Content encoding mismatch problems happen when the character set used to send an SMS does not match the character set expected by the receiving system.
This mismatch usually appears when messages include special characters, emojis, or accents that require a specific encoding format, such as Unicode.
In SMS communication, the network and devices need to agree on how each character is translated into data bits and then back into readable text.
Content encoding mismatch problems depend on settings in the messaging platform, carrier support, handset capabilities, and how characters are defined in the message template.
When things do not align, recipients might see broken symbols, question marks, or shortened texts, which can confuse the meaning and weaken the overall user experience.
of texts are read immediately
of consumers want to text businesses
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Content encoding mismatch best practices start with knowing how your templates are built and what characters they contain.
Teams should standardize which encoding is used for each type of SMS and document that choice so writers, developers, and operations staff handle content in a consistent way.
Before rolling out a new campaign, it helps to test sample texts that include accents, symbols, and multilingual content across different devices and networks, then confirm that line breaks, special characters, and message length display as expected.
Content encoding mismatch problems become easier to manage when writers avoid unnecessary symbols, keep tone simple and professional, and use plain alternatives where possible without losing brand personality.
Data accuracy in your CRM or order system also matters, because imported names, addresses, and product details can introduce unexpected characters that shift the encoding and split a single SMS into multiple segments.
Operationally, make sure logging and monitoring capture the final delivered text, so recurring issues are spotted early and corrected in templates or integrations rather than one message at a time.
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