Tag: SPAM

Increase the deliverability of your text messages

One of the biggest challenges in using text messaging for business purposes is to increase the deliverability of messages.

Here are some tips to ensure the deliverability of your text messages, all in complying by the Acceptable Use Policy rules.

Increase the deliverability of your text messages

Here are some common things you can do that your messages are delivered and read:

  1. Get permission from your recipients. You can include an opt-in message on your website, social media channels, or even in-store.
  2. Keep your message short and to the point. Avoid using jargon or complicated language.
  3. Personalize your messages using aNinja’s template variables. Use the recipient’s name or other relevant information to make your message more personal.
  4. Use recognizable sender name: Ensure that your messages clearly identify who is sending the message. Avoid using shortcodes or numbers as your sender name, as this can appear spammy.
  5. Send your messages at an appropriate time, taking into account the recipient’s time zone and daily schedule. Define the sending time in aNinja’ settings.
  6. Inform your recipients how they can opt-out of receiving any future emails.
    1. Ultimately, add an unsubscribe link to your tests. Basically, the initial message needs to include the following language: Reply STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, or QUIT.
  7. Also, honor opt-out requests: send an automated reply through aNinja triggers.
  8. Additionally, you can segment your recipient list to improve the relevance of your messages. Send targeted messages to specific groups of recipients based on their interests or behaviors.
  9. High key messaging metrics: A high delivery error rate. It indicates you may be attempting to contact numbers that are no longer in service, or are unreachable such as landlines; and/or external carrier filters are refusing to deliver your messages.
  10. Also, you can provide us with your business address; there is an additional verification process (A2P) that we can set up that helps reduce the chances of the carrier systems flagging your text as spam; as long as you follow the above. Reach us at support@aninja.com.
Text Content

Review your text template content to adhere to the messaging policy:

    1. Include Sender identification
    2. And an opt-out language
    3. Also, try and use multi-step sequences to engage customers.
    4. Avoid using spam trigger words such as “free”, “guarantee”, “limited time offer”, and “act now”. Instead, use clear and concise language that accurately conveys your message.
    5. And, don’t overuse abbreviations and emojis. They can be a red flag for spam filters.
    6. Lastly, avoid anything that is illegal or Forbidden:
      • Prescription Medication. Offers for prescription medication that cannot legally be sold over-the-counter are prohibited in the United States.
      • Illegal substances such as Cannabis, CBD, Puff
      • Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, Tobaco, and Vaping-related.
      • Gambling.
      • Fraudulent messages.
      • Malicious content, such as malware or viruses.
      • Any content that is designed to intentionally evade filters.

aNinja is forced to comply and temporarily block your text sending capability if it is being flagged as spammy by upstream carriers. Make sure to comply with all the above practices to avoid the carriers filters flagging your texts as spam.

Text template examples

These templates should serve as a starting point, and you should customize them to fit your business needs and communication style and increase deliverability of your messages.

Promotional message:

“Hello {{Contact.name}}, we’re offering a limited-time discount of 20% on all our products. Use code XXXX at checkout. Offer ends [date]. Reply STOP to opt-out.”

New product launch:

“Hey {{Contact.name}}, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new [product]. Get yours now and receive a 10% discount using code NEW10 at checkout. Reply STOP to opt-out.”

Limited-time offer:

“Hello {{Contact.name}}, our [product/service] is now available at a discounted price of [price]. This offer ends [date]. Don’t miss out! Reply STOP to opt-out.”

Flash sale

“Hi {{Contact.name}}, for the next 24 hours only, we’re offering a 15% discount on all our products. Use code FLASH15 at checkout. Hurry, this sale ends soon! Reply STOP to opt-out.”

Referral program

“Hey {{Contact.name}}, refer a friend and receive a $20 credit towards your next purchase. Your friend will receive a 10% discount on their first order. Share the love! Reply STOP to opt-out.”

Seasonal promotion

“Hello {{Contact.name}}, get into the holiday spirit with our festive [product/service]. Enjoy a 20% discount using code HOLIDAY20 at checkout. Happy holidays! Reply STOP to opt-out.”

 

Relevant articles:

A few things you want to consider before sending out texts

Avoid your messages being marked as spam

Manage the “Do Not Contact” lists

You can manage the “Do Not Contact” lists to view the contacts, remove them from the lists, and even export those contacts into a CSV file.

Marking leads as Do Not Contact

You may mark leads as Do Not Contact to honor their request to opt-out from receiving your automation; or simply because you don’t intend to message them anymore.

