Marketing

In today’s competitive landscape, businesses need more than just SMS to truly connect with their audience. RCS business messaging is fast becoming the new standard—an evolution of SMS designed for brands that want to send smarter, richer, and more interactive mobile messages.

But before you consider adopting it, you're probably asking: What is RCS messaging? What is an RCS message, exactly? And what does it mean for your business?

This guide answers all of that, plus how you can use RCS messages to create better conversations, build stronger brand recognition, and drive measurable results. Everything you want to know about RCS messaging is here, including all the features for sharing high-quality media, using interactive buttons, and receiving read receipts. Learn how to create a richer, app-like experience for your customers and unleash the potential of RCS messaging for your business.

What is RCS Messaging?

RCS stands for Rich Communication Services, which is a next-gen mobile messaging protocol developed as a modern alternative to SMS, and MMS. RCS messaging makes conversations with customers feel more dynamic and engaging by allowing for multimedia sharing, read receipts, real-time typing indicators, and much more. It enables brands to send and receive interactive messages using high-resolution media, real-time engagement features, and two-way conversation tools, all from within the customer’s native messaging app.

Where SMS is limited to plain text and basic links, RCS messaging supports:

  • Images, videos, GIFs, and carousels.

  • Interactive buttons (e.g., “Buy Now,” “Call Now,” “Track Order”).

  • Typing indicators and read receipts.

  • Verified business sender IDs and branding.

  • Suggested replies and smart automation.

So, what is an RCS message? It’s a branded, visually rich message that behaves more like an app experience than a basic text that is sent straight to your customer’s inbox, no downloads required.

Another communication option for brands is RBM (RCS Business Messaging). Unlike general RCS, RBM focuses more on creating branded communication using logos and colours. It also has additional options like quick-reply buttons, advanced call-to-action options (e.g., “Buy Now,” “Book Appointment”), and tracking analytics.

What does RCS Message mean for business communication?

The RCS message meaning goes beyond multimedia. It’s a communication shift, giving businesses the tools to engage, inform, and convert within the messaging channel customers already use.

It transforms your messages into:

  • Mini customer journeys, with real-time interactions.

  • Mobile storefronts, with browse-and-buy capability.

  • Support chats, with multimedia guidance and faster resolutions.

  • Event tools, with interactive invites, reminders, and directions.

If you’ve ever wanted your SMS campaigns to feel more like a mobile app, RCS is how you get there.

How RCS improves business messaging

1. Interactive and Media-Rich Messaging

Capture customer attention from the first glance. With RCS, your business can deliver:

  • Product images or promotional carousels.

  • How-to videos and explainer GIFs.

  • Event countdowns and digital tickets.

  • Personalised offers with CTA buttons.

And because it’s all inside the native messaging app (like Google Messages), there’s no need for additional apps or logins.

All with one tap. No need to leave the conversation or search for your website.Interactive buttons allow customers to take immediate action. Whether it’s making a purchase, booking an appointment, or navigating to a website, do it all without leaving the chat.

High-resolution media: Create content that looks professional by sharing images, videos, and GIFs in stunning quality. RCS is an effective solution for showcasing products or sending visually engaging marketing materials—the perfect compliment toyour multimedia-rich MMS messaging campaigns.

2. Verified and branded messaging for business

Trust is critical in digital communication. With RCS business messaging, your messages:

  • Appear under a verified business name.

  • Include your logo and brand colours.

  • Provide a consistent sender ID (no random numbers).

This branding not only reassures customers that your messages are legitimate—it boosts recognition and credibility across every interaction.

3. Seamless two-way customer conversations

Gone are the days of “Do Not Reply” messages. RCS enables full two-way communication, ideal for:

  • Appointment confirmations and changes.

  • Real-time support with location sharing or media uploads. Send precise location information to customers and make it simple to provide directions, coordinate deliveries, share event details, or special offers.

  • Purchase follow-ups and feedback collection.

Customers can reply, take action, or complete transactions—all within one conversation thread. Engage with multiple customers at once thanks to group messaging—a feature perfect for managing discussions, sending event invitations, or coordinating logistics in real time.

