Add Links to SMS

Goal

Add a link address (URL) to an SMS message in Mapp Engage.

Background Information

Links in SMS messages are a valuable way to direct recipients to websites, landing pages, or additional resources. However, SMS has limitations that impact how links can be used:

• Links must be in plain text (not HTML).

• SMS messages have strict character limits depending on encoding.

• Link tracking is not supported automatically in SMS messages.

To optimize space and personalize your SMS, Mapp Engage provides two link shortening options and allows placeholder parameters:

1. Mapp Engage native option available across SMS carriers. This option involves a manual step if dynamic content is involved.

2. A link shortening option supported by the SMS provider Infobip. This option can automatically handle dynamic links without any manual effort.

For more information, see 2.2 Optimize your link.

Procedure

1 Create a new SMS Message

1. In the main navigation, click Create New > Message > SMS Message.

2. Enter message information and click Create.

2 Compose SMS Content

2.1 Enter your content

1. Enter the SMS text in the input field.

   • Add personalizations, variables, or upload the message.

   • Add your link address directly in the SMS text.

   • The character count appears beneath the input field.

2.2 Optimize your link:

Option 1 - In the Content step (Mapp Engage native solution):

1. Click Shorten links to reduce character count.

   • Add personalization placeholders after shortening the link:

     • Paste your link into the SMS content.
       Example: https://mapp.com/blog/mapp-fashion-presents-the-fashion-decoded-2025-recap/

     • Click Shorten Link.
       The link changes to something like: https://mre.li/3koE09CW

     • Add a personalization placeholder:
       https://mre.li/3koE09CW?email=<%user.Email%>

2. Proceed to

Option 2 - In the Content step (Infobip link shortening solution):

Note:

Unlike in the Engage native solution, the Infobip link shortening is done in the Configuration step. Please finalize everything in the Content step, including Advanced settings (see 2.3 Finalize SMS Content and Advanced Settings) before moving on to the Configuration step.

1. Click Prepare Sendout to proceed to the Configuration step.

2. In the Configuration step, select an Infobip SMS channel for the sendout.

3. After choosing the Infobip channel, a new option appears: Vendor link shortening.

   • This option is disabled by default.

   • Enable it to activate Infobip’s link shortening feature.

Note:

Links shortened with this method don’t have a preview and are shortened during the sendout.

2.3 Finalize SMS Content and Advanced Settings

1. Expand the Advanced Options section.

2. In the SMS Encoding area, choose the message encoding and click Prepare Sendout.

   • ISO-8859-1: Up to 160 characters per message.

   • UTF-8: Up to 70 characters per message. Supports special characters.

3. Configure your sendout settings and click Check Message.

3 Configure the SMS Sendout

This step defines how and when your SMS message is sent. You choose the target group, schedule or send immediately, apply segmentation, and optionally save the message for repeated or automated use.

For details, see SMS Message Creation: 3 - Configuration.

4 Review and Send

1. In the Summary step, you review all message settings and see the message preview.

2. Click Prepare Sendout to return to the previous step, where you can edit the message.

3. Click Send (if Message Transport was set to Immediately), or Schedule Message (if Message Transport was set to Schedule).