---
schema_version: "1"
id: 819d5fef63c7d35981a36a6098a13be5385131f90197fd4339d07909e6da2dc7
title: Use Next Keyword
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/mktg/264-0-0/mc_moc_use_next_keyword.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_moc_use_next_keyword.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 070582e19ff6355bba870ab9f55c320117a3bf524779b5155721cac304ca9eab
description: Next Keyword sets up what the keyword for the next response should be. Contacts can text in without a keyword, and MobileConnect automatically appends the Next keyword to the contact’s response. You can use Next Keyword functionality to transition seamlessly from one message to the next, like a conversation. For example, enable the Next Keyword functionality on an outbound message to proceed to a text response message. When a subscriber receives the outbound message, that message includes a request for a response. The subscriber’s response triggers the text response message.
products:
  - Marketing
  - Marketing Cloud Engagement
release: "264"
---
# Use Next Keyword

Next Keyword sets up what the keyword for the next response should be. Contacts can text in without a keyword, and MobileConnect automatically appends the Next keyword to the contact’s response. You can use Next Keyword functionality to transition seamlessly from one message to the next, like a conversation. For example, enable the Next Keyword functionality on an outbound message to proceed to a text response message. When a subscriber receives the outbound message, that message includes a request for a response. The subscriber’s response triggers the text response message.

![Note](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-mktg-mc_mobile_studio-264-0-0-production-enus/26e7f9fa-f44c-489b-9b21-135d26904a29/images/icon_note.png)

Note A Next Keyword conversation remains open for 60 minutes after you send an outbound message or receive a message from a contact.

1. Plan your conversation to ensure that you create the appropriate workflow with all necessary keywords.
2. Create the two keywords to be used in the conversation, as necessary.
    
    ![Note](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-mktg-mc_mobile_studio-264-0-0-production-enus/26e7f9fa-f44c-489b-9b21-135d26904a29/images/icon_note.png)
    
    Note Next Keyword responses must be a minimum of 2 characters.
3. Create the two messages.
4. Set the Next keyword for the first message as the keyword for the second message.
5. Set both messages to be active at the same time.

![Example](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-mktg-mc_mobile_studio-264-0-0-production-enus/26e7f9fa-f44c-489b-9b21-135d26904a29/images/icon_example.png)

Example

Northern Trail Outfitters uses a mobile opt-in message with the keyword KOCH1SMS and Next keyword KOCH1EMAIL to prompt customers to sign up for SMS alerts for their new campaign. In the mobile opt-in confirmation message, they ask customers to text in an email address to receive more messages.

![SMS opt in](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-mktg-mc_mobile_studio-264-0-0-production-enus/26e7f9fa-f44c-489b-9b21-135d26904a29/mc_mobile_studio/images/mc_moc_smsoptin.png)

They also set up an email opt-in message with the keyword KOCH1EMAIL and Next keyword KOCH1MORE. In the email opt-in confirmation message, they ask customers to text in their first name to receive customized messages.

![email opt in](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-mktg-mc_mobile_studio-264-0-0-production-enus/26e7f9fa-f44c-489b-9b21-135d26904a29/mc_mobile_studio/images/mc_moc_emailoptin.png)

After customers text in their email address in response to the mobile opt-in confirmation message, KOCH1EMAIL is appended to their response, and the conversation switches to the email opt-in message.

Northern Trail Outfitters sets up an info capture message with the keyword KOCH1MORE to capture the customer’s first name. In the info capture confirmation message, they also ask customers to text in their last name. After customers text in their last name, they receive a confirmation message and the conversation ends.

![info capture](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-mktg-mc_mobile_studio-264-0-0-production-enus/26e7f9fa-f44c-489b-9b21-135d26904a29/mc_mobile_studio/images/mc_moc_infocapture.png)