Replies to SMS messages not being received

If you have replied to a listener's message in Studio Inbox but realised they never received it, there are a few things to consider:

📱 Message length

SMS messages were invented in the 1980s, so they have some limitations compared to more modern messaging formats.

SMS messages are limited to 140 bytes, which equates to 160 GSM-encoded characters.

If you try to send a message longer than 160 characters, it may not be delivered.

🚫 Spam filters

Modern messaging apps include built-in spam filtering, where suspicious messages are screened to before the user ever sees them.

How spam messages are identified varies between devices/messaging apps/carriers, but here are some general tips for avoiding being flagged as spam:

• Is SMS the best way to share what you need to communicate? If you're letting a listener know they have won a contest, would it be better to call them to share the good news? (You may be able to record the call and use the audio on air)
• Choose your phrasing carefully. Consider which words or phrases spam messages would likely use and avoid them in genuine messages. "Congratulations! You've been selected as the winner..." etc. may be accurate, but it's also how a lot of malicious communications start, so it may be screened out.
• Personalize your replies. Avoid copying and pasting generic replies/messages. The same content sent repeatedly may be flagged as suspicious by carriers or our SMS provider, Vonage.

🤬 Restricted content

SMS messaging for Studio Inbox users in the USA is provided by Vonage, who have some restrictions on which types of content can be shared using their platform:

• High-risk financial services: Payday/cash advance loans, short-term loans (unless from a direct lender bank), auto loans, stock alerts, mortgage loans, student loans, debt collection (unless for a company sending a message), lead or commission generation, tax relief programs and cryptocurrencies.
• 'Get rich quick' schemes: Deceptive work-from-home programs, secret shopper ad campaigns, risk investment opportunities, multi-level affiliate marketing and gambling/sweepstakes.
• Third party: Debt collection or consolidation, debt relief or reduction, debt forgiveness, credit repair, lead generation, generic job alerts or brokers.
• Controlled substances: Tobacco, vaping, cannabis/CBD and illegal drugs.
• SHAFT: Sex, hate speech, alcohol, firearms, tobacco (and profanity).
• Scams: Phishing, fraud, spam and deceptive marketing.
• Charity: Giving donations.

While it may seem unlikely for a radio station to send listeners these kinds of messages, bear in mind that filters can intercept innocent messages, such as giving away tickets for a Guns N' Roses concert.