This is a useful practice that avoid your texts / emails from being marked as spam.

Managing the “Do Not Contact” lists

  • On the left sidebar, click on Settings > Do Not Contact Lists

In this view, you can:

  • See all the contact items (text / email) marked as “Do Not Contact”
  • Filter the view by text or email
  • See the Date they were marked
  • And, the User who marked them
  • Export the results as CSV
Filter the results

You can filter the results to appear by:

  • Emails marked as Do Not Contact

  • Phone Numbers marked as Do Not Contact

Manage the "Do Not Contact" Lists

  • And by the User who marked the contact item

Remove a contact from the Do Not Contact List

To remove a contact item from the do Not Contact List, under Actions, click on remove. And OK to confirm.

Automatically, the contact item (phone number or email) will be removed from the list. And the Stop button turns back to black in the lead view next to this contact item.

Export results as CSV

To export the results into a CSV file, click on Export CSV

The list is saved in your documents.

The fields exported are:

  • The ID of the record
  • The Email or Text according to the selected filter
  • The Date Marked on
  • The ID of the User who marked it
  • And the user’s full name

Avoid texts being marked as SPAM

When messages are flagged as spam, they are either filtered into the recipient’s spam folder or blocked altogether.

In this article, we discuss practices to increase your text deliverability, protect your reputation, and avoid potentially having your account blocked/suspended and texts being marked as SPAM.

Practices that avoid your texts being marked as spam

Here are some common things you can do to reduce the chance that the carriers filters flag your texts as spam:

  1. Definitely, you want to make sure you’re using opt-in lists. (carriers use software to detect leaked / non-opt-in lists). In simple words, an opt-in list is a list of your customers who willingly give you permission to text them.
  2. Sender Identification: Ensure that your messages clearly identify who is sending the message.
  3.  An opt-out language: Inform your recipients how they can opt-out of receiving any future emails: Ultimately, add an unsubscribe link to your emails. Basically, the initial message needs to include the following language: Reply STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, or QUIT.
  4. Also, honor opt-out requests: send an automated reply through aNinja triggers.
  5. High key messaging metrics: A high delivery error rate. It indicates you may be attempting to contact numbers that are no longer in service, or are unreachable such as landlines; and/or external carrier filters are refusing to deliver your messages.
  6. Also, you can provide us with your business address; there is an additional verification process (A2P). We can set it up and it helps reducing chances of carrier systems flagging your text as spam; as long as you follow the above. Reach out at support@aninja.com.
Text Content

Review your text template content to adhere to the messaging policy:

  1. Firstly, include Sender identification
  2. Secondly, add an opt-out language
  3. Thirdly, try and use multi-step sequences to engage customers.
  4. Fourthly, avoid using spam trigger words such as “free”, “guarantee”, “limited time offer”, and “act now”. Instead, use clear and concise language that accurately conveys your message.
  5. And, don’t overuse abbreviations and emojis. They can be a red flag for spam filters.
  6. Lastly, avoid anything that is illegal or forbidden:
    • Prescription Medication. Offers for prescription medication that cannot legally be sold over-the-counter are prohibited in the United States.
    • Illegal substances such as Cannabis, CBD (puff, gummies, vape, delta, etc…)
    • Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, Tobaco, and Vaping-related.
    • Gambling.
    • Fraudulent messages.
    • Malicious content, such as malware or viruses.
    • Any content that is designed to intentionally evade filters.

aNinja is forced to comply and temporarily block your text sending capability if it is being flagged as spammy by upstream carriers. Make sure to comply with all the above practices to avoid the carriers filters flagging your texts as spam.

Text template examples

These templates should serve as a starting point, and you should customize them to fit your business needs and communication style.

Promotional message:

“Hello {{Contact.name}}, this is {{User.firstname}}. We’re offering a limited-time discount of 20% on all our products. Use code XXXX at checkout. Offer ends [date]. Reply STOP to opt-out.”

New product launch:

“Hey {{Contact.name}}, this is {{User.firstname}}. We’re excited to announce the launch of our new [product]. Get yours now and receive a 10% discount using code NEW10 at checkout. Reply STOP to opt-out.”

Limited-time offer:

“Hello {{Contact.name}}, our [product/service] is now available at a discounted price of [price]. This offer ends [date]. Don’t miss out! Reply STOP to opt-out.”

Flash sale

“Hi {{Contact.name}}, for the next 24 hours only, we’re offering a 15% discount on all our products. Use code FLASH15 at checkout. Hurry, this sale ends soon! Reply STOP to opt-out.”

