Carriers have spam/content filtering in place to prevent their customers from receiving unwanted messages. When a carrier detects a message as spam, they will stop the delivery to the recipient. Learn how carrier filtering works to prevent your text messages from being filtered.
How does carrier filtering work?
Each carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and services that use their networks) has a unique approach to filtering messages. Message filtering can range from a simple static list of prohibited terms to advanced machine learning systems that constantly adapt based on the messages passing through them.
How do I know my message was filtered?
When you are seeing the filtered status next to a text message accompanied with the text "The contact's mobile provider filtered your text before it could be delivered. Try rewording it before resending, and follow the link to read our texting best practices. (30007)" your message has been blocked due to Carrier Filtering.
How do I prevent messages from being filtered?
To prevent messages from being filtered, personalize the content that is sent to each contact. If the same text is being sent to multiple contacts in quick succession, you may be flagged as spam. Utilize merge fields and vary the content in each text per recipient.
Business Registration
Completing your Business Registration in Follow Up Boss verifies your identity with these carriers and proves that you're a legitimate business. This is a crucial step in preventing your messages from being filtered.
Text contacts expecting to hear from you
If it’s the first time messaging a lead that has opted-in to receive messages from you, identify who you are, what company you're reaching out from, and why you're messaging them. You'd also want to add “Reply STOP to Unsubscribe” at the end of that first message.
Note: Opt-in consent must be re-affirmed every 18 months if you have not established a relationship.
Personalize messages
Use Merge Fields in your texts/text templates to customize the message for the recipient. The more that can be used in a message will create more personalization. The more personalization the less likely it will be filtered.
Text frequency + Unresponsive
If you’ve sent a lead two messages and they haven’t responded, that should be viewed as an opt-out. Move these leads to the stage unresponsive/cold or add an unresponsive tag.
Texts should be brief and informative
The longer the message the higher chance it has to be filtered. Messages of more than 320 characters may be filtered for length. If using emojis, each emoji used counts as 80-90 characters. Shorten these messages and/or remove any emoji used and try again. Here’s a free character counter.
Remove text signatures
Texts should appear like a natural conversation. If a signature is at the end of a text like you would have at the end of an email, it can be filtered as spam.
Minimize attachments
Texts with attachments like pictures, emojis, videos, signatures, links, or vCards may be more likely to be filtered by carriers. Especially if it's the first text you're sending a message to the lead. Remove the attachment and try sending the text again.
Avoid being reported by spam
Anyone and any carrier can label your number as spam. To avoid being marked as spam avoid:
- Spam words that make exaggerated claims and promises (100%, extra cash, free info, risk-free, etc.).
- Spam words that create unnecessary urgency and pressure (apply now, call today, exclusive deal, what are you waiting for?).
- Texts containing spammy language/capitalization (no cost, credit check, no fees, no interest, FREE, CALL NOW).
- Words/symbols that are financial or legalese (Loans, Mortgage rates, offer, pre-approved, refinance, credit score, $).
To view filtered text messages within FUB, check out Text Reporting.
FAQs
- Try sending the original link via text vs a shortened link.
- If Google Drive hosts the link, try hosting the content on a different platform, like YouTube or Dropbox.
- Wait and try to text the contact again. Sometimes waiting a couple of minutes impacts the outcome of whether a text is delivered.
- Text the contact and tell them they will follow up with an email, including the link, rather than sending via text.
If a short or simple message is filtered, this indicates that the lead's mobile carrier has filtered all messages sent to numbers on their network for a period of time, typically 1-3 days.