Knowledge Base
What is a Smartlink?
What Is a SmartLink?
How to Deploy TextingOnly’s
Click-to-Text Technology
SmartLinks are the core entry point technology in TextingOnly — a single URL that detects the visitor’s device and opens native SMS on mobile or displays a QR bridge on desktop. Every lead capture, coupon funnel, and OTTO qualification flow starts with one.
A SmartLink is a device-aware URL that routes mobile visitors directly into their native SMS app with a pre-filled message, and shows desktop visitors a QR code to scan with their phone. It’s the bridge between every digital and physical surface and the OTTO-powered SMS conversation that happens next.
What Is a SmartLink?
When a user taps a SmartLink on their phone, their Messages app opens with a pre-filled text ready to send — no typing required, no number to remember. The moment they hit Send, their phone number is captured carrier-verified, TCPA consent is logged, and OTTO begins the configured conversation automatically.
SmartLinks are the foundation of TextingOnly’s Land → Engage → Convert framework. Every entry point — website buttons, social bios, email CTAs, QR codes, digital ads — uses a SmartLink URL under the hood.
A SmartLink is not a landing page link. It’s a direct bridge to the native SMS app. The user never fills out a form — they tap Send in their Messages app, and the conversation begins.
How It Works — Step by Step
Where to Deploy SmartLinks
Paste the SmartLink URL into any button or hyperlink on your website. On mobile it opens SMS directly. On desktop it triggers the QR bridge. No plugin required — works on any website builder.
Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook — paste the SmartLink into your bio link slot. Followers who tap convert to owned SMS contacts with full platform attribution.
Add a SmartLink CTA button to any email. Subscribers who tap move from a 20% open rate channel to your SMS list — with the email campaign tagged as the source.
Use the SmartLink as the destination URL for paid social or search ads. Clicks convert directly to SMS opt-ins instead of landing page visits — with campaign-level attribution.
The “Text” button on a Google Business Profile can be connected to your TextingOnly number. High-intent local searchers text directly into OTTO — no link required.
For coupon delivery or offer opt-ins, a SmartLink powers the interstitial page CTA — one tap delivers the coupon via MMS and adds the contact to your list.
The Desktop QR Bridge
When a desktop user clicks a SmartLink, TextingOnly automatically displays a QR code — they scan it with their phone, which opens the pre-filled SMS message. No dead ends. The contact record captures both the desktop session and the mobile device, with the original campaign source preserved.
40%+ of website traffic is still desktop. Most “Text Us” implementations break on desktop — TextingOnly’s QR bridge ensures every visitor has a path into the SMS conversation regardless of device.
SmartLink Attribution
Each SmartLink deployment gets a unique source tag. When a contact opts in, their record shows exactly which SmartLink they came from — Instagram bio, email campaign, specific ad creative, or website button. You can run SmartLinks across multiple channels simultaneously and see per-source performance in your TextingOnly reports.
SmartLinks can also be configured with UTM parameters that pass campaign data into Google Analytics 4, connecting SMS conversion events to your existing web analytics without separate tracking infrastructure.
Creating a SmartLink in TextingOnly
A SmartLink is only active when the collector it belongs to has an assigned SMS Campaign number with an active 10DLC registration. Without a number assigned, inbound texts will not be received.
Tap the live demo to see the full SmartLink → SMS → OTTO flow in your own Messages app. Under 60 seconds, no form required.