Before you send, QuickText reads your message the way your recipients would and points out things that often go wrong. You see it as the Message check card on the Compose page, and it updates while you type.
For good and bad examples, carrier limits, pacing, and message length, see SMS best practices: dos and don’ts.
The message check never blocks you. It only points things out, and you decide what to fix. You can turn it off under Settings > Sending > Check my message for common problems while I write.
How to read it #
The full-width panel shows each finding as a compact row. Click a row to see its explanation and available fixes. Problems expand automatically. The information icon explains the checks.
Each item has one of three levels:
- Problem Something that will likely go wrong. Worth fixing before you send.
- Warning Worth a second look.
- Tip A suggestion to help your messages arrive and get replies.
When nothing applies, you see a green Your message looks good instead.
Your message is empty problem #
There is nothing to send yet. Write your message before you send.
Some details are missing warning #
You used a personalization tag like {{first_name}}, but some people have no value for it, so their message would have a blank spot.
How to fix it. Give the tag a fallback after the | sign. {{first_name|there}} writes the first name when it exists, and the word “there” when it does not. A tag with a fallback is always safe. Use View recipients on the finding to see who is affected.
Some people share the same number warning #
Two or more of your selected contacts have the same phone number, so that phone would get your message several times.
How to fix it. This is usually a duplicate contact. Check your Contacts for repeats and remove the extra one.
Everyone gets the exact same text warning #
You are sending identical wording to many people through a personal phone/SIM. Bulk repetitive sending can trigger carrier filtering. This remains a review warning with an amber border.
What to review. Check your audience and sending volume before continuing. Contact fields and wording variations can personalize messages, but do not guarantee delivery.
Shortened link spotted warning #
Your message contains a link shortener like bit.ly or tinyurl. These hide where a link really goes, so carriers often block texts that use them.
How to fix it. Use the full web address instead, for example pythonandvba.com/your-page rather than bit.ly/abc123.
Longer than one text tip #
A single text holds about 160 characters. Emoji and special symbols shrink that a lot. Longer messages are split into several parts, and your phone plan may charge for each part.
How to fix it. Shorten the message if you want to keep it to one text. QuickText counts using your longest personalized version, so the count is realistic.
Words in all capitals tip #
ALL CAPS reads as shouting and is a classic spam signal, whether the whole message shouts or just one part like “CALL ME NOW”.
How to fix it. Use normal sentence case. A single short word like STOP or ASAP is fine.
Want a reply? Ask a question tip #
If you want a response, finish with a clear question that is relevant to the person reading it. Purely informational messages can skip this suggestion.
This is an optional writing tip, not an item requiring review. The summary counts tips separately from problems and warnings.
Starts with a link tip #
Messages that open with a link are treated with suspicion by spam filters and by people.
How to fix it. Say who you are first, then share the link.
Words that spam filters dislike tip #
Phrases like “act now”, “click here” or “call me now” are classic spam wording. Carriers filter on them, and readers have learned to distrust them.
How to fix it. Use friendlier, everyday wording. Instead of “Act now for a FREE consultation!”, try “Would you like to book a quick chat this week?”.
Very short pause for this many people tip #
Many messages fired off in rapid succession look automated to carriers. This shows up when you text a larger group with only a second or two between each one.
How to fix it. Give it a pause of about 5 seconds or more. On the Compose page, open Sending options and click Change timing and set the pause between messages.
That is a lot of messages in one go tip #
You are about to text a large number of people at once. Even with pauses, carriers sometimes flag heavy texting from a normal SIM.
How to fix it. On the Compose page, tick Send in batches. QuickText sends a portion now and continues when you run it again, skipping anyone who already got the message.