Quiet Hours
Restricted times during which promotional SMS cannot be sent (before 8am, after 9pm).
Restricted times during which promotional SMS cannot be sent (before 8am, after 9pm).
Why It Matters
Quiet hours aren't just courtesy—they're often legally required. The TCPA and CTIA guidelines prohibit marketing messages during inappropriate hours. Violating quiet hours increases opt-outs, complaints, and legal risk. Respecting subscriber sleep also improves engagement and brand perception.
Practical Example
Scenario
A supplement brand schedules a flash sale SMS for 9 PM EST, forgetting they have subscribers across time zones. West Coast subscribers receive it at 6 PM (fine), but the message hits Hawaii at 4 PM and some East Coast stragglers at 9:30 PM.
Calculation
Messages sent after 9 PM local time violate quiet hours guidelinesResult
They implement timezone-aware sending in their ESP, ensuring all messages deliver during 8 AM-9 PM in each recipient's local time.
Pro Tips
- 1Use timezone-aware sending—most ESPs can deliver based on recipient's local time
- 2Default to conservative hours (9 AM-8 PM) rather than pushing limits
- 3Queue messages to send at the start of the next valid window, not immediately when quiet hours end
- 4Consider even tighter windows for better engagement (10 AM-7 PM often performs best)