2

3

Unlimited

Users Available

1

2

5

5

Unlimited

Skip Trace

$0.13

$0.12

$0.10

$0.10

$0.10

Voice Calls

$50 / qtr

$50 / qtr

$50 / qtr

$50 / qtr

$50 / qtr

Voice Calls - 300 min Top-up

$5

$3

$2

$2

$2

Provider Fees

$22

$55

$85

$135

$185



Legacy Plans

  • Limits are divided equally across all available Markets

New Plans

  • Limits are fully flexible

  • You decide how to allocate usage across Markets

  • No forced equal distribution

This enables you to prioritize high-performing area codes without opening multiple accounts.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. This seems more expensive. Why the change?

If your templates stay under 160 characters, you actually get more messages for the same price.


2. Can we stay on the old system?

The old system doesn’t align with how carriers bill. Segment billing reflects real network costs and prevents unexpected message splitting. Carriers are standardizing this industry-wide.


3. What if merge fields push us over 160 characters?

Segments give predictable outcomes. If a merge field creates a second segment, it’s counted accurately. Our copywriting team can optimize your templates free of charge to help you stay within 160 characters.


4. Are our limits going to be too low?

Limits are calibrated to existing usage. Most customers don’t fully use their current allocation. Segments offer more accurate and flexible measurement, not penalties.


5. What if we don’t want to upgrade?

You can purchase add-on segment blocks as a temporary solution. They are more expensive than upgrading, and a TME can help align your plan with your actual business needs.


6. Why are provider fees increasing?

Provider fees reflect carrier costs. In return, you gain:

  • $15 additional area codes

  • Free inbound, outbound inbox messaging, and drips

  • Free website builder (others charge $49)

  • Upcoming AI template builder at no cost


7. We don’t want to switch during the holidays.

You can switch anytime between December 17th and January 5. Most customers switch early to test templates before Q1 campaigns.


8. We have multiple accounts and don’t want to consolidate.

Consolidation is optional. If you opened extra accounts just for more area codes, you can now do that under one account. If volume is the priority, we can help upgrade multiple accounts into a single higher-volume plan.


9. Why is this change necessary?

This update aligns with:

  • Carrier standards industry-wide

  • Cost of doing business

It also enables multiple area codes across all plans, from LITE to ENT.


10. Do we need to learn a new workflow?

No. Your sending process stays the same. The backend handles segment calculations automatically. Shorter messages generally convert better, and free template reviews are available.

For questions or optimization help, reach out to your Text Marketing Expert or support team.

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