4. Read Receipts, typing indicators and advanced analytics

RCS delivers insights SMS can’t. Know exactly how your customers are engaging:

  • See when messages are read and get real-time typing indicators, helping to keep your communication transparent and seamless.

  • Track which buttons are clicked - Uncover valuable insights into your messaging performance with data on read receipts, user interactions with action buttons, and media views. Learn how your customers interact with your business messaging and refine your strategy to deliver content that resonates.

  • Measure conversions in real time - Interactive action buttons and rich media make it easier for users to complete actions like purchases, reservations, or form submissions, and give your conversion rate a welcome boost.

    These analytics allow you to optimise campaigns, test creative, and understand what drives real business results.

5. Action-oriented messaging with built-in CTAs

Utilise RCS to improve your customer support process by providing real-time responses, multimedia troubleshooting guides, or location-based assistance. Smoother interactions make it easier to provide your customers with the support they need.

Let customers take the next step without delay:

  • Buy Now to complete a purchase.

  • Book Appointment to secure a spot.

  • Track Delivery to follow an order.

  • Call Now to speak to a team member.

Where is RCS supported?

RCS is already available in many major global markets—including the US, UK, Canada, Germany, India, and more. It's supported by most major Android carriers via Google’s RCS Universal Profile.

  • Full coverage countries: Canada, Mexico, Brazil, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and India benefit from complete RCS support. Here, it’s easy for businesses to reach their markets with rich, interactive messages.

  • Partial support: In many other countries, RCS services are available through Google’s RCS platform or select local mobile operators. Leverage RCS capabilities and reap the same rewards in regions where full support may not yet be available. Apple also has also rolled out an RCS function on their iOS 18 update. However, it is not presently supported in Australia, meaning users cannot send higher-quality photos and videos, see read receipts and typing indicators, or access emoji reactions. 

Apple’s announcement that iOS will support RCS in 2024 marks a significant leap forward in cross-platform messaging, although full RCS support is not yet available in Australia for iPhone users. That said, the Android market remains dominant and continues to offer full RCS support across devices.

For brands in Australia, it’s the perfect time to prepare your messaging strategy and be ready when iOS support expands regionally.

Why RCS business messaging matters for your brand

Here’s why now is the time to take RCS seriously:

  • Customer expectations are higher than ever as text-only messaging feels outdated.

  • Engagement rates are declining with email and SMS.

  • Mobile-first commerce is growing, and customers expect seamless journeys.

  • Personalisation and brand trust drive loyalty and repeat purchases.Produce a branded messaging experience that feels more professional and polished than SMS. Use logos, colours, and branding within RCS messages to create consistent, trustworthy images that customers will recognise.

RCS business messaging brings all of this together into a single, unified communication channel. It allows you to send more impactful, more measurable, and more customer-friendly messages.

How can I get started with RCS Business Messaging?

At Kudosity, we make it easy to unlock the benefits of RCS for business from strategy to execution. Whether you’re running high-volume campaigns or setting up transactional messaging, we provide:

  • Guided RCS onboarding and message design.

  • Verified business setup and compliance handling.

  • Access to templates, carousels, branded buttons, and more.

  • Ongoing support and analytics tools to monitor results.

  • Integration across SMS, MMS, and RCS from a single platform.

RCS may still be gaining ground but smart brands are planning ahead, gaining early traction, and preparing for its inevitable dominance.

Start your RCS journey with Kudosity

Looking to evolve your communication strategy and create messaging that truly connects? Explore Kudosity’s RCS Messaging Solutions to see how rich, branded conversations can elevate your customer experience and drive better business outcomes.

Want to understand how recent changes, like Apple’s adoption of RCS, could impact your marketing strategy? Read What Apple’s RCS Release Means for Marketers for expert insights.

What is an RCS message? It’s more than just the next step in mobile communication—it’s your opportunity to lead the way in interactive, intelligent customer engagement. Let Kudosity help you unlock its full potential.

RCS messaging represents the future of business communication. By integrating high-quality media, action buttons, and brand personalisation, RCS helps businesses build stronger connections with customers, streamline engagement strategies, boost conversions, and enhance customer support. Open up a world of possibilities for memorable, impactful interactions and explore how RCS messaging can transform your brand's presence in the digital landscape.