About RCS for Business

RCS (Rich Communication Services) brings enhanced messaging capabilities directly to your business phone number. With RCS, your business messages feel more personal, visual, and interactive, helping you connect with customers in richer ways, including images, buttons, carousels, and other dynamic elements that drive engagement and action.

Written By Jill Berkowitz

Last updated 3 months ago

What can you do with RCS?

  • Send branded, interactive messages with logos, colors, and verified sender details

  • Include rich media like high quality images, GIFs, and videos

  • Add buttons for quick actions (e.g., “Book Now,” “Learn More,” or “Call”) like a call-to-action (CTA)

  • Display carousels with multiple offers or options

  • Enhanced privacy with end-to-end encryption where available

  • Access read receipts and typing indicators

  • Schedule appointments or events directly through the message using the Calendar option

  • Track message delivery, reads, and interactions through Analytics

  • Cross platform reach as RCS works on Android and iOS 18+

Where does RCS work?

RCS messaging is supported on Android devices that have RCS enabled (via Google Messages). When a recipient’s device or carrier doesn’t support RCS, your message automatically defaults to standard SMS or MMS. Apple devices must be running on at least iOS 18.

How does RCS and SMS differ?

Feature

RCS

SMS

Media Support

High-res images, carousels, video

Text-only (MMS optional)

Interactive Buttons

Yes

No

Read Receipts/Typing

Yes

No

Branded Sender ID

Verified + Logo

Not supported

Analytics

Delivery, reads, clicks

Basic delivery only

Encryption

(Partial support)

Not encrypted

Cross-Platform

Android & iOS 18+

All mobile devices

How RCS works in Clerk Chat

Clerk Chat manages the end-to-end RCS experience.

  1. Import Contacts: Upload your opted-in customer list directly into Clerk Chat.

  2. Build Your Message: Use our visual, drag-and-drop RCS template builder to design messages with text, images, carousels, videos, and interactive buttons.

  3. Consent Management: Clerk Chat ensures regulatory compliance with built-in double opt-in and consent verification.

  4. Google Brand Verification: We handle your RCS Business Messaging (RBM) registration, including verifying your brand, logo, and sender profile.

  5. Carrier Routing: Once verified, your message is delivered via supported mobile carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.).

  6. Seamless Delivery: Messages land directly in your customers’ default messaging apps — now including iPhones running iOS 18.

Getting started

  • Make sure RCS is enabled for your Clerk Chat number.

  • Once enabled, create RCS messages through:

    • Campaigns → to reach many recipients at once

    • 1:1 Messaging → to send a rich, individual message

  • Use the Template Builder to design rich messages with buttons, carousels, or calendar events.

  • Send immediately or schedule for later.

Analytics and performance

After sending an RCS message or campaign, you can track:

  • Delivery and read receipts

  • Button clicks and carousel interactions

  • Opt-outs and overall engagement rates

Visit Analytics → Campaigns or Analytics → Insights for deeper performance data.