SMS campaign registration for disallowed content

Overview

This article helps 8x8 Work admins and users in the US and Canada resolve rejected SMS campaigns. While most disallowed content rejections are final, age-restricted categories (alcohol, tobacco, vaping) may be resubmitted if a compliant age gate is implemented.

Applies to

8x8 Administrators and users within the United States and Canada dealing with SMS campaign rejections due to restricted content.

How to use this guide

When your campaign is rejected, you'll receive a category and a reason. Find your category below and follow the steps. Each section includes example messages showing what is and isn't allowed.

Can resubmit: Fix the issue and send your campaign back for review.

Cannot resubmit: The content type is permanently banned. Do not resubmit.

High-Risk Financial Services

Steps

1. Stop sending this campaign. Do not resubmit as it will be rejected again.

2. Check if your business falls into a prohibited category. If so, standard 10DLC/Toll-Free SMS is not available to you.

3. If you were flagged incorrectly, for example you offer standard mortgages, not payday loans, contact Sinch support with business documentation. Non-promotional account alerts may be allowed with express written consent.

4. For purely transactional messages, such as loan balance updates, contact Sinch support to ask about a special approval path.

Note

Businesses focused exclusively on cryptocurrency or stock trading are only allowed to send SMS messages for two-factor authentication (2FA). No promotional content is permitted.

Sample messages

BAD (would be rejected): 

• "Get cash fast! Apply for a $500 payday loan today — approval in 10 min. Reply YES to apply. Text STOP to opt out."

• "Crypto Alert: BTC just dropped 8%! Buy the dip now at CoinFast. Go to coinfast.io. Reply STOP to unsubscribe."

ALLOWED (first-party account alert, non-promotional, with consent):

• "First National Bank: Your account ending in 4821 has a payment due of $320 on June 5. Log in at fnb.com to pay. Msg&Data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out."

• "LoanCo: Your monthly statement is ready. View at loanco.com/account. Questions? Call 1-800-555-0100. Reply STOP to stop."

Get Rich Quick Schemes & Deceptive Marketing

Steps

1. Remove any language promising guaranteed income, financial freedom, or easy money.

2. Remove references to work-from-home opportunities, downlines, or MLM recruitment.

3. If you run an MLM, limit messages to transactional content (order confirmations, shipping updates), not recruitment or income promotions.

4. Rewrite messages to be factual and specific. Focus on what your product does, not income claims.

Note

Even if your business is legitimate, phrases like 'earn from home', 'passive income', 'financial freedom' or 'be your own boss' in a text message will likely trigger a rejection.

Sample messages

BAD (Would be rejected):

• "Make $3,000/week from home! No experience needed. Join our team today — limited spots! Text JOIN to 55555."

• "OPPORTUNITY: Work 2 hrs a day, earn full-time income. DM us or visit earnfast.biz. Reply STOP to opt out."

ALLOWED (legitimate product/service, specific and factual):

• "HerbaLife Orders: Your order #4821 has shipped and will arrive by June 3. Track at hl.com/track. Reply STOP to unsubscribe."

• "Avon: Your June catalog is live! Browse new arrivals at avon.com/june. Msg freq: 4x/mo. Reply STOP to opt out."

Illegal Substances

Steps

1. Do not resubmit. This rejection applies regardless of state-level legality.

2. This ban covers all message types, including 2FA codes, order confirmations, and appointment reminders.

3. If CBD is a small part of a larger product line, contact Sinch support, a narrow exception may apply with carrier approval.

4. Switch to alternative channels: email, push notifications, or in-app messaging.

Note

This is one of the strictest bans in U.S. messaging policy. There is no workaround, no carrier exception for most cases, and no resubmission path. Plan for alternative channels.

Sample messages

BAD (would be rejected): 

• "Green Leaf Dispensary: Your order is ready for pickup! Show this text for 10% off your next visit. Reply STOP to stop."

• "CBD Relief: Try our new hemp oil drops — 30% off this week only. Shop at cbdrelief.com. Reply STOP to opt out."

• "KratomKing: New red vein stock just arrived. Order now at kratomking.com. Reply STOP to unsubscribe."

No approved SMS path exists for cannabis/CBD businesses in standard A2P channels.

• Consider: Email marketing, in-app notifications, or direct mail for customer communications.

