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🚫S.H.A.F.T. Censorship in ClickBid Messaging

🗒️ClickBid uses Twilio & Bandwidth as its SMS providers. To ensure compliance with mobile carrier regulations, certain topics are strictly prohibited in messages sent from the ClickBid system via phone numbers 855-800-4975 & 844-339-6509

🚫 SMS Restrictions: What Gets Blocked and How to Work Around It

ClickBid sends text messages through Twilio and Bandwidth, two of the most widely used SMS carriers in the US. Like all SMS providers, they follow CTIA guidelines that restrict certain types of content from being delivered through the mobile network. These restrictions apply to every SMS platform, not just ClickBid.

This article explains what gets blocked, why it happens, and how to keep your messages delivering without a hitch.

📖 What Is S.H.A.F.T.?

S.H.A.F.T. is an industry acronym for the content categories that mobile carriers restrict:

S: Sex H: Hate speech A: Alcohol F: Firearms T: Tobacco

Gambling has since been added to the list as well.

When a message contains words or phrases associated with these categories, carriers may block it before it ever reaches your bidders. This happens automatically, ClickBid doesn't review or filter messages manually, and there's no way to override a carrier block after the fact.

These topics are regulated and censored in SMS communications under CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) guidelines and mobile carrier policies. 

 💡These restrictions apply to text messages only. Emails sent through ClickBid are not subject to S.H.A.F.T. filtering. If you have content that might be flagged, email is always a safe alternative. 

✉️ Which Messages Are Affected?

Any text sent through ClickBid can be affected, including:

Outbid notifications: ClickBid no longer includes item names in outbid alerts for this reason. Your bidders will receive a message like:

You've been outbid on item 125. Tap here to bid again: [link]

Custom mass messages: Any message you write and send through the platform is subject to carrier filtering. This includes the message body as well as any item names or descriptions that appear in the text.

🚫 Words That Commonly Trigger Filtering

The list below covers the most common offenders, but it isn't exhaustive. Any word or phrase associated with sex (sexuality), alcohol, gambling, cannabis, tobacco, firearms, or hate speech may be flagged: even if it isn't listed here.

Alcohol Wine, Whiskey, Gin, Vodka, Rum, Tequila, Beer, Cocktail, Cocktails, Brewery, Distillery, Happy Hour, Alcohol

Cannabis & Tobacco Cannabis, Marijuana, CBD, Hemp, THC, Gummy, Gummies, Dispensary, Cigarette, Cigar, Vape

Firearms Gun, Rifle, Pistol, Firearm

Gambling Casino, Poker, Texas Hold'em, Keno, Lottery, Powerball, Mega Millions, Sweepstakes, Vegas

 Sex Adult content, XXX, Explicit, OnlyFans 

 Hate Speech This category is broader than a word list, carriers flag messages that contain slurs, discriminatory language, or content that targets people based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. If a message wouldn't be appropriate in a professional setting, it's likely to be flagged here. 

⚠️ Warning: This list covers the most common examples, but carrier filtering is broader than any word list can capture. Words associated with alcohol, gambling, firearms, cannabis, tobacco, adult content, hate speech, or language that carriers flag as sensitive. Including some terms related to identity, sexuality, and community,  may be blocked. Even censoring with symbols (e.g., G*N or W**E) may still trigger a block. When in doubt, use email. 

✏️ How to Rename Items for SMS

The easiest fix is renaming flagged items in your ClickBid catalog so the restricted words never appear in your messages. Here are some examples:

Original Item Name SMS-Friendly Alternative
Wine Basket Gourmet Gift Basket
Wine Pull Mystery Gift Pull
Whiskey Tasting Experience Spirits Tasting Experience
Brewery Tour for Two Local Craft Tour for Two
Casino Night Package Game Night Package
Dispensary Gift Card Local Retailer Gift Card
Gun Range Experience Outdoor Adventure Experience

🗒️ The item can still be described in full detail on your bidding page, the goal is just to keep flagged words out of the text message itself. 

🔗 URL Shorteners to Avoid

Twilio also blocks many third-party URL shorteners because they're commonly associated with spam. Use full URLs in your messages, or reach out to ClickBid support for guidance on branded links.

Don't use: Bit.ly, TinyURL, Shorturl.at, BL.INK, Ow.ly, Rebrandly, Short.io, Cuttly, ClickMeter, or go.to

💡 Tip: If you need to shorten URLs, consider using a branded link on your own website, via email, or reach out to ClickBid support for guidance.

 Also avoid the phrase "go to" in your message text, it can trigger the same filter as the go.to domain.

✅ Quick Tips for Safe Messaging

  1. Review item names before your event and rename anything that contains a flagged word.
  2. Use neutral, descriptive language, focus on the experience rather than the specific product.
  3. When in doubt, send an email instead. It won't be filtered.
  4. Use full URLs only, no third-party shorteners.
  5. Don't mask flagged words with symbols or abbreviations.

📚 Want to Learn More?

You can review the official guidelines from CTIA, Twilio, and Bandwidth for the full details on messaging content policies.

🧭 Need Help?

If your messages are not sending or you’re unsure if your content violates S.H.A.F.T. guidelines, contact ClickBid Support via help@cbo.com or chat.