We keep getting flooded with spam texts and scam phone calls on our family plan lines, so what are the most effective ways to block them at the network level rather than just using phone settings?
Fan-out diagram
Seed → topic clusters → sub-queries, per model.
Badge and edge weight = share of passes that produced the query. Hover a query for its intent and routing format.
Query classes
Google's semantic query class for every sub-query: what kind of answer each search is after, simulated vs real.
Classes come from the query-classifier (a local Laya model). 2 of 2 calls are low-confidence (under 50%) — hover a query in the table to see its confidence. 33 queries are still being classified.
What the models actually searched
Each model answered the query with its own web search. These are the searches it ran, matched to the closest simulated query.
- Block Unwanted Wireless Calls and Messages · att.com
- Use the AT&T ActiveArmor app · lsreg.att.com
- AT&T ActiveArmor details · att.com
- T-Mobile Scam Shield details · t-mobile.com
- Avoid unwanted calls with Verizon Call Filter FAQs · verizon.com
- Verizon Call Filter details · verizon.com
- Targeting and Eliminating Unlawful Text Messages, Implementation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, Advanced Methods To Target and Eliminate Unlawful Robocalls · thefederalregister.org
- How To Block Unwanted Calls · consumer.ftc.gov
- Federal Communications Commission FCC 24-120 · docs.fcc.gov
- DoNotCall.gov · donotcall.gov
- FTC ReportFraud · reportfraud.ftc.gov
Semantic map
Every query placed by meaning (EmbeddingGemma 2, 256-d). Shaded regions are topics, nearby points are near-paraphrases, and a circle's size is how often the query came back.
Queries
| Query / type | Search | Intent | Query class | Routing format | Cluster | Freq ↓ | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
how to block spam calls and texts at the carrier network level REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a direct restatement of their original problem to find the most accurate primary guide. | — | how_to_steps | network level blocking methods | 2x of 3 | |
how to block spam calls and texts at carrier network level REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a direct restatement of the original query focused on carrier-level blocking solutions. | — | how_to_steps | network level blocking methods | 1x of 3 | |
verizon tmobile at&t built in scam blocking features family plan ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know specific brand names and features offered by major carriers for family plans. | — | comparison_table | family plan security features | 1x of 3 | |
verizon t-mobile at&t built in spam blocking features compared COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to compare the native spam blocking tools offered by major US carriers since they likely use one of these for their family plan. | — | comparison_table | comparing carrier spam tools | 1x of 3 | |
verizon att tmobile free spam blocking network features ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know what specific built-in spam protection features major US carriers offer by default. | — | comparison_table | comparing carrier spam tools | 1x of 3 | |
streen beamer robocall blocking apps vs carrier network filtering COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to compare third-party device apps against network-level carrier protection. | — | buyers_guide | carrier spam blocking services | 1x of 3 | |
att activearmor vs verizon call filter vs tmobile scam shield COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a comparison of the official carrier apps and network services used to block spam. | — | review_roundup | comparing carrier spam tools | 1x of 3 | |
best network level spam blocking apps for families ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for specific application or service names that operate at the network or carrier level to protect multiple lines. | — | review_roundup | family plan security features | 1x of 3 | |
do carrier spam blocking services cost extra money IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know the pricing implications of activating network-level spam blocks on family accounts. | — | pricing_page | carrier service pricing tiers | 1x of 3 | |
do carrier spam blocking apps actually work or do they miss scam calls RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know the real-world effectiveness of network-level blocking compared to phone settings. | — | forum/qna | carrier blocking effectiveness | 1x of 3 | |
how do robocall blocking services work behind the scenes IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to understand the underlying technology of network-level blocking to trust its effectiveness. | — | web_article | carrier spam blocking services | 1x of 3 | |
how do mobile network spam filters work behind the scenes RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants technical background on how carriers intercept spam before it reaches the phone. | — | web_article | comparing carrier spam tools | 1x of 3 | |
how to stop robotexts using carrier gateway filters IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for technical explanations of how carriers filter out spam text messages before they hit the device. | — | web_article | carrier spam blocking services | 1x of 3 | |
how to activate stir shaken authentication on mobile carrier RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know how to ensure caller ID authentication standards are active on their network lines. | — | faq_page | stir shaken protocol effectiveness | 1x of 3 | |