Gambling & Raffles

Steps

1. Stop the campaign immediately and do not resubmit.

2. Nonprofit and charity raffles still fall under this ban. Contact Sinch to ask about a nonprofit bingo exemption.

3. Sweepstakes with no purchase required may qualify under a separate 'Sweepstakes' use case. Paid-entry raffles do not.

4. Sports scores, news, or fan engagement (no betting) may be approved. Remove all references to wagering or prize entry fees.

Note

A raffle is considered gambling by carriers even if it's for charity. Community bingo is the one narrow exception: and only on an approved Short Code, not 10DLC or Toll-Free.

Sample messages

BAD (would be rejected): 

• "Win a car! Buy raffle tickets at $10 each — drawing June 30. Get yours at rafflewin.com. Reply STOP to opt out."

• "BetSports: NFL odds are live. Place your bets now at betsports.com. 18+ only. Reply STOP to unsubscribe."

• "Lucky Draw: You've been selected to enter our $5,000 prize draw. Click here to claim your entry. Reply STOP to stop."

ALLOWED (sweepstakes — no purchase necessary):

• "SunBurst Coffee: Enter our summer sweepstakes — no purchase needed! Win a $500 gift card. Enter at sunburst.com/win by June 30. Msg&Data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out."

ALLOWED (fan engagement, no betting):

• "NFL FanZone: Your team plays tonight at 7 PM ET! Get game-day updates at nflfanzone.com. Reply STOP to unsubscribe."

SHAFT: Sex, Hate Speech and Profanity

Steps

1. Do not resubmit. This type of content is permanently barred from all carrier networks.

2. Review your messages, website, and call-to-action for explicit, discriminatory, or profane language.

3. Adult entertainment businesses cannot use SMS marketing. Use platforms designed for adult content.

4. Non-explicit dating apps may be approved. Reframe the campaign around app features, not content.

Note

Even suggestive language (not just explicit content) can trigger this rejection. If your message has sexual undertones or uses slurs in any context, it will be flagged.

Sample messages

BAD (would be rejected): 

• "HotDates: Sexy singles in your area are waiting. Join free tonight at hotdates.com. Reply STOP to stop."

•  "Adult Pass: Your premium content subscription is active. Visit adultpass.com now. Reply STOP to opt out."

ALLOWED (clean dating app): 

• "Hinge: You have 3 new matches waiting for you! Open the app to connect. Download at hinge.co. Msg freq: varies. Reply STOP to unsubscribe."

• "Bumble: Someone liked your profile! Log in to see who. Msg&Data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out."

SHAFT: Alcohol, Tobacco, Vaping and Firearms

Steps

1. Add a date-of-birth entry form to your opt-in page. Users must enter day, month, and year.

2. Confirm the system actually blocks underage users. A checkbox stating 'I am 21+' is not sufficient.

3. Once your age gate is live, take a screenshot of it or confirm the URL is accessible.

4. Update your campaign registration to include the age gate URL or screenshot, then resubmit.

5. Tobacco and vaping are not allowed on Toll-Free numbers even with an age gate. Use Short Code or 10DLC. Firearms messaging is prohibited on all number types except limited parts messaging on 10DLC.

6. In Canada, age-restricted content requires a carrier exemption regardless of age gate. Contact Sinch before registering.

Note

Firearm promotions are NOT allowed on Short Code or Toll-Free under any circumstances. Only firearm 'parts' (accessories, not weapons themselves) may be allowed on 10DLC with approval.

Sample messages

BAD (no age gate): 

• "BrewCo: Our summer IPA is back! Order a 6-pack at brewco.com/shop. Reply STOP to opt out."

• "VapeCloud: New mango flavor just dropped — 20% off all week. Shop at vapecloud.com. Reply STOP to stop."

ALLOWED (alcohol, Short Code, age gate confirmed at opt-in):

• "BrewCo Alerts [SC]: Your summer seasonal pack ships tomorrow! Track at brewco.com/orders. 21+ only. Msg&Data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out."

Age gate opt-in page must look like this (example language):

• "Please enter your date of birth to verify your age:  [ MM ] / [ DD ] / [ YYYY ]"

• "You must be 21 or older to receive messages from BrewCo. By continuing, you agree to our Terms & Privacy Policy."

