How to Improve SMS Deliverability in Sparkforge

Sparkforge tracks two numbers on every sub-account that sends SMS: the delivery error rate and the opt-out rate. When either crosses the line, outbound texts stop until the next UTC day. This article walks through the thresholds, the warning system, and the specific practices that keep your messages flowing.

The thresholds Sparkforge watches

• Violation email at 6% error rate or 2% opt-out rate. Treat this as a final warning.
• Temporary suspension at 10% error rate or 3% opt-out rate. All outbound SMS fails until 00:00 AM UTC the next day.
• A healthy account sits at 0–6% errors and 0–1% opt-outs.

What to do when you get a violation email

1. Pause every workflow, campaign, trigger, and bulk action targeting contacts who never explicitly opted in.
2. Turn on opt-out language and a Sender ID block on your outbound templates so future messages clear filters.
3. If a client or staff member is running cold prospecting blasts, stop them now. Cold SMS is the fastest way to a permanent suspension.

How to lower your error rate

Add opt-out and sender info to first messages

Every first SMS to a new contact should include both: who you are, and how to stop. Example: Hey, this is Mike at Northside HVAC. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Turn on Number Intelligence

Sparkforge looks up each number before sending and flags landlines or non-SMS-capable lines as DND, so you stop wasting sends on numbers that will never deliver.

Stop using public URL shorteners

Bit.ly and tinyurl.com are flagged across carriers. AT&T blocks them outright; T-Mobile blocks any message with multiple redirects. Use a branded short URL on your business domain and limit redirects to one. When character count allows, send the full URL.

Register your A2P 10DLC profile

For US numbers, register your business profile, A2P brand, and campaign in the Trust Center. Verification takes up to a week. International numbers don't require A2P but the same opt-in rules still help your delivery rate.

Web form opt-in best practices

• If the phone field is required, separate consent checkboxes for marketing vs. non-marketing messages.
• Consent boxes are never pre-checked, never required to submit the form.
• Link your privacy policy and terms in the footer.
• If the phone field is optional, no consent checkbox is needed for that field.

Getting a suspension lifted

A 24-hour temporary suspension lifts automatically at 00:01 AM UTC. Permanent suspensions require a support ticket — fix the underlying behavior first, then file the ticket with what you changed.

Carriers are getting stricter every quarter. Treat opt-in lists like a clean asset, not a target you can spray.