Prohibited Content: Explicit Sexual

Why This Rejection Happens

"Sex" is the "S" in SHAFT, the core list of prohibited 10DLC content. Adult content, pornography, strip clubs, and even sexually suggestive dating apps are strictly banned. There is almost no path to approval for this category on standard 10DLC routes.

• Adult entertainment venues (Strip clubs, Gentlemen's clubs).
• Pornographic websites or content.
• Escort services or "companionship" offers.
• Sexually suggestive marketing for dating apps or lingerie that crosses the line into explicit.

Root Cause Analysis

Primary Triggers

• Human Trafficking Risk: Carriers aggressively block any content that could even remotely facilitate human trafficking or exploitation. Escort/companion services trigger instant bans.
• Age Appropriate: SMS is considered a universal medium accessible to minors. Carriers refuse to police age-gating for adult content, so they ban it entirely.

Step-by-Step Remediation

Accept the Ban

If your primary business is adult entertainment, pornography, or escort services, you cannot use 10DLC. There is no remediation for the content itself.

Check for False Positives (Dating/Lingerie)

If you are a legitimate dating app or lingerie retailer and were flagged, you must sanitize your website and samples. Ensure no nudity is visible on the homepage. Ensure messaging is about "matches" or "orders," not sexual acts.

Pre-Resubmission Checklist

• I confirm my business is NOT adult entertainment/escort.
• I have removed explicit images/language from my site.

Scan for Triggers

Find the words that are flagging your account.

Is Your Business Misclassified?

False positives happen. We can help legitimate businesses appeal inaccurate SHAFT flags.

What reviewers check for code 703

Code 703 is reported as "Prohibited Content: Explicit Sexual". Sexual or adult content is prohibited on 10DLC, and adult-oriented content that is legal requires robust age gating at minimum. Reviewers check the website, imagery and sample messages for explicit or suggestive content, dating and escort services, and adult products.

Where code 703 comes from

Code 703 is a vetting rejection reason applied during brand or campaign review and passed back to you by your CSP. It identifies the specific deficiency the reviewer found, so fixing exactly that item is the fastest route to approval. It is marked Critical: it describes content or a business model carriers do not permit, so the campaign cannot be approved until that content is removed, not just reworded.

Fix and verify before resubmitting

1. Remove explicit or suggestive language and imagery from samples and linked pages.
2. If the business is lawful but adult-oriented, implement a real age gate and declare the age-gated attribute.
3. Keep messages strictly transactional (orders, appointments) where possible.
4. Make sure the website homepage is not adult content.
5. Confirm with your CSP whether the remaining content is permitted at all.
6. Resubmit with a note that references code 703 (Prohibited Content: Explicit Sexual) and lists each change made.

Sample resubmission note

Many CSPs let you add a note for the reviewer when you resubmit. A short, specific note shows what changed and speeds up the second review. Example for Cedar Hollow Animal Hospital:

Cedar Hollow Animal Hospital corrected the deficiency reported as code 703 (Prohibited Content: Explicit Sexual). Changes made: remove explicit or suggestive language and imagery from samples and linked pages; if the business is lawful but adult-oriented, implement a real age gate and declare the age-gated attribute; keep messages strictly transactional (orders, appointments) where possible. All URLs, keywords and auto-replies were re-tested from an external network before this resubmission, and the campaign text now matches the live opt-in exactly.

Common mistakes that keep code 703 coming back

• Using suggestive copy in promotional messages for wellness or lingerie brands.
• Linking to adult content from a neutral site.
• Omitting age gating on adult-adjacent products.

Related rejection codes

• Code 7006: Sex Content Missing Age Gate
• Code 2131: Verbal Script Missing STOP Instructions
• Code 2128: Opt-in Form Missing HELP Instructions
• Code 2127: Verbal Script Missing STOP Instructions
• Code 2126: Opt-in Form Missing STOP Instructions
• Code 2124: Verbal Script Missing Frequency Disclosure

Frequently asked questions about code 703

Do lingerie or sexual wellness brands get code 703?

They can if copy or imagery is suggestive. Keep messaging neutral, age-gate where required, and avoid explicit content.

Can dating services use 10DLC?

Carriers scrutinize dating closely; adult or hookup-oriented services are rejected.

Legal Disclaimer: Code 703 involves strict content prohibitions. Carriers reserve the right to block any content they deem inappropriate, regardless of legality. This is a private network policy, not just a legal one.

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