---
title: "Paging Messages | SpotOn Reserve Web Portal"
canonical: "https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/1459225237/Paging%20Messages%20%7C%20SpotOn%20Reserve%20Web%20Portal"
format: markdown
---
## **Overview**
Paging Messages in the **SpotOn Reserve Web Portal** allow restaurants to communicate with guests through automated SMS notifications. These messages can be sent to guests when they join a waitlist, confirm a reservation, receive a table-ready notification, or during other stages of the dining experience.
Paging messages help keep guests informed and improve communication by automatically sending important details such as reservation times, wait estimates, and table readiness.
> ⚠️ Messages can be customized using **merge codes**, which automatically insert guest-specific information such as party size or reservation time. All paging messages must remain within the **160-character SMS carrier limit** to ensure successful delivery.
Paging messages are organized by messaging category and can be reviewed or overridden directly within the Web Portal.
**Quick Links**
> Macro (toc)
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> ℹ️ **Access Paging Messages**
> ℹ️
> ℹ️ 1. Log in to the **SpotOn Reserve Web Portal**.
> ℹ️ 2. From the left-side navigation menu, select **Advanced**.
> ℹ️ 3. Click **Paging Messages**.
> ℹ️ 4. Review the available messaging categories displayed on the page.
---
### Paging Basics
You can include the following **merge codes** that will be replaced with contextual data at the time the message is sent.
> ⚠️ **NOTE: ** Please use the provided **Merge Codes** when creating paging messages.
### Wait List
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### Reservations
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### Paging
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### SpotOn
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### Mid Meal Check In
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### Take Out
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# FAQs
**Do paging messages have a character limit?**
Yes. SMS carriers require messages to remain **under 160 characters**.
**What are merge codes?**
Merge codes automatically insert guest information such as reservation time, party size, or wait time into the message.
**Do I need a custom phone number to modify messages?**
Yes. Customizing paging messages requires a **custom phone number**, which can be requested from SpotOn support.
**Can messaging features be enabled later?**
Yes. Some messaging categories may be disabled depending on your configuration. Contact your **SpotOn Sales Representative** to enable additional messaging features.
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# Tips
**Messages are not sending**
- Confirm the system phone number is properly configured.
- Verify messages are under **160 characters**.
- Ensure the paging feature is enabled for your location.
**Avoid carrier blacklisting**
- Avoid excessive marketing language or spam-like messaging.
- Use **merge codes** whenever possible instead of hard-coded guest information.
**Important Warning**
If mobile carriers determine that your messaging content does not meet their standards, the phone number may be **blacklisted**, which will prevent SMS messages from sending. Restoring SMS capability may take **7–10 business days**.
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# Related Articles
- [Upcoming Reservations | SpotOn Reserve Web Portal](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/4912119810/Upcoming+Reservations+%7C+SpotOn+Reserve+Web+Portal)
- [How to Create Custom Email Templates | SpotOn Reserve](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/4903338134)
- [Deposits Setup & Management | SpotOn Reserve Web Portal](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/4893540534/Deposits+Setup+&+Management+%7C+SpotOn+Reserve+Web+Portal).
- [Reservation Pacing Setup & Management | SpotOn Reserve Web Portal](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/4900880414/Reservation+Pacing+Setup+&+Management+%7C+SpotOn+Reserve+Web+Portal)