Mass Text vs. Group Text: A Comparison

At first glance, the terms “mass text” and “group text” might seem like they could be used interchangeably. This is a common misconception.

While both types of texting involve sending a single message to multiple people at once, there is one key difference: a mass text initiates separate text threads with each individual, while a group text creates one collaborative thread where all recipients can see and respond to each other.

As you can imagine, mistaking these terms could cause trouble, ranging from mild frustration to a serious breach of consumer privacy.

Let’s clear things up once and for all. Keep reading to learn more about mass vs. group texting and when to use them.

Table of Contents:

• What is Mass Texting?
• What is Group Texting?
• Group Text vs. Mass Text: Core Differences
• When to Use a Mass Text vs. Group Text
• Top Use Cases for Group and Mass Texting

What Is Mass Texting?

Mass texting is sending the same text message to many people and initiating a separate text thread with each recipient. The recipients can’t see who else received the text, nor can they see anyone else’s responses. For this reason, mass texting is typically the ideal format for business use and is often used for text marketing.

Mass text messaging is also called bulk texting or broadcast SMS messaging.

What Is Group Texting?

Group texting is when you create a single text thread in which multiple recipients can see and respond to one another. Group texting is typically used in scenarios where the recipients already know each other.

Group Text vs. Mass Text: Core Differences

Let’s dive deeper into the differences between a group text and a mass text.

Message Delivery

When sending a group text, your message is delivered to all recipients in a single, shared thread. A mass text is delivered to each recipient as an individual, private thread.

Reply Visibility

In a group text, everyone in the thread can see everyone’s replies. With mass texts, recipients can’t see other recipients’ replies; only the sender sees replies. 

Privacy

In a group text, everyone can see each other’s phone numbers. That information is kept private in mass texting.

Number of Recipients

While you can send mass texts to an unlimited number of people, group messages are limited to 10 recipients (for SMS) or 30 recipients (for iMessage). 

Use Case

Group texting is useful for keeping people on the same page and encouraging interaction with one another. Mass texting is ideal for sending promotional messages, reminders, and announcements to a large number of people. 

When To Use a Mass Text vs. Group Text

Here’s a simple way to determine if you should send a mass text or a group text:

Use mass texting when you DON’T want recipients to see other recipients' phone numbers or replies and when you want individual text threads with each person.

Use group texting when you DO want all recipients to see each other’s phone numbers and replies, and when you want a single text thread where all recipients can talk to each other.

Best Use Cases for Mass Texting and Group Texting 

Now that we’ve cleared up the confusion about these two texting terms, let’s explore the top ways organizations can implement these types of messages.

Top Mass Texting Use Cases 

Businesses and organizations typically use mass texting to send marketing messages, mass text alerts, appointment reminders, feedback requests, order updates, and event invitations. 

Marketing Texts

SMS marketing is an effective, low-cost strategy for boosting engagement and driving conversions. Text messaging boasts an open rate of 98% (compared to email marketing’s 21%), so your message is more likely to reach consumers.

Whether you’re sharing a promotion, “Save 40% off all art supplies with code PAINT25,” or announcing a product launch, “Discover Shimmrr - our new professional-grade metallic watercolors,” mass texting instantly gets your marketing message to thousands of consumers.

Plus, just as with email campaigns, you can personalize your SMS marketing messages for different audience segments, monitor campaign metrics, and run A/B tests for continuous optimization.

Text Alerts

Sometimes, the unexpected happens, and you need a way to communicate last-minute changes to your consumers. Mass texting can send alerts about facility closures, appointment cancellations, product recalls, and school snow days.

Appointment Reminders

To reduce no-shows and cancellations, healthcare providers can use mass texting platforms to send automated appointment reminders. When these text messages ask for a response (“Reply Y to confirm, N to reschedule”), they are even more effective in boosting patient attendance. Appointment reminders can extend to other businesses as well, from car dealerships confirming test drives to realtors confirming apartment showings. 

Feedback Requests

Mass texting is a great way to get feedback from your customers. You could text a link to a survey: “How was your experience with our care team today? Please take a minute to answer this 5-question survey…” or simply ask for a quick reply: “Please rate your visit. On a scale from 1-10, with 1 being not satisfied and 10 being completely satisfied, how satisfied were you with your visit today?”

Order Updates

Mass texting can also be used to provide convenient order updates. Set up an automated text message to let customers know when items have shipped, how they can track their orders, when items have been delivered, and how they can resolve any problems with their orders.

Event Invites

Do you need to promote an event without revealing your invitees’ personal information? Mass texting is a great way to send event invitations, request RSVPs, and send updates during the weeks and days leading up to the event.

Top Group Texting Use Cases

Businesses can use group texting when there is a need for collaboration or when it is appropriate for recipients to see each other’s responses and information.

Team Coordination

Smaller businesses might use group texts to coordinate schedules and share updates. For instance, the owner of a coffee shop might text her staff at the beginning of each week to announce shift assignments and featured menu items. If anyone has a question, the entire team will get to see the answer, keeping everyone on the same page. Another great example of team coordination is for businesses that have field workers. It is easier to reach these teams via text than email.

Internal Communication

For larger corporations, group texting is usually facilitated through a secure web app. Group texting enables real-time communication (much faster than email), so team members can share project updates, bounce ideas, get instant feedback from their colleagues, and collaborate on solutions.

Texting Households

Some professionals use group texting to communicate with families. For instance, a real estate agent working with a married couple will start a group text to share homes with both of them. A preschool teacher might text both parents to update them on their child’s day at school.

As you can see, there are instances where group texting is used in professional scenarios. Most of the time, however, businesses and organizations leverage mass texting to reach consumers.

Looking To Send a Mass Text? Mozeo Has You Covered

Mass texting for your business is a breeze with Mozeo. Our team will set you up with a registered and approved phone number, and you’ll be texting your customers in no time. You can manage text conversations in an easy-to-use inbox, track metrics, save text templates, and even set up auto replies.

Start reaching your customers at scale with Mozeo’s powerful business text messaging service. Sign up for a free demo of Mozeo today.