Why Your Business Needs an Android SMS Gateway
In today’s fast-paced business world, effective communication is crucial—and SMS is one of the most reliable channels, w...
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Way2SMS has no public, official “top‑50 spam keyword” list. The platform’s spam‑handling logic is largely guided by India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) rules, which prohibit unsolicited commercial communications (UCC) and require opt‑in consent. When a sender’s message contains high‑risk terms—such as “FREE,” “WIN,” or “URGENT”—the system automatically flags it, often delivering it to the user’s spam folder or blocking it entirely.
Because the platform processes up to 500 SMS/second and serves over 55 million monthly users, even a single blocked message can have a ripple effect on brand reputation and customer engagement.
Way2SMS is a free, web‑based SMS gateway that allows users to send bulk messages to up to 100 numbers per day (free tier) and up to 10,000 numbers per day on paid plans. The platform’s user blocking process is straightforward:
According to the Way2SMS FAQ, the service emphasizes “user safety and blocking irrelevant texts.” The lack of transparency means marketers must rely on patterns observed across carriers and open datasets to avoid penalties.
Below is a consolidated view of high‑risk keywords that are flagged by mobile operators worldwide and by Way2SMS’s inferred filtering logic. The list draws from:
| Source | Key Insight |
|---|---|
| Way2SMS | No explicit keyword list; enforcement aligns with TRAI UCC rules (source: Way2SMS FAQ). |
| Mobile Network Operators (Nigerian/International) | Operators such as MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile ban hundreds of terms related to recharge scams and freebies (source: list of keywords banned by mobile network operators). |
| Open‑Source Spam Dataset | The dataset contains ~5,572 spam samples; 15% of spam messages include recurring phrases that trigger filters (source: open‑source spam dataset). |
| Global Carrier Policies (Twilio) | Prohibited categories include deceptive work‑from‑home programs, pyramid schemes, and risk‑investment offers (source: Twilio’s Forbidden Categories). |
| SMS Marketing Compliance | TRAI mandates DND registration and bans promotional keywords like “free gift,” “lottery,” and “loan offer” without consent (source: Way2SMS FAQ). |
Below is a curated list of 50 keywords and short phrases that, if included in your SMS content, are highly likely to trigger Way2SMS’s spam filters. They are grouped by category for easier reference.
| # | Keyword / Phrase | Category | Why It’s Problematic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FREE | Promotion | Overused; triggers “free offer” filter. |
| 2 | WIN | Lottery | Implies a contest; flagged under UCC. |
| 3 | BONUS | Reward | Often used in scams. |
| 4 | URGENT | Urgency | Creates panic; flagged by spam models. |
| 5 | CALL NOW | CTA | High‑risk call‑to‑action. |
| 6 | TEXT NOW | CTA | Similar to “call now.” |
| 7 | CLICK HERE | CTA | Often linked to phishing. |
| 8 | DISCOUNT | Promotion | Over‑promising discounts can be spam. |
| 9 | SALE | Promotion | Common in bulk marketing. |
| 10 | LIMITED TIME | Urgency | Creates false scarcity. |
| 11 | SPECIAL OFFER | Promotion | Generic; flagged by filters. |
| 12 | GET IT NOW | CTA | Pushy language. |
| 13 | FREE RINGTONE | Promotion | Frequently used in free‑bie scams. |
| 14 | MIX | Promotion | Appears in “text the password ‘MIX’” scams. |
| 15 | WINNER | Lottery | Directly references winning. |
| 16 | CLAIM | Reward | Often used in prize claims. |
| 17 | PRIZE | Lottery | Flagged by carriers. |
| 18 | LOTTERY | Lottery | Explicitly banned in many lists. |
| 19 | MONEY | Reward | Generic; flagged by spam detectors. |
| 20 | CASH | Reward | Over‑used in scams. |
| 21 | FREE GIFT | Promotion | Commonly blocked. |
| 22 | FREE TRIP | Promotion | Often part of sweepstakes. |
| 23 | FREE VIDEO | Promotion | Tied to adult content in some cases. |
| 24 | FREE TRIAL | Promotion | Frequently used in deceptive offers. |
| 25 | FREE MONEY | Reward | Flagged as high‑risk. |
| 26 | FREE CALL | Promotion | Often used in spam calls. |
| 27 | FREE SMS | Promotion | Can be a sign of bulk spam. |
| 28 | FREE INTERNET | Promotion | Over‑promising free services. |
| 29 | FREE CREDIT | Promotion | Associated with credit scams. |
| 30 | 4-1RECHARGE | Scam | Explicitly banned by operators. |
| 31 | A!RTEL | Scam | Banned keyword. |
| 32 | AIRTEL | Scam | Banned keyword. |
| 33 | ANGEL/MEZZY | Scam | Banned keyword. |
| 34 | AWOOF!!! | Scam | Banned keyword. |
| 35 | WORK FROM HOME | Deceptive | Listed as forbidden by Twilio’s Forbidden Categories. |
| 36 | INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY | Deceptive | Flagged under risk investment. |
| 37 | PYRAMID SCHEME | Deceptive | Explicitly prohibited. |
| 38 | MYSTERY SHOPPING | Deceptive | Forbidden category. |
| 39 | FREE ACCESS | Promotion | Generic; flagged. |
| 40 | FREE SUBSCRIPTION | Promotion | Often used in spam. |
| 41 | FREE AD | Promotion | Tied to unsolicited ads. |
| 42 | FREE PRODUCT | Promotion | Over‑promising. |
| 43 | FREE SERVICE | Promotion | Commonly blocked. |
| 44 | FREE CONSULTATION | Promotion | Tied to scams. |
| 45 | FREE QUOTE | Promotion | Often used in marketing. |
| 46 | FREE SAMPLE | Promotion | Flagged by filters. |
| 47 | FREE E‑BOOK | Promotion | Over‑used in spam. |
| 48 | FREE VIDEO CALL | Promotion | Associated with adult content. |
| 49 | FREE CHAT | Promotion | Can be a sign of unsolicited chat. |
| 50 | FREE ADVERTISEMENT | Promotion | Generic; flagged. |
Tip: Even if your message does not contain any of these exact words, similar synonyms (complimentary, gratis, no‑cost) can also trigger filters. Use them sparingly and only if you have explicit opt‑in consent.
While Way2SMS does not publish an official top‑50 spam keyword list, the convergence of TRAI regulations, global carrier policies, and open‑source spam datasets gives us a reliable snapshot of the terms that most frequently trigger blocks. By steering clear of the 50 keywords above, adopting best‑practice compliance measures, and staying informed about regulatory changes, you can dramatically improve your SMS deliverability and protect your brand’s reputation.
Ready to craft spam‑free SMS campaigns? Check out our free guide to SMS compliance, or sign up for a paid Way2SMS plan today to unlock higher limits, custom sender IDs, and advanced analytics.
Call to Action: Download our “SMS Compliance Checklist” now and start sending messages that land in inboxes, not spam folders.
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