# Google RCS {% hint style="warning" %} Google RCS agents are still in early access and we are currently vetting access requests. Please contact support to register your interest. {% endhint %} {% hint style="danger" %} There are additional fees to send Google RCS messages depending on the countries you have launched in {% endhint %} RCS (Rich Communication Services) was built as a replacement for SMS, granting Android users access to rich features that were previously limited to those using Apple's iMessage system. RCS can be a great channel for your business, offering an opportunity to provide customers with a better, more interactive experience that drives engagement and sales. ### Why RCS instead of SMS? RCS offers rich and interactive messages, is available to all Android device users, while still being reliable. Here’s how the two messaging standards stack up: | Feature | RCS | SMS | | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | | Rich media support | Supports images, videos, carousels, GIFs | Limited to plain text | | Interactive elements | Quick reply buttons, suggested actions, reactions | Not supported | | Brand customization | Custom branding with logos, colors, fonts | Limited customization | | Sender ID | Displays verified business name and logo | Displays sender number (e.g. 074657393) | | Delivery receipts | Provides read receipts and delivery status | Limited to delivery confirmation | | Compliance | Supports regulatory requirements like GDPR | Basic compliance with SMS regulations | | Global reach | Increasingly global coverage across RCS-enabled devices | Global coverage with SMS | | Pricing | | Standard SMS pricing applies | ### How to use Google RCS with other Bird products RCS integrates seamlessly with all Bird products. You can send one-off RCS messages with [Campaigns](https://docs.bird.com/applications/campaigns), or multi-step experiences with [Journeys](https://docs.bird.com/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/broken-reference). Replies to RCS messages can be handled manually via Inbox, or by creating an [AI Agent](https://docs.bird.com/applications/ai-features/ai-agents) and [deploying](https://docs.bird.com/applications/ai-features/ai-agents/how-to/deploy-an-ai-agent) it on your RCS channel. {% hint style="info" %} **Example: Google RCS for travel** Here is an example of how a travel business could use Google RCS in combination with other Bird products to sell a vacation: 1. [Create an RCS agent](https://docs.bird.com/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/google-rcs/create-a-google-rcs-message-template). 2. [Install RCS as a channel](https://docs.bird.com/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/create-a-google-rcs-agent-and-install-google-rcs-as-a-channel#step-4-install-rcs-as-a-channel). 3. Create and deploy an [AI agent](https://docs.bird.com/applications/ai-features/ai-agents) that can understand requests about vacations, and provide information about destinations and vacation types. 4. Create an [RCS message template](https://docs.bird.com/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/google-rcs/create-a-google-rcs-message-template), promoting a travel offer. 5. Let the AI Agent handle replies to your campaign. 6. If the AI Agent hands over to a human, pick up the conversation in Inbox. 7. Call the customer directly from Inbox. 8. Close the sale either over the phone or in-conversation. {% endhint %} ### Capabilities and use cases Let's take a look at why RCS can work for you.
Key capabilities Here are some of the key capabilities of RCS: * Multimedia messaging, including high-quality images, videos, GIFs, carousels, and other dynamic features. * Interactive elements like buttons buttons with suggested actions, cross-app connectivity (maps, browsers), and easy, one-tap replies to streamline user interactions. * Verified sender IDs for secure messaging to build trust and reduce spam. * High-resolution media sharing. * Read receipts and typing indicators. * Secure group chats. * Google Wallet integration. * End-to-end encryption. * Built-in analytics and reporting.
Common use cases * Send OTP (one-time-passwords) to users securely. * Promotional offers and checkout * Suspicious payment alert * Visual delivery confirmation and order reviews * Pay per view with activation code * Vouchers for in-store sales * Customer support with GenAI * Travel inspiration and seamless booking * Abandoned cart recovery
RCS message types * **Basic text**: 160 character limit. Used for OTP, transactional, typically replaces SMS communication. * **Rich card**: Structured card with images and buttons combined. You can add a list of 'suggested replies' under the card. * **Rich message**: Text, image, or file messages, with optional action buttons. * **Carousel**: An scrollable carousel of rich cards, containing images and a list of suggested reply buttons.
--- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.bird.com/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/google-rcs.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.