In SMS marketing, timing is everything, not just for engagement, but for compliance. Federal regulations like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) prohibit sending marketing texts between 9 PM and 8 AM local time, and several states have additional restrictions. Violating these rules can result in fines and damage to brand reputation.

That’s why Listrak’s Quiet Hours feature is so valuable. It allows marketers to configure alerts and rules that are intended to prevent messages from being sent during restricted hours. For example, if broadcast quiet hours are configured from 8PM to 12PM (the recommended window) and time zone optimization is enabled, should a message be scheduled to send during that window in a subscriber’s time zone, based on their area code, a warning message will notify the scheduler. This gives marketers a chance to reschedule or adjust the send time before sending the message.

Quiet Hours settings within the platform are customizable, allowing brands to define a sending window for their broadcast messages and journey’s. The broadcast Quiet Hours feature designates the allowable send window for all your broadcast messages. While Journey Hub window for quiet hours is set for each individual Journey. Listrak also provides dynamic recommendations, suggesting alternative send times if a message is scheduled outside of compliant hours. These built-in safeguards help ensure campaigns remain both respectful and compliant.

Beyond compliance, Quiet Hours are a strategic advantage. Messages sent during peak engagement windows, typically between 11 AM and 5 PM, consistently outperform those sent later in the evening or early morning. Respecting your audience’s time not only protects your brand but also improves performance.

New Texas Law: What You Need to Know

As of September 1, 2025, Texas Senate Bill 140 (SB 140) expanded the definition of "telephone solicitations" to include text messaging and graphic messages intended to promote a product or service.  This means that some marketing texts may now fall under Texas's unsolicited message quiet hours restrictions.

Key things to know:

• Quiet hours for unsolicited messages are between 9pm and 9am local time Monday-Saturday and not before 12pm or after 8pm on Sundays and holidays
• Some brands may also be required to register with the state attorney general
• Programs should have clear opt-out mechanisms
• There may be additional scrutiny for promotional content

To help clients stay compliant, Listrak offers two flexible options:

Time-Based Sending

Schedule all SMS messages to contacts between 12 PM and 8 PM ET aiming to ensure compliance with the new quiet hours.

• Broadcast and Split Test Messages: These can be scheduled using Time Zone Optimization (TZO) to respect local sending windows.
• Triggered Messages via Journey Hub: Quiet hours can be configured or updated within each journey to ensure messages are sent at appropriate times.

Exclude Contacts

If you prefer not to send SMS message to phone numbers in a specific area code(s) during the restricted window, you can exclude them from your campaigns:

• Broadcast Messages: Build a segment using area codes and add it to the Exclude container when creating your audience.
• Split Test Messages: Use the One-Time Filter feature to exclude contacts based on area code.
• Journeys: Apply entry prevention rules using the segment to block contacts from entering the journey and receiving messages.

Final Thought

SMS compliance is evolving, and staying ahead of regulations is key to maintaining trust and performance. With Listrak’s built-in Quiet Hours settings and flexible audience tools, we provide you with resources to confidently send smarter, safer messages—whether you're launching a flash sale, retargeting cart abandoners, or promoting a seasonal campaign.

Want help setting up Quiet Hours or area code-specific segments? Reach out to your Listrak account manager to get started.