Text message content filtering
Simple Downline does not block messages based on specific words or phrases. There's no banned word list in the app. However, your messages still pass through carrier and Twilio filters before reaching your contacts.
How message filtering actually works
When you send a text through Simple Downline:
- Your message leaves Simple Downline's servers
- It goes to Twilio (our SMS provider)
- Twilio sends it to the recipient's phone carrier
- The carrier may deliver it to their phone or report a failure
Both Twilio and phone carriers have their own content policies. They may filter or block messages that look like spam, contain prohibited content, or violate their terms of service.
What can cause messages to be blocked
Carriers and Twilio may block or filter messages for:
- Spam-like patterns — sending the same message to many people very quickly
- Prohibited content — things like illegal offers, certain financial solicitations, or adult content
- Phishing-looking content — links that look suspicious or deceptive
- Carrier-specific rules — each carrier has their own policies
The specific rules vary by carrier and are not public, so there's no definitive list of "banned words."
What this means for you
- Write naturally. Conversational messages that sound like they're from a real person tend to get through.
- Avoid link shorteners. Some carriers are suspicious of shortened URLs. Use full links when possible.
- Don't blast identical messages. Sending the exact same text to hundreds of people at once can look like spam.
If a text does not arrive, check its status in More → Sends. A failed or rejected status alone does not prove content filtering: an invalid or unreachable number, opt-out, registration, or another provider error can also stop a message. Contact support with the campaign, date, and recipient if you need help identifying the cause.