family mobile plan security settings for elderly parents and kids PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants tailored security configurations specifically meant for vulnerable family members. | — | checklist | family plan security features | 1x of 3 | |
best third party apps for family plan spam protection PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants recommendations for multi-line family plan apps that manage spam across multiple connected phones. | — | buyers_guide | family plan security features | 1x of 3 | |
family phone plan security features against spam and scams PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is searching for account-level features specifically designed to manage security across multiple household lines simultaneously. | — | buyers_guide | family plan security features | 1x of 3 | |
are carrier spam blocks effective against spoofed numbers RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know the limitations of network-level blocking against advanced spoofing tactics. | — | faq_page | carrier blocking effectiveness | 1x of 3 | |
stir shaken protocol spam call blocking effectiveness RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to understand the official FCC caller ID authentication framework used by carriers. | — | glossary/definition | stir shaken protocol effectiveness | 1x of 3 | |
do carriers charge extra for advanced robocall protection RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know the cost implications of upgrading from basic free carrier filtering to premium network protection. | — | pricing_page | carrier service pricing tiers | 1x of 3 | |
stirling code or stir shaken protocol spam call prevention ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to understand the official FCC framework used by carriers to stop caller ID spoofing. | — | glossary/definition | stir shaken protocol effectiveness | 1x of 3 | |
how to report scam numbers to fcc and carriers RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know how reporting spam numbers helps improve network-level filtering for everyone. | — | how_to_steps | reporting scam numbers | 1x of 3 | |
fcc guidelines on carrier obligations to block scam calls RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know what regulatory protections or requirements exist for telecommunications companies regarding spam. | — | pdf_whitepaper | reporting scam numbers | 1x of 3 | |
how to report scam texts to carriers to improve network filtering IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know how to feed spam data back to the carrier to protect their family plan lines better. | — | how_to_steps | reporting scam numbers | 1x of 3 | |
network level versus phone level spam blocking pros and cons COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a clear breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of carrier blocking versus device settings. | — | comparison_table | comparing carrier spam tools | 1x of 3 | |
how effective is network level spam blocking compared to phone apps COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants validation that switching from device settings to network settings is actually worth the effort. | — | web_article | comparing carrier spam tools | 1x of 3 | |
can carriers block all numbers from a specific area code IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know if carriers support neighborhood spoofing protection or area code blocking. | — | faq_page | carrier blocking effectiveness | 1x of 3 | |
how to report scam numbers to phone carriers REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know how to feed bad data back into the carrier network to improve automated blocking. | — | how_to_steps | reporting scam numbers | 1x of 3 | |
best network level spam protection services compared COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a summary review of the top-performing network-level defense mechanisms. | — | review_roundup | comparing carrier spam tools | 1x of 3 | |
robocall mitigation database and carrier filtering rules ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for technical details on databases used by telecom operators to intercept malicious traffic. | — | glossary/definition | carrier service pricing tiers | 1x of 3 | |
family plan security settings to stop spam texts REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants account-level management controls available through online carrier portals for family plans. | — | how_to_steps | family plan security features | 1x of 3 | |
carrier provided robo call blocking service pricing and tiers RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know if advanced network-level scam blocking requires paying extra monthly fees. | — | pricing_page | carrier service pricing tiers | 1x of 3 | |
can spoofed numbers be completely blocked by carriers IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know the limitations of network-level blocking, specifically regarding advanced spoofing techniques. | — | faq_page | carrier blocking effectiveness | 1x of 3 |
Passes
Does another pass still surface new queries? A flattening curve means the fan-out has stabilised.
| Model | Pass | Target | Generated | Seconds | Tokens (in / out) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 1 | 12 | 12 | — | 949 / 1,589 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 2 | 12 | 12 | — | 949 / 1,567 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 3 | 10 | 10 | — | 949 / 1,265 |