What is a robocall?
A robocall is a phone call made with an autodialer, or one that plays a prerecorded or artificial voice message.
What the FCC means by it
The FCC describes robocalls as phone calls made using an autodialer or a prerecorded or artificial voice message. The term is about how a call is placed or delivered, not what it is for. Federal robocall rules come mainly from the TCPA and the FCC's rules under it.
Why it matters for sales teams
The FCC says written consent, on paper or by electronic means such as a website form or a telephone keypress, is required before a prerecorded telemarketing call to a landline, or an autodialed or prerecorded telemarketing call to a wireless number. FCC rules also require every artificial or prerecorded voice message to identify the business or person responsible for the call at the beginning, and to give its phone number during or after the message. The FCC also says AI-generated voice calls are illegal unless the consumer has agreed to receive them or the caller is exempt. People may opt out of any robocall at any time, in any reasonable manner.
Whether a dialer counts as an autodialer is a separate legal question, covered under ATDS.
Robocall vs live call
A rep who talks to the prospect in person is not delivering a prerecorded or artificial voice. Whether that call is still a robocall depends on how it was dialed. Compare telemarketing, which is defined by a call's purpose.
This is a general definition, not legal advice.