Understanding Why Your Phone Number Gets Marked as Spam and How to Fix It for Better Prospect Conversations

Have you ever found yourself puzzled because your outreach efforts are being thwarted by your phone number being marked as "spam likely"? As frustrating as it is, this is a common issue many businesses face, especially those relying heavily on phone calls for lead generation, customer service, or sales. In this blog, we'll dive into why your phone number might be flagged as spam and provide you with a step-by-step guide to fix this issue, ensuring your call connect rates don't plummet.

Why Does a Phone Number Become "Spam Likely"?

The journey begins the moment you acquire a new phone number for your business, perhaps through popular providers like Twilio or Vonage. What's crucial to understand is that these numbers are often recycled. That is, they've been used by someone else before you. This previous usage history can sometimes leave a bit of digital baggage - if the number was misused or flagged for spammy behavior, those flags don't just disappear when you start using the number.

In the US, we have three primary carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Each of these carriers employs its unique algorithm to detect and flag potential spam calls. This means a number that appears clean on one carrier's network might show up as a "Spam Risk" on another. Moreover, these spam detection features work differently on Android and iOS, adding another layer of complexity.

Aside from the carriers, there are also other watchdog agencies like the FTC, NoMoRobo, IceHook, and several others whose job is to shield consumers from unwanted, often fraudulent calls. They too can flag your number as spam if they detect patterns they associate with spammy behavior.

How to Fix Your Phone Number and Boost Connect Rates

The good news is that there are steps you can take to clean your number's reputation. Here's what you need to do:

1. Register with the Carriers

As soon as you obtain your new-but-recycled number, make it a priority to register it with all three major carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. This is a crucial first step in establishing your number's identity with these networks and can help in avoiding immediate flagging.

2. Get Monitored by Watchdog Agencies

Having your number monitored by agencies that fight spam is beneficial. This will not only help you keep an eye on your number's status but will also offer insights into why your number might be flagged, to begin with. Understanding the root cause is half the battle when it comes to cleaning your number's reputation.

3. Clean Your Number

If you find out that your number has been labeled as spam, don't panic. Each of these carriers and watchdog agencies has a process in place for disputing such flags. Often, this involves filling out a form where you can appeal the spam label and present your case. Be prepared to provide details about your business and how you use your phone number in these forms. Transparency and honesty are key here.

4. Continuous Monitoring and Cleaning

It's important to note that cleaning your number once does not mean it's forever clean. You'll need to continuously monitor your number across carriers and watchdog agencies and be prepared to act quickly if it gets flagged again. This ongoing vigilance is necessary to maintain a clean reputation and ensure your connect rates with prospects or customers remain high.

Why This Matters

In a world where robocalls and spam are rampant, carriers and watchdog agencies are on high alert, doing their best to protect consumers. While this is undoubtedly a good thing, it does mean businesses have to be extra cautious and proactive about maintaining the integrity of their phone numbers. A number marked as "spam likely" not only damages your connection rates but can also tarnish your brand's reputation, making it seem untrustworthy.

Streamline the Process with Salesfinity's AI-Powered Smart Parallel Dialer

For businesses looking for a more streamlined solution, foregoing the hassle of manual monitoring and cleaning, Salesfinity's AI-powered Smart Parallel Dialer offers an innovative solution. This tool automates the entire process of ensuring your phone numbers stay clean and unflagged, meaning you no longer have to worry about the intricacies of carrier registrations and appeals. By integrating seamlessly with a range of CRMs like Salesforce (SFDC), HubSpot, Outreach, SalesLoft, and Apollo, Salesfinity not only simplifies number management but also enhances your sales workflow through automation. This includes tasks such as logging calls, taking notes, and more, thereby saving valuable time and effort. Moreover, Salesfinity's platform is designed with a keen eye on UI/UX, ensuring it's not just powerful but also a pleasure to use. In essence, Salesfinity's Smart Parallel Dialer is the perfect tool for businesses aiming to maximize their connect rates without getting bogged down by the complexities of managing phone number reputations.

Final Thoughts

Navigating the complex world of spam detection algorithms and carrier flagging can be daunting. However, by taking the steps outlined above, you can significantly improve the odds of your number staying clean and your calls getting through to your intended audience. Remember, maintaining a good reputation for your phone number isn't a one-time fix but an ongoing process. By staying vigilant and proactive, you ensure that your outreach efforts are seen and heard by your prospects, allowing for more meaningful conversations and opportunities for your business.

In the end, making these efforts not only benefits your business by improving connect rates but also contributes to a broader ecosystem where legitimate calls are welcomed, and spam is kept at bay.