The Rules at a Glance
Internal Participants | External Participants | |
|---|---|---|
How many? | Unlimited | Depends on your Business Number (DID) |
When can you add? | Anytime | Only at creation |
Can you remove? | Yes | No (close & recreate instead) |
What does the customer see? | One business number | All external participants individually shown |
External Participant Limited by your business number (DID)
US Number (+1):
Multiple US external contacts + unlimited internal OR
One non-US external contact + unlimited internal
Non-US Number:
One external contact (any country) + unlimited internal
Internal participants are always hidden. Customers only see your business number.
Creating a Group: 5 Steps
Click "Group" on your first contact
Add external participants (follow rules above)
Add internal team members (unlimited)
Select your Business Number (if more than one is available)
Click "Message X participants" twice (once to review → once to send)
Critical: External participant list locks after messaging. Review the list carefully.
Common Scenarios
I want to... | Solution |
|---|---|
Message multiple US customers + my team | Use US DID → Add multiple US external → Add internal participants |
Message one international customer + my team | Use any DID → Add one external → Add internal participants |
Add a team member to existing conversation | Conversation settings → Add internal participant |
Add an external participant I forgot | Close conversation → Create new group with all participants |
Upgrade an old group conversation | Close old → Create new with same participants |
Know why a contact is greyed out | Click it, the app shows why based on your selections |
Message the same person in different contexts | Create separate conversations. The same contact can be in multiple groups and 1:1 messages if the external participants are different (Your business number and Contact(s) numbers) |
Quick Answers
Can I add external participants later?
No. Close and recreate instead.
I’m outside the US, can I use groups?
Yes, but only for one external participant. All internal participants are behind your business number.
Are all messages now sent with MMS?
No. Only messages with more than one external participant are sent as MMS. Messages to one external number is still SMS. From the customers perspective its still a one-to-one message with your business number no matter how many internal participants are added.
Can I add internal participants later?
Yes, anytime, unlimited.
Can the same contact be in multiple conversations?
Yes. You can have both 1:1 messages and group conversations with the same person, plus include them in multiple different groups.
What if I try to create a group with participants I'm already messaging?
Spoke will open the existing conversation if the participants are the same. If the participants are different, you'll get a new group conversation.
Will this disrupt my existing groups?
No. They continue working unchanged.
What Changed from Old Groups?
Old way: Individual SMS to each person, they couldn't see each other
New way: True group conversation with multiple external numbers, using carrier MMS, everyone sees the group (your internal participants still appear as one business number though)
Your existing groups: Still work with the old method. Upgrade when ready.