Message types

The message types that are available for inbound and outbound messages, and the specifications for these message types, may be slightly different for each RCS technology provider.

Message type availability depends on the solution. See the documentation for each solution to identify whether it supports the message type.

Text

Text messages are limited to 1,000 characters. The messages can include a suggestion feature (Moments).

The supported text formats are:

• TXT, TeXT, US-ASCII – UTF-8, US-ASCII (not UTF-16)
• vCard – Limited support; some handsets do not accept vCards

Text messages are available in Answers, Conversations, Moments, Broadcast, and API.

Image

Send images to end users by either uploading the image or by providing a direct open URL to the image. 

The supported image formats are: 

• JPEG, JPG
• PNG

Image messages are available in Answers, Conversations, Moments, Broadcast, and API.

Audio

Send audio either by directly uploading or by providing a direct open URL. 

The supported audio file formats are:

• MP3, MP4
• MID, MIDI
• WAV

Audio messages are available in Answers, Conversations, Moments, Broadcast, and API.

Video

The supported video formats are: 

• MPEG, MPG, MP4

Video messages are available in Answers, Conversations, Moments, Broadcast, and API.

Rich card

Send a preview of your website or product in the form of an interactive card. Customers can click the link on the card to view your website or product.

Rich cards contain the following elements:

• Title
• Text
• Image
• Suggestions (optional)

Rich cards are available in Answers, Moments, Broadcast, and API.

Carousel

Carousel messages enable you to send multiple rich cards in one message. Customers can use horizontal scroll to view these rich cards, compare the items in the cards, and take actions for individual rich cards.

Carousel messages contain the following elements:

• Title
• Description
• Media
• Suggestions (optional)

Carousel messages are available in Moments, Broadcast, and API.

RCS template messages (India only)

When you send messages to your customers in India, you must use RCS template messages. This feature is designed to prevent abuse of anti-spam policies where users are inundated with promotional RCS messages.

Businesses in India can't use RCS directly via Google. You must direct traffic through a single gateway carrier (Vodafone India). 

The following restrictions are also in place for the use of RCS in India:

• Promotional traffic is limited to 4 per month
• A2P traffic must use a registered template rather than a free-form message