Sms messages often appear unannounced on our smartphones. Google wants to put an end to this with a new option in its Messages app. A quick solution to block overly pushy companies has just been launched.
Many businesses contact their customers via message to provide useful information, such as delivery times or appointment reminders. These are often expected and welcome. But in some cases, these exchanges become invasive. Brands then use this channel to regularly send promotions, limited offers, or other unsolicited content. They then accumulate in conversations, eventually interfering with the reading of truly important exchanges.
To address this problem, Google has begun rolling out a new option in its Messages app. With this feature, it becomes possible to unsubscribe with a simple gesture from communications sent by companies. This mainly concerns RCS messages, a more advanced version of SMS. This button is reminiscent of another new feature recently integrated into Gmail, which groups all subscriptions into a single menu on Android, with the option to unsubscribe with one click.
Google allows you to unsubscribe from RCS and promotional SMS messages via a simple button
The feature appears prominently in conversations. When a message is sent by a company, an “Unsubscribe” button automatically appears above the input field. The user can also access it by opening the conversation menu. Tapping it brings up a window offering several reasons to unsubscribe: too many messages, disinterest, spam, or other. If the “spam” option is chosen, the number is blocked, and the conversation goes to the junk mail section.
The system works by automatically sending the word “STOP” to the company in question. This message is recognized as a standard command, used to request the stopping of promotional SMS messages. Once sent, the company is expected to stop all non-essential communications, such as offers or promotions.
Important messages, such as verification codes or booking confirmations, can continue to be received if the user has requested them. Promotional exchanges can still be reactivated by accessing the chat menu. The feature is available in eight countries, including France, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It works with RCS, but also with certain SMS and MMS messages sent via short codes.
0 Comments