A STOP keyword and a plain-English 'stop texting me' are the same instruction, and the law treats them the same. STOP is just the automated trigger; the obligation is to honor a withdrawal of consent however it arrives. Building your process around only the magic word is how you miss the ones that count.
Why the distinction trips campaigns up
Platforms auto-remove on the keyword STOP, which lulls programs into thinking that's the whole requirement. But a person who texts 'take me off this list' has withdrawn consent just as clearly, and continuing to text them is the same violation as ignoring STOP. The keyword is a convenience, not the boundary.
How to cover both
Let the platform handle standard keywords (STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, QUIT, END) automatically, and train anyone monitoring replies to catch informal opt-outs and remove those contacts too. One combined process, automated plus human, so nothing that means 'stop' slips through.
Frequently asked questions
Is an opt-out the same as a STOP request?
Functionally yes, both withdraw consent and require you to stop texting. STOP is the standard auto-removal keyword, but an opt-out in any wording carries the same legal obligation.
Do I have to honor opt-outs that don't say STOP?
Yes. 'Remove me,' 'unsubscribe,' 'quit texting me,' and similar all withdraw consent. Honor them like a STOP keyword, continuing to text is the same violation.
Informational, not legal advice.
Keep reading: What happens if I don't honor a STOP text and How do I handle angry replies to campaign texts.