In the ever-evolving landscape of email marketing, the thin line between a successful email campaign and one that ends up in the spam folder can often be attributed to the use of certain trigger spam words and phrases. These triggers can activate spam filters even if the email’s content is legitimate and valuable to the recipient. This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on common email spam triggers and how to navigate them effectively.
Understanding Spam Triggers
Spam triggers are specific spam words, phrases, or patterns in an email that are commonly associated with unsolicited and often misleading content. Email service providers employ sophisticated algorithms and spam filters to protect users from potential spam, and these triggers can significantly impact your email deliverability.
What spam words to avoid
While not exhaustive, the following categories represent some of the most notorious spam triggers:
Avoid spam words that make exaggerated claims and promises
- #1
- 100% more
- 100% free
- 100% satisfied
- Additional income
- Be your own boss
- Best price
- Big bucks
- Billion
- Cash bonus
- Cents on the dollar
- Consolidate debt
- Double your cash
- Double your income
- Earn extra cash
- Earn money
- Eliminate bad credit
- Extra cash
- Extra income
- Expect to earn
Avoid spam words that create unnecessary urgency and pressure
- Act now
- Apply now
- Become a member
- Call now
- Click below
- Click here
- Get it now
- Do it today
- Don’t delete
- Exclusive deal
- Get started now
- Important information regarding
- Information you requested
- Instant
- Limited time
- New customers only
- Order now
- Please read
- See for yourself
- Sign up free
Avoid spam words that look like shady, spammy, or unethical behavior
- Bulk email
- Buy direct
- Cancel at any time
- Check or money order
- Congratulations
- Confidentiality
- Cures
- Dear friend
- Direct email
- Direct marketing
- Hidden charges
- Human growth hormone
- Internet marketing
- Lose weight
- Mass email
- Meet singles
- Multi-level marketing
- No catch
- No cost
- No credit check
Avoid spam words that are jargon or legalese (and everything else)
- Accept credit cards
- Ad
- All new
- As seen on
- Bargain
- Beneficiary
- Billing
- Bonus
- Cards accepted
- Cash
- Certified
- Cheap
- Claims
- Clearance
- Compare rates
- Credit card offers
- Deal
- Debt
- Discount
- In accordance with laws
How to Avoid Spam Filters
To ensure your emails reach their intended inboxes, consider the following best practices:
Personalization: Tailor your emails to the recipient using segmentation and personalized content. This reduces the need for generic promotional language that might trigger spam filters.
Clean and simple formatting: Avoid excessive use of colors, fonts, and images that can make your email look cluttered and spammy.
Engagement metrics: Monitor your email engagement metrics closely. High bounce rates and low open rates can affect your sender’s reputation, increasing the likelihood of being marked as spam.
Spam testing tools: Utilize email testing tools before sending out your campaigns to check for potential spam triggers.
Constant list hygiene: Regularly clean your email list to remove inactive or unengaged subscribers who might mark your emails as spam.
The Role of Content
At the heart of avoiding spam triggers is the focus on creating valuable, engaging, and relevant content for your audience. Instead of relying on sensationalist tactics to grab attention, build your emails around the needs and interests of your subscribers.
Conclusion
Navigating the minefield of email spam triggers requires a balance between persuasive marketing and the delivery of genuine value. By understanding and avoiding common spam triggers, employing best practices in email composition, and focusing on the quality of your content, you can significantly improve your email deliverability and ensure that your messages reach your audience as intended.