Preventing Your Calls & Texts from Being Marked as Spam

Preventing Your Calls & Texts from Being Marked as Spam

Best Practices for Recruiting & Sales Teams

In today’s environment, mobile carriers aggressively filter calls and text messages to protect consumers from spam and fraud. Unfortunately, legitimate business outreach — especially recruiting and sales — can sometimes get flagged.

Here are best practices to help reduce the risk of your number being marked as spam by carriers or blocked by the people you’re contacting.

Why Calls Get Marked as Spam

Carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile use automated analytics to identify potential spam calls. Calls may be flagged when:

  • High outbound call volume
  • Short call durations across many recipients
  • Low answer rates
  • High block/report rates
  • Numbers newly activated making high-volume outreach
  • Inconsistent branding or missing disclosures in SMS

Understand That Some Flagging Is Automated

Sometimes numbers are temporarily flagged even when everything is done correctly. This does not necessarily mean:

  • You did something wrong
  • The company is under investigation
  • Your number is permanently damaged

Spam labels can fluctuate based on carrier analytics.

 

 CALLING BEST PRACTICES

Pace Your Outbound Calls

Avoid rapid-fire dialing. Instead:

  • Space calls out throughout the day
  • Avoid calling hundreds of numbers in a short window
  • Mix call durations (avoid many <30 second hang-ups)

Carrier systems often flag “burst” call patterns.

Leave Clear, Professional Voicemails

When possible:

  • State your full name
  • State your company name
  • Provide a callback number
  • Briefly explain the purpose of your call

Example:

“Hi, this is [Name] with [Company]. I’m calling regarding an opportunity/application. Please feel free to call me back at…”

When recipients understand who you are, they’re less likely to block or report the number.

Don’t Repeatedly Call Unresponsive Numbers

Repeated attempts within a short timeframe increase complaint likelihood.

Recommended approach:

  • 1–2 attempts per day max
  • Vary call times
  • Move to email follow-up if no response

Keep Call Lists Clean

Remove:

  • Wrong numbers
  • Disconnected lines
  • Do-not-contact requests
  • Previously blocked numbers

High complaint rates directly impact number reputation.

SMS / TEXTING BEST PRACTICES

Only Text Opted-In Contacts

Carriers closely monitor unsolicited messaging.

Ensure:

  • The recipient has provided consent
  • The message relates to a prior interaction
  • There is a documented business relationship

Include Clear Identification

Always identify yourself and your company in the first message.

Good example:
“Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] with [Company Name]. I’m following up regarding your application.”

Avoid vague messages like:

  • “Hey”
  • “Call me”
  • “Are you available?”

Avoid Spam Trigger Language

Carriers flag certain patterns such as:

  • ALL CAPS
  • Excessive punctuation!!!
  • Urgency phrases like “Act now” or “Limited time”
  • Links without explanation

Always Include Opt-Out Language

Ensure compliance with approved SMS registration language such as:

  • “Reply STOP to opt out.”
  • “Reply HELP for assistance.”
  • “Message & data rates may apply.”

What Causes Carrier Spam Flags?

Common triggers include:

  • High outbound call volume
  • Short call durations across many recipients
  • Low answer rates
  • High block/report rates
  • Numbers newly activated making high-volume outreach
  • Inconsistent branding or missing disclosures in SMS

If Your Number Gets Flagged

If you suspect your number is marked as spam:

  1. Notify the Service Desk
  2. Provide:
    • Your phone number
    • Examples of error messages or screenshots
  3. We may register the number with our Number Verifier remediation tool. This can take 72-96 hours for processing.

The Bottom Line

Recruiting and sales outreach is essential to our business — but maintaining trust with carriers and candidates is important.

Following these best practices helps:

  • Protect your number reputation
  • Improve answer rates
  • Increase response rates
  • Maintain compliance

If you have questions about SMS compliance, or spam flag remediation, please contact the Service Desk.

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