Understanding Text Message Order & Best Practices with Bulk BuzzLink™
Why didn’t my messages arrive in the same order I uploaded them?
Text messages travel through mobile carrier networks independently, not as a grouped bundle. Because each message can take a slightly different path, they may arrive a few seconds apart—and sometimes out of order.
Is this specific to BuzzLink™?
No. All SMS traffic—regardless of platform—moves through the same carrier infrastructure. Carriers focus on successful delivery, not ordered delivery, which means any high-volume send can arrive out of sequence.
What causes messages to arrive out of order?
Several normal network behaviors can affect timing:
- Each message travels separately through the carrier’s system
- Store-and-forward processing may delay some messages
- Long or multi-part texts are broken into smaller pieces
- Network congestion or high traffic
- Transfers between carriers when recipients are on different networks
These factors can shift delivery by milliseconds—just enough to change the order.
Can anything ensure messages stay in perfect order?
No carrier currently guarantees ordered delivery for SMS. This is an industry-wide characteristic of how text messaging works.
What can I do to improve the likelihood that messages arrive in order?
You can help the network deliver messages more predictably by reducing “message bursts”:
Recommended best practices:
- Split your CSV into smaller groups (e.g., one date range per file)
- Send batches sequentially, waiting for one to complete before sending the next
This lowers network congestion and increases the chance that messages appear to patients in the intended order.
Does BuzzLink handle delivery once the messages leave the system?
BuzzLink sends messages to the carrier immediately and reliably. After that point, timing and routing are controlled entirely by the carrier network. BuzzLink monitors send status, but carriers determine the exact moment the text reaches the patient’s device.
Will patients still receive their reminders?
Yes. Carriers prioritize successful delivery, and out-of-order arrival does not affect whether messages reach the recipient.
Where can I get help with batch setup or sending reminders?
If you’d like guidance on creating smaller batches, organizing your CSV file, or planning message timing, our team is happy to help. Reach out to us through your Buzz concierge support group.
