Overview
If you received this message when attempting to send an SMS message:
- “This message was not delivered due to content that may violate SMS Campaign Registry compliance standards. To help keep your campaign active and in good standing, please review and adjust your message per the compliance guidelines.”
Please read the information below to understand why your message may have been blocked, and how to resolve the issue.
Applies To
- SMS
- The Campaign Registry
- Blocked Content
What You Need to Know
Your recent SMS was blocked to help keep your campaign in good standing under The Campaign Registry (TCR) and carrier compliance requirements. Mobile networks use strict filters to protect consumers, and certain message types are disallowed, even with opt-in.
Restricted Content Categories (S.H.A.F.T.)
Messages that contain any of the following topics are likely to be blocked by carriers:
- Sexual content
- Hate speech or discriminatory language
- Alcohol-related promotions
- Firearms, ammunition, or weapon sales
- Tobacco or vaping-related content
 |
Important:
Cannabis-related messaging, including marijuana, THC, hemp, and CBD, is strictly prohibited in the U.S., regardless of local legality. This includes medicinal or non-psychoactive cannabis-related content. |
Additional Inappropriate Use Cases
Some types of traffic generate a high volume of consumer complaints and are routinely blocked by carriers, regardless of customer opt-in.
If your message fits one of these categories, it may be blocked automatically to protect your campaign and prevent service disruptions.
| Category | Examples | Why It’s Blocked |
| High-Risk Financial Services |
Payday loans, short-term loans, crypto tips |
Carriers prohibit financial offers not originating from the servicing entity |
| Lead Gen or Affiliate Offers |
Sharing or reselling consumer data |
Only the business that obtained consent may message the customer |
| Debt Relief or Credit Repair |
Third-party collection, forgiveness programs |
Third parties cannot message consumers about resolving debt |
| Get-Rich-Quick or MLM |
Investment schemes, work-from-home pitches |
Often linked to spam, fraud, or deceptive practices |
|
Illegal/Controlled Substances |
Marijuana, CBD, prescriptions, vaping |
Forbidden due to federal law and carrier policies |
|
Gambling |
Online betting, casino apps |
Allowed only with strong age-gating and carrier approval |
|
Job Boards |
Third-party job listings | Only the hiring brand can message; boards are blocked |
What You Can Do
- Check your message content against the restricted list above.
- Edit or remove flagged language, especially around sensitive industries.
- Resend only if your message no longer contains prohibited terms.
Restricted content filtering is performed on a per-message basis, so if a message is rejected, users can immediately resend it without the blocked word.
If you’re unsure about compliance or next steps, please Create a Case with 8x8 Support and include the blocked message content so that our Support team can review it and help to guide you.
More Resources
For detailed SMS compliance requirements, visit our knowledge base article: SMS Campaign Registration: SMS Usage and Content Policies.