How to Ensure Your 10DLC Number Gets Approved: Compliance Best Practices

Description:

Planning to register a 10DLC number for use with Sellify AI? Follow these best practices to maximize your approval chances and ensure compliance with U.S. carrier requirements for A2P 10DLC messaging.

Why Compliance Matters

When you register a 10DLC number for business SMS messaging, your Brand and Campaign must pass carrier review before your messages can be reliably delivered.

U.S. mobile carriers closely review 10DLC registrations to understand who is sending messages, why messages are being sent, and how recipients provided consent. This process exists to protect consumers from spam, fraud, and unwanted communications.

If your Brand or Campaign registration includes prohibited content, unclear opt-in practices, or inaccurate details, your campaign may be rejected or subject to message filtering.

Following these guidelines will give you the best chance of approval and long-term success with Sellify AI.

Best Practices to Maximize Your 10DLC Approval

To help ensure a smooth registration process, follow these key compliance best practices:

1. Obtain Clear Opt-In Before Sending Messages

Only message individuals who have explicitly agreed to receive your texts.

Opt-in can be collected through web forms, paper forms, in-person agreements, or email. It does not need to occur via SMS, but it must be clear and intentional.

Example:

“By checking this box, you agree to receive SMS messages from [Business Name]. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

Retain documentation or digital logs showing when and how a customer opted in.

2. Make Opt-Out Easy and Immediate

Include simple opt-out instructions in your messaging, such as:
“Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

Opt-out requests must be honored immediately, without requiring additional steps or confirmations.

3. Keep Opt-Out Rates Low

High opt-out rates are a red flag for carriers and can lead to message filtering or enforcement actions.

To keep opt-out rates low:

• Message only users who have clearly opted in

• Target relevant, engaged audiences

• Avoid aggressive or excessive messaging frequency

4. Use Branded, Shortened URLs

When including links, use a custom, branded URL shortener that belongs to your business.

Avoid public, shared URL shorteners such as bit.ly, tinyurl.com, or similar services. Carriers commonly block messages containing shared shortened links due to increased fraud risk.

Example of a branded link:
“sellifyai.link/offer” instead of “bit.ly/3x28kl0”

5. Avoid Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is the practice of sending the same or similar messages across multiple 10DLC numbers in an attempt to bypass volume limits or filtering.

Carriers actively monitor for this behavior and may block or suspend your campaigns.

If you legitimately need multiple 10DLC numbers (for example, managing different brands or business units), this should be clearly documented and disclosed during registration.

6. Follow Message Volume and Throughput Guidelines

10DLC campaigns have defined throughput and volume limits based on Brand verification and Campaign type.

If you expect to send higher volumes of messages, make sure your campaign is registered accurately and reflects your real usage. Do not attempt to exceed approved limits without updating your registration.

If your messaging needs change, contact Sellify AI Support to discuss next steps.

Disallowed or Non-Compliant Content

Certain types of content are prohibited or heavily restricted under U.S. carrier 10DLC policies. Sellify AI will not support campaigns involving risky or non-compliant content.

If your messaging relates to any of the following categories, your 10DLC registration will likely be rejected:

• High-risk financial services

• Loans, including payday, personal, or business loans

• Gambling, lotteries, or sweepstakes

• “Get rich quick” schemes

• SHAFT content (Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco)

• Fireworks promotions

• Cryptocurrency transactions or promotions

• Adult content, including escort services or sexually explicit advertising

• Drug-related content, including cannabis, CBD, vapes, or paraphernalia

• Personal or peer-to-peer messaging using a business number

If your business operates in any of these categories, you may need to explore alternative communication channels outside of 10DLC SMS.

Important Reminders for Sellify AI Customers

• Sellify AI can assist with 10DLC registration on your behalf. If you choose to handle registration yourself, you are responsible for completing Brand and Campaign registration through your SMS provider (such as Twilio) before using your number on the Sellify AI platform.

• Content compliance is your responsibility. Sellify AI can provide general guidance, but you must ensure your messaging complies with carrier requirements.

• Filtering can occur even after approval. If your messaging behavior changes or violates carrier policies, carriers may still filter or block your traffic.

Conclusion

Following these best practices helps ensure your 10DLC number and campaigns get approved, keeps your messaging compliant, and maintains strong deliverability with Sellify AI.