Referral program

“Hey {{Contact.name}}, refer a friend and receive a $20 credit towards your next purchase. Your friend will receive a 10% discount on their first order. Share the love! Reply STOP to opt-out.”

Seasonal promotion

“Hello {{Contact.name}}, get into the holiday spirit with our festive [product/service]. Enjoy a 20% discount using code HOLIDAY20 at checkout. Happy holidays! Reply STOP to opt-out.”

 

Relevant articles:

A few things you want to consider before sending out texts

Forbidden message categories for SMS

Avoid emails being marked as SPAM

Learn how to avoid your emails being marked as SPAM. Follow the below practices to increase your email deliverability and protect your reputation.

Practices that avoid your emails being marked as spam

You surely want to ensure your email deliverability and protect your reputation. However, depending on the receiver’s settings, your legitimate messages can get marked as junk quite easily. It’s not a server or hosting issue, it’s just a common problem in the digital age.

Here are some common things you can do to help avoid spam filter flagging your emails:

  • When preparing your email template in aNinja, make sure it doesn’t have in the subject line or email body any of the following:
    • Crazy formatting
    • ALL CAPS
    • A lot of exclamation points !!!
    • Phishing phrases and trigger words like Fantastic deal, For free, Act now, don’t hesitate.
    • Also, avoid image-only messages.
  • Let the recipients know who you are and where you’re located: add a signature to your emails.
  • Inform your recipients how they can opt-out of receiving any future emails: add an unsubscribe link to your emails.
  • Honor opt-out requests: send an automated reply through aNinja triggers.
  • Use SendGrid to send a large number of email sequences through aNinja without limitations and without worrying about spam filters marking your messages as spam.
  • Test your email for SPAM Score
  • Ensure that you’re Compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act
  • Ask your clients to whitelist your domain.
  • Lastly, ensure your email authentication is enabled:
What are SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
  • SPF: Sender Policy Framework records allow domain owners to publish a list of IP addresses or subnets that are authorized to send emails on their behalf. Mainly, the goal is to reduce the amount of spam and fraud by making it much harder for malicious senders to disguise their identities.
  • DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) standard is an email authentication technology that verifies a message was sent from a legitimate user of an email address. Basically, it’s a way to additionally sign your emails in a way that will allow the recipient’s server to check if the sender was really you or not.
  • Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC) is an email authentication method that allows you to protect your email domain from spoofing.

Make sure to comply with all the above practices to avoid the spam filters flagging your emails.

Text messages not going out

If your text messages are not going out, they might have been blocked by third-party telephony carriers. We recommend at least waiting a day before re-launching to allow for the queue to flush.

Why text messages are not going out

  • Our upstream telephony provider and third-party carriers that texts get routed to, might be flagging your messages as Spam/Phising/ etc… displaying the following error messages like:
    “Your message content was flagged as going against carrier guidelines.”
  • Another thing is that your message could have been identified as spam or unwanted messaging by the message filtering system due to people flagging it as spam. 
  • And/or the rate at which the messages are also being sent out.
  • It also could be that your text content could have triggered off this error.

Here are a few things that we recommend

Sometimes, aNinja is forced to comply and temporarily block your SMS sending capability until we add more remediation steps.

  1. Make sure you’re using opt-in lists (carriers use software to detect leaked / non-opt-in lists).  An opt-in list is a list of your customers who willingly give you permission to text them.
  2. Sender Identification: Ensure that your messages clearly identify who is sending the message
  3.  An opt-out language: The initial message that you send to an individual needs to include the following language: “Reply STOP to unsubscribe,” or the equivalent using another standard opt-out keyword, such as STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, and QUIT.
  4. High key messaging metrics: A high delivery error rate, which indicates you may be attempting to contact numbers that are no longer in service, or are unreachable, such as landlines and/or external carrier filters are refusing to deliver your messages.
  5. Review your template content:
    1. To includes Sender identification
    2. And an opt-out language
    3. Try and use multi-step sequences to engage customers.
    4. Also, there are few things you want to consider before sending out texts.
  6. Lastly, you can provide us with your business address; there is an additional verification process (A2P) that we can set up that helps reduce the chances of being flagged by carrier systems as long as the above is being applied. Reach us at support@aninja.com.

SPAM risk caller ID

SPAM risk caller ID

Your customers might see calls from your number displayed as “SPAM likely” or “SPAM risk” or “SCAM likely” on their caller ID. While each phone carrier keeps a list of numbers they determine to be spam risks based on the history of the number; scam ID technologies might incorrectly mark your number.

