Frequently Asked QuestionsBuying Advertising
Consumer Audience
General
Privacy and Legal ConcernsBuying AdvertisingHow does this work?4INFO is a text message advertising network, bringing together publishers of SMS content with advertisers who want to reach the readers of that content. 4INFO places ads on both our own text message search and alert messages, as well as placing ads on text messages published by our partners.What does it take to set up?Simply contact our sales team to set up a campaign. Select your target audience, your call to action, your creative, and your advertising will start immediately.How much does it cost?Our advertising is sold on a CPM, or cost per thousand impressions basis. The CPM price varies depending on the content channel and the volume of your campaign.Is there a minimum time commitment?No. You can purchase advertising for one day or one year – it's up to you.Do I have control over where my ads appear?Yes, to an extent. We offer a variety of targeting options that allow you to select the specific audience that will see your advertising. However we can't show you the content that will appear with your ad in advance.What kind of response rate should I expect?Response rates are highly dependent on your campaign specifics. That said, we've had campaigns with as high as 30% click through rate, with an average closer to 2%.Consumer AudienceHow do consumers find 4INFO services?People hear about 4INFO services in print, online, on television and through advertising. 4INFO services appear in the front of every section of USA Today daily, as well as in select Gannett local newspapers nationwide. Our partner publishers promote their own services, powered by 4INFO, to their own user audience. 4INFO services have been promoted on E! Entertainment television, MTV, and the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network.Can I target my ad to a specific audience?Yes. 4INFO offers a variety of targeting options that allow you to select the specific audience that will see your advertising.How many active SMS users are in the US?The CTIA estimates that in the first half of 2007 there were 243 million wireless users. Of these, 97 million are text message users.SOURCE: CTIA Wireless Quick Facts, June 2007 and MMA Usage Study, 2007 What is the overall demographic of SMS users?Text messaging is equally appealing to mobile users of all incomes, but is biased to the young - 76% of 18-24 year old mobile owners are SMS users, while 68% of people 18-34 use SMS. SOURCE: Mobile Marketing Association Mobile Attitudes & Usage Study, Nov. 2007Does 4INFO work internationally?No. Our text message search and alert services are currently only available in the U.S.What carriers do you support?4INFO supports all major U.S. carriers and most small ones, too. The following is a list of carriers 4INFO currently supports:
GeneralWhat is text messaging (SMS)?Text messaging, or Short Message Service (SMS), is a service offered by most wireless service providers and available on the vast majority of today's mobile phones. You can use it to send and receive short messages (up to 160 characters) to communicate with friends or get information from services like 4INFO. The act of sending a text message can be referred to as texting.What is a short code? Do I need one?A shortcode (officially called a Common Short Code) is a short number (generally 4-6 digits long) to which a text message (SMS) can be sent from a mobile phone. Shortcodes are useful because they save you from having to memorize an entire 10-digit number. For example, to send a text message to 4INFO you just send a text message to 44636 (it spells 4INFO on your keypad). It's like a phone number for text messaging only, and you don't need one to advertise on the 4INFO network.What are text alerts?Text alerts are messages sent automatically by 4INFO to a mobile device. These are services you can receive on a schedule, or when designated events occur. For example, consumers can get weather reports every day at a certain time or get a favorite sports team's latest score as soon as the game's over.What is the Mobile Web (WAP)?Mobile Web sites (also known as WAP sites) are similar to regular websites but formatted for better viewing on your mobile device. Many phones offer the capability of browsing these mobile sites, although it usually requires having a data plan offered by a wireless service provider.How much does it cost to send and receive an SMS?This depends on your wireless provider's service plan. Most plans come with some sort of bucket, such as 500-1000 SMS messages, for an additional monthly charge of $5-$10. When SMS messaging is not included in service plans, most US carriers charge users between $.10 and $.25 per message. 4INFO doesn't charge consumers for its services.What is 4INFO's short code?44636 – it spells 4INFO!Will my ad run on any other short codes?It is possible. 4INFO partners with companies to place advertising on the content delivered over the partner's short code.Privacy and Legal ConcernsWill people think we are spamming them?No. Every recipient of a 4INFO text message has requested that message. 4INFO never sends unsolicited messages.Are there laws against advertising on cell phones?There are laws against spamming to cell phones. 4INFO never sends unsolicited messages. Please see our full privacy policy for details.Can I buy the phone numbers of the users who interacted with my ad?No. We do not sell personal data, per the terms of our privacy policy.Are there any hidden fees or premium charges?There is no catch to 4INFO services. Consumers can use 4INFO to get information in text messages for free, except for whatever their wireless carrier charges for text messages. Advertisers pay to place advertising on these messages. |
