SMS tips to make sure your message is not reported as spam

What to do:

  • Indicate where the message is coming from. What organization you are sending from or sending on behalf of.
  • Indicate nature of your contact reason in question, possibly the account/invoice # or any other information that will indicate this is a legitimate contact.
  • Confirm that intended recipient is at the indicated number. “Is —— at this number?” “We are looking to contact ——-”
  • Use the Odyssey blacklist, Do not message contacts if they opt-out of messages. Have language in you message to allow recipients to opt-out.
  • Only text contacts who consented (Opted in) to being messaged.

 

What not to do:

  • Do not, use of public URL softeners or links to questionable websites or domains that do not match your official website. These can appear as spam to many people receiving such messages.
  • Do not, use outdated customer databases where phone numbers could have new owners who did not opt in or are not the target of the content.
  • Certain phrases or style choices may set off spam filters. This can include ALL CAPS, Unicode characters (such as emoji’s) sent in large quantity.
  • Avoid using phrases such as “Exciting opportunity” or “Important Business Matter”. These can be used by spammers to grab attention and due to this are automatically flagged/blocked by many SMS service carriers.

Other things to note.

  • Some wireless providers may block A2P (Application to Person) messages from ten digit long code numbers.
  • Sending the same (or similar) messages from many numbers may cause a carrier blockage. If the content is flagged as spam by a carrier, it can affect any recipient using that carrier.