What causes the SCAM/SPAM designation

Here are the most obvious reasons for designation:

  1. The volume of Outbound Calls Per Day Per Number
  2. Or, someone flagged a call from your number in that carrier’s app as spam
  3. Or, it could be your system didn’t correctly set the Outbound Caller ID number

What’s the back story

In response to the growing number of scam calls to mobile phones; many carriers have created tools to identify and block scam calls. Unfortunately, these tools aren’t perfect. And sometimes businesses may have their numbers incorrectly marked by scam ID technology, particularly when calling cell numbers.

Each carrier has a feature or app. And it is automatically enabled on mobile devices. So, when someone calls one of these devices, the carrier checks the number against its database of reported scam numbers. If the source matches a reported scam number, directly, the person being called sees a message that says “Scam Likely” alongside standard caller ID. 

However, the Scam Likely Caller ID features will sometimes mark legitimate calls incorrectly; because some people may report your number without answering the phone. If this happens enough, as a result, your number will be marked Scam Likely.

To reduce the chances that a scam ID flag your number, you want to register your number at Free Caller Registry.

Registering your number at Free Caller Registry

You can register your number at Free Caller Registry by following these links:

https://www.freecallerregistry.com/fcr/

This helps register/white-list your numbers with the major carriers. It also reduces the chances of them being flagged. Moreover, all numbers and information provided will be shared with all Carrier Spam Monitoring Partners.

Request to remove your number from the SPAM/SCAM designation

You can use the links or email addresses below to register legitimate numbers and also address any incorrect labeling or call blocking with other carriers:

AT&T:

https://hiyahelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=824667

Sprint, Verizon, U.S. Cellular:

https://reportarobocall.com

Comcast, Charter, Cox, Altice, and other fixed line (VoIP) providers, email Nomorobo for call blocking services:

reports@nomorobo.com

Test your email for spam score

To ensure the deliverability of your emails, aNinja recommends you test your email for spam score before sending it.sending email aninja

Sending emails

Sending emails whether from aNinja or from outside is an easy thing to do. You just fill in the recipient, type the content of the email or use a template, and hit send. It’s something that you do frequently on daily basis. And it is an efficient way to communicate with your leads. But did you ever think that the Spam filters would block your emails?

aNinja uses your email server to deliver your email. But how can you ensure the delivery of your emails without being caught by a spam filter?

Avoiding emails from being flagged as Spam

To help you avoid your emails being flagged as spam, make sure the content of your email or the template you’re using doesn’t have things like all caps or a lot of special and repeated characters in the subject or the email body.

While special characters can increase the open rate of your emails, they still can affect their delivery.

Testing your email for Spam score

To test your emails for spam score, use third-party email testing software like https://www.mail-tester.com/. This way, you ensure that your emails are going to be delivered to your prospects.

Troubles in sending Bulk Email Sequences

If you overpass the daily limit of your email provider, you will face troubles in sending bulk email sequences

Ech email provider imposes a daily email sending limit.

Having troubles sending your email sequences

You might need to check the following:

Still unable to re-launch your email sequences

For a large number of daily emails, we highly recommend you process your run through our transactional email processor SendGrid. You can enable it directly from your aNinja account > Settings > Global Settings.

Or send us an email at support@aninja.com. We’re happy to assist you.

Transactional vs Non-Transactional Emails

While transactional and non-transactional emails have different goals and strategies, you still need to integrate both types.

In this article, we show you the difference between the 2 types of emails and the risks involved.

We also recommend using Sendgrid to ensure the deliverability of your messages.

Transactional vs Non-Transactional Emails

Transactional email

It is an email triggered based on your lead’s action with your business, and it’s sent programmatically.

It can be Purchase confirmation or receipt, Request for feedback, Identity verification, Unsubscribe link, Password reset, Account notifications, Account creation, Welcome email, etc…

Transactional vs non-transactional emails

Non-Transactional email

It’s about sending an email to communicate a promotional message (i.g. Promotions and sales, Newsletters) to a group of leads; with the intention to drive them towards an action you want them to make. The purpose is typically commercial.

However, non-transactional emails tend to have a much lower engagement rate. Which can impact deliverability. You don’t want this to slow down transactional emails or risk them landing in the spam folder. Learn how to avoid your emails being marked as spam.

You can send non-transactional emails through your email client who uses an SMTP relay or web API. But it’s preferable to use a comprehensive email marketing solution like SendGrid. SendGrid can help deliver your messages, no matter what kind of content you’re sending.