Phishing, Fraud & Deceptive Marketing

Steps

1. Do not resubmit. If your campaign was genuinely deceptive, it cannot be approved.

2. If you believe this was a false positive, contact Sinch support with documentation of your business, opt-in source, and message purpose.

3. Check that your messages clearly identify who you are: your registered brand name must appear in every message.

4. Remove fake urgency language (e.g., 'Your account will be closed in 24 hours!') that could be mistaken for phishing.

5. Never use public URL shorteners (bit.ly, TinyURL). Use branded short domains instead (e.g., go.yourbrand.com).

Note

If your message tells users their account has been 'compromised' or there is an 'urgent security issue': make absolutely sure it's real, comes from your verified brand, and has a visible branded URL. Faking security alerts is one of the most common phishing patterns.

Sample messages

BAD (would be rejected for phishing): 

• "ALERT: Your bank account has been locked. Click here immediately to restore access: bit.ly/bank-alert"

• "Congratulations! You've been selected for a $1,000 Walmart gift card. Claim now: freewin22.net"

ALLOWED: 

• "Chase Bank: We noticed a sign-in from a new device. If this wasn't you, call 1-800-935-9935 or visit chase.com/secure. Msg&Data rates may apply. Reply STOP to stop."

• "ShopNow: Order #8820 shipped! Track at shopnow.com/track/8820. Questions? Email help@shopnow.com. Reply STOP to opt out."

Lead Generation, Affiliate Marketing and Third-Party Debt Services

Steps

1. Do not resubmit this campaign. Third-party lead generation is permanently prohibited.

2. Confirm you're messaging on behalf of your own business. Sending on behalf of another company is not allowed.

3. Review your privacy policy. If it mentions selling or sharing opt-in data with partners or affiliates, remove that language — your campaign will be rejected.

4. For debt-related messages, only the company directly owed the debt can send. Third-party collectors, consolidators, and credit repair services are not permitted.

5. If you're the primary brand and just need to update your policy language, contact Sinch support for guidance.

Note

Political campaigns are specifically called out: voter registration databases cannot be used to collect consent. You must have a direct, first-party opt-in from each individual you text.

Sample messages

BAD (would be rejected): 

• "DebtFree.org: We can reduce your debt by 50%! Talk to a specialist now — call 1-888-DEBT-NOW or text HELP to 77777."

• "QuoteHub: Compare insurance quotes from 20+ carriers! Enter your info at quotehub.com — agents will call you. Reply STOP to stop."

ALLOWED (first-party, direct relationship, own debt): 

• "City Medical Center: You have an outstanding balance of $180 for your March 14 visit. Pay online at citymedical.com/pay or call 555-200-0100. Reply STOP to opt out."

• "GreenPath Insurance: Your renewal quote is ready. Log in at greenpath.com/account to review. Msg freq: as needed. Reply STOP to unsubscribe."

Third-Party Job Boards

Steps

1. Do not resubmit if you are a job board or staffing aggregator posting jobs for other companies.

2. If your company is the actual employer, you can register as the hiring brand. The brand name in your registration must match the company offering the job.

3. Remove any language referencing jobs posted on behalf of multiple unrelated employers.

4. If you're a staffing agency, the client company (the actual employer) must be the registered brand — not the agency.

Note

The key test: Is YOUR company the one offering the job? If yes, you may be able to run this campaign. If you are aggregating or posting on behalf of others, it is not allowed.

Sample messages

BAD (would be rejected – third-party job board): 

• "JobsNow: 500+ new jobs posted today! Find warehouse, retail & driving roles near you. Browse at jobsnow.com. Reply STOP to opt out."

• "StaffPro: We're matching candidates to jobs at Amazon, Target & FedEx. Apply now at staffpro.com. Reply STOP to stop."

ALLOWED (direct employer, own job opening): 

• "Target Hiring: We're hiring part-time store associates at our Austin, TX location. Apply by June 15 at target.com/careers. Msg&Data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out."

• "City Hospital HR: Thank you for applying! Your interview is confirmed for June 3 at 10 AM. Reply CONFIRM or call 555-300-4400. Reply STOP to stop msgs."

Quick Reference: Can I Resubmit?

Source: Sinch Community: A2P Messaging in the US & Canada: Disallowed Content | sinch.com | For questions, contact Sinch Support.