13 Astonishing Text Message Statistics And Trends To Know

SMS has become one of the most powerful tools for organizations to reach people instantly. The latest text message statistics reveal why texting drives engagement, prompts action, and strengthens relationships like no other channel. 

In this blog, we break down the most eye-opening stats and trends of 2026, showing how you can harness SMS to connect smarter, faster, and more effectively with your audience.

Top text messaging statistics to know

 1. 98% of text messages get opened

With almost every text being read, SMS guarantees visibility unlike crowded inboxes. For organizations, it means direct, distraction-free communication that drives awareness and response.

2. CTR of SMS is 36% on average, whereas it’s a mere 3.4% for emails and around 2% for social media 

When people see your text message, they actually take action. These text message statistics show a massive 10x performance difference, which explains why businesses are rapidly shifting marketing budgets from email to SMS campaigns. 

3. Text messages have a 45% response rate, whereas email responses are just 8%.

Quick replies are natural on text. The short, conversational format makes it easy for supporters or voters to respond without hesitation.

4. 90% of SMS messages are read within three minutes 

The speed of SMS consumption is unmatched, as these text message statistics say—people don’t save texts for later like emails. This creates unique opportunities for time-sensitive campaigns, flash sales, appointment reminders, and urgent notifications that demand immediate attention and action

5. Text messages containing emojis were perceived as more responsive than plain text-only messages. 

These text message statistics tell how visual elements in messages tap into human psychology, making communications feel more personal and engaging. 

Emojis help convey emotion and tone that plain text cannot, leading to higher engagement rates and more positive brand perception among recipients 😇

6. 88% of cellphone users check their devices for new messages almost immediately after waking up

The morning time presents a golden opportunity when people are most receptive to messages. This is the time marketers send: 

• Donation reminders
• Event or volunteer reminders
• Impact updates or gratitude texts 

This text message statistics prove its perfect for early morning delivery when attention is highest and competition from other messages is lowest.

7. 60% of millennials prefer two-way text messaging – Text message statistics 

Today’s audiences expect conversations, not broadcasts. Enabling peer-to-peer text messaging builds trust and fosters stronger relationships.

8. 97% of companies report that texting initiatives help them communicate with consumers more efficiently

Adding SMS creates a direct line to customers and supporters, cutting through delays and clutter from emails or calls. It makes interactions faster, simpler, and more reliable, improving overall efficiency for campaigns and nonprofits alike.

9. Engaging content (like an MMS) generates conversions 70% of the time compared to passive content, which is at 36%.

This text message statistics says visual content dramatically outperforms text-only messages by providing richer context and emotional connection. Images, videos, and graphics (MMS or RCS) help customers better understand products, services, or offers, leading to significantly higher conversion rates and engagement. 

10. Americans send or receive an average of 41.5 text messages per day – Text message statistics

This high usage rate proves texting is deeply integrated into daily life, making it the most natural channel for business communication. 

11. 54% of organizations consider text messaging to be the most effective method for engaging with customers. 

Texting works so well because it’s fast, personal, and impossible to ignore—most people read texts within minutes. 

This direct, on-the-go communication makes it perfect for updates, reminders, and quick interactions, which is why most of organizations rank it as the most effective way to connect with customers. 

 12. 52% of consumers text businesses more often, a 31% increase over 2023 – Text message statistics

The demand for mobile communication is growing fast. Organizations that adapt to this shift win more loyalty and attention.

13. 65% of brands that use SMS don’t have a formal strategy in place for bulk messaging – Text message statistics

While many have adopted texting, few are optimizing it. A structured SMS plan ensures consistent tone, timing, and targeting.

To conclude

While text message statistics present so many opportunities and advantages for businesses, it’s surprising to see that:

• About 61% of marketers still don’t use SMS. 

If you are part of this percentage, now is the best time to implement SMS marketing for your organization. 

A text messaging platform like CallHub can help you get started with this. Apart from boosting engagement and strengthening relationships, you can also gain an edge over your competitors (since most of them might not have adopted it yet). 

All the best with your campaigns! Hopefully, the text message marketing statistics and tips above help you formulate a bulletproof strategy for your upcoming campaigns for texting customers.

FAQs on text message statistics

Nandhaan Verma

Nandhaan is a marketer with nearly 5 years of experience researching & writing about communication for nonprofits, advocacies, & political campaigns. His insights have empowered multiple organizations to streamline communications & drive change.