The FCC's new texting and robocall opt-out rule (FCC 26-67) was published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2026, and takes effect November 25, 2026. Starting then, businesses can designate one official opt-out method, and a STOP reply to an appointment reminder can be treated separately from a STOP to a promo.

Our last issue covered the FCC's new opt-out rules while they still had no start date. Now they do, and it's close.

Quick recap: what the FCC changed

Back in October, we covered the FCC's Report and Order, FCC 26-67, which lets a business designate a single official opt-out method, such as replying STOP, as long as it's clearly disclosed in every call or text. The order also splits opt-outs by category: a STOP on an informational message, like an appointment reminder, can be scoped to stop just that category, while a STOP on a marketing message still revokes all future marketing texts.

The date is set: November 25, 2026

The rule ran in the Federal Register on October 26, 2026, at 91 FR 67214, which sets the effective date at November 25, 2026, 30 days later. The FCC adopted the order on September 30 and released it October 1; the Federal Register publication is what finally locks in the start date. A companion proposal published the same day, with comments due November 25 and replies due December 28, 2026, so this area isn't done moving.

Until November 25, the current rules apply. That means honoring an opt-out however a customer sends it, not just through whatever method you'd prefer to designate once the new rule is live.

Reminders vs. promos: why the split matters now

This is the part that actually changes your exposure. If your texting platform fires a reminder and a promo as the same type of message, or your team's texts blend the two, you lose the benefit of the new split entirely. A customer who wanted off your discount list could end up opted out of appointment reminders too, and you won't find out until a no-show costs you a job.

Getting this right before the holiday promo season isn't a weekend project. It touches how your CRM categorizes messages, what disclosure language sits in each template, and whether your platform can actually tell an informational text from a marketing one. That's a setup question for whoever runs your texting program, not a toggle you flip yourself.

What to get checked before November 25

Have every automated text in your system reviewed for a clear opt-out line, and confirm reminders and promos are genuinely separated at the platform level, not just by habit. This isn't legal advice, and you should run your specific setup by your attorney. If you want someone to look at the marketing side of your texting setup alongside that, get your free Growth Audit and we'll flag where it's exposed.

Texting usually runs through whatever CRM or automation platform handles your scheduling and follow-up, which is exactly where this split needs to be built in correctly the first time.

Matt's take

Every home service shop we talk to sends more automated texts than they realize once you count reminders, dispatch alerts, and review requests on top of promos. The shops that get burned by rules like this aren't the ones texting too much. They're the ones mixing message types so one customer's complaint wipes out their whole list.

This FCC deadline is a good forcing function. Separating "we need you to know this" texts from "we want to sell you something" texts is overdue regardless of what the FCC requires, and November 25 is as good a reason as any to finally get it done right.

FAQ

When do the new FCC texting opt-out rules take effect?
November 25, 2026. The FCC's order, FCC 26-67, was published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2026, which starts the 30-day clock to that effective date.
Do I still have to honor "cancel" or "please stop texting me"?
Yes. You can designate one official, clearly disclosed opt-out method, such as replying STOP. But you still have to honor the FCC's recognized opt-out words however a customer sends them, including stop, quit, end, revoke, opt out, cancel, and unsubscribe.
What's the difference between an informational and a marketing text opt-out?
Under the new rule, a STOP reply to an informational message, like an appointment reminder, can be scoped to stop just that category. A STOP reply to a marketing or promotional message still revokes consent for all future marketing texts from you.
How long do I have to process an opt-out request?
Ten business days. That requirement is unchanged under the new order.

Sources

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