Every IT Needs, One Trusted Partner
Overview
One of the most persistent challenges in today’s telecom industry is the issue of legitimate business calls being mislabeled as “Spam Likely.”
Modern analytics and spam detection engines often take an overly aggressive approach when flagging numbers, and even a small number of outbound calls can trigger a spam tag. This poses major difficulties for businesses that rely on phone communication to connect with clients, schedule services, or conduct daily operations.
The purpose of this article is to explain how this problem occurs, what factors influence spam labeling, and what steps businesses can take to reduce the likelihood of their numbers being marked incorrectly.
What determines when a number is marked as “Spam Likely”?
Each carrier uses its own algorithms and analytics to determine whether a phone number appears suspicious. While exact formulas are proprietary, most systems analyze a combination of key variables, including:
- Number of outbound calls made
- Volume of calls going directly to voicemail
- CPS (Calls Per Second) rate
- Level of attestation under STIR/SHAKEN verification
- Average call duration
- Frequency of calls lasting 6 seconds or less
When any of these metrics fall outside of “normal” thresholds, the number can be flagged as suspicious — even if the calls are entirely legitimate.
How to reduce “Spam Likely” labeling
The most effective way to mitigate this issue is to register your phone numbers through FreeCallerRegistry.com.
This free service allows businesses to register directly with the three major analytics partners that feed into major U.S. carriers — First Orion, Hiya, and TNS.
By doing so, your business becomes recognized by the analytics systems used by mobile and landline carriers across the country, improving your number’s reputation and lowering the chance of false spam labeling.
However, it’s important to note that registration does not guarantee immunity. Businesses that place a high volume of short or abandoned calls may still encounter the “Spam Likely” tag, as behavior-based metrics continue to influence these systems.
Note: Registering with Free Caller Registry does not replace Caller ID registration. Businesses should still ensure their outbound Caller ID information is properly configured and verified.
When should numbers be registered?
24/7 Network Service recommends registering every newly purchased DID as soon as it’s activated.
If you are transferring numbers to your network, it’s best practice to include registration in your porting workflow — ideally right after your port order is submitted.
This proactive step ensures that your numbers are recognized by carrier databases before outbound calling begins, minimizing potential spam flags.
What to do if your number is already marked as “Spam Likely”
If your number has already been flagged, don’t panic — it can be corrected.
The best approach is to submit a report or ticket directly to the carrier responsible for the tag. Below are contact links and resources for several major providers:
- T-Mobile: Report Improperly Identified Calls
- Verizon: Verizon Voice Spam Feedback
- AT&T: Submit a Request – Hiya
- CenturyLink: Email robocall.reporting@centurylink.com, or report through Nomorobo.
- Nomorobo: Report directly at nomorobo.com/contact
- Sprint: Call 888-211-4727 or visit reportarobocall.com/trf.
- US Cellular: Call 888-944-9400 or visit uscellular.com/support/robocall.
- Windstream: Call 800-347-1991 or email via windstream.com/Support/Phone.
These requests typically take several days to process, but they are the most direct way to appeal a false spam designation.
Additional strategies to prevent future spam flags
1. Ask customers to save your business number
Many third-party call-blocking apps automatically reject calls from unknown numbers. Encouraging customers to save your official business contact helps ensure your calls go through and helps them identify you immediately, even if a “Spam Likely” tag appears.
2. Ask clients to review or disable aggressive spam blockers
Some users have spam filtering apps installed without realizing it. Politely informing clients about potential overblocking can help restore normal communication and prevent missed calls.
3. Keep call behavior consistent and professional
Avoid patterns that trigger analytics engines — such as extremely short calls, excessive redials, or bursts of outbound calls in a short timeframe. Consistent, conversational calling behavior helps maintain a positive number reputation.
The takeaway
Being labeled as “Spam Likely” can seriously disrupt business operations, customer communication, and brand trust. Fortunately, the issue is manageable with proactive steps: register your numbers, maintain consistent call patterns, and educate your clients on how to identify your legitimate calls.
At 24/7 Network Service, we work with businesses to implement these best practices, ensuring that your communications remain trusted, verified, and uninterrupted.
Every IT Needs, One Trusted Partner.