101 Email Spam Trigger Words That Hurt Deliverability

In the world of email marketing, the difference between a successful campaign and one that lands in the spam folder can often come down to your choice of words. Today, we’re diving deep into the topic of email spam trigger words—the phrases and terms that could prevent your emails from reaching their intended audience. Understanding these can dramatically improve your email deliverability, ensuring your messages not only reach the inbox but also engage your recipients effectively.

Understanding Spam Triggers

The Science Behind Spam Filters

Spam filters are a crucial component of modern email systems, protecting users from unwanted messages and potential security threats. These filters utilize advanced algorithms that continuously learn and adapt to new spam tactics. Essentially, they act like vigilant gatekeepers, scrutinizing every email that comes through.

How Spam Filters Work

At the core of these filters is a set of criteria or rules that help determine whether an email should be considered spam. These rules might look for specific patterns, keywords, sender behaviors, and even the formatting of the message. When an email hits a certain threshold of “spammy” characteristics, it’s flagged and diverted away from the recipient’s main inbox.

Role of Trigger Words

Within these algorithms, trigger words are weighted heavily. These are words or phrases that, historically, have been abused by spammers. For instance, overly promotional language, phrases that create unnecessary urgency, or those that promise unrealistic outcomes are typical triggers. When these words are detected, the email’s spam score increases, which affects its likelihood of being delivered successfully to the intended inbox.

Context Matters

While the presence of trigger words can increase an email’s spam score, modern spam filters are intelligent enough to consider the context in which these words are used. They analyze the overall content of the email, who it’s from, and how recipients interact with similar emails. This means that not every email containing a potential trigger word will be marked as spam, especially if it comes from a trusted sender with a history of good engagement rates.

Learning and Adaptation

Spam filters are not static. They evolve by learning from user actions, such as marking an email as spam or not spam. This feedback helps the filters to better understand new spam tactics and refine their criteria for filtering emails. This adaptive approach ensures that spam filters remain effective even as spammers change their strategies.

Why Certain Words Trigger Spam Filters

Understanding why certain words trigger spam filters requires delving into the specifics of email analysis and the history of spam:

Historical Association with Scams

Over the years, spam filters have been trained on vast datasets of unsolicited and fraudulent emails. This training has allowed them to identify common vocabulary and phrasing used in these types of communications. Words like “congratulations,” “winner,” and “guaranteed” have been flagged repeatedly in phishing schemes and deceptive marketing tactics. As a result, emails containing these words might automatically raise red flags for spam filters, as they mimic the language patterns identified in previous spam.

Aggressive Marketing Language

Spam filters are sensitive to words that exert pressure or create a sense of urgency, such as “act now,” “limited offer,” or “once in a lifetime.” This type of language is often employed in high-pressure sales tactics, which are characteristic of spam emails aiming to provoke an immediate reaction from the reader. The use of urgent language can signal to spam filters that the email is trying to bypass rational decision-making with emotional appeal, which is a common technique in spam and scam emails.

Exaggerated Claims

Phrases that promise extreme benefits with little effort or investment, such as “miracle cure,” “instant results,” or “get rich quick,” are typically associated with scams and low-quality marketing attempts. Spam filters evaluate the credibility of statements within emails. When an email contains language that seems too good to be true, filters are likely to classify it as spam based on the assumption that the email might be attempting to deceive or mislead recipients.

Financial and Sensitive Content

Words that pertain to financial transactions or personal data, such as “bank account,” “credit,” “debt,” or “investment offer,” are scrutinized closely due to their frequent use in phishing attacks and financial frauds. Spam filters are particularly vigilant about emails containing these terms because unauthorized entities often use such content to solicit sensitive information from unsuspecting individuals. The presence of these words can prompt spam filters to subject the email to additional scrutiny, ensuring that such sensitive content is handled securely and does not pose a threat to the recipient.

The List of 101 Spam Trigger Words

Here’s a comprehensive list of spam trigger words, categorized for easier reference:

Financial and Monetary Offers

1. Free
2. Discount
3. Save
4. Cash
5. Money
6. Dollars
7. Price
8. Loan
9. Mortgage
10. Credit
11. Debt
12. Bargain
13. Cheap
14. Affordable
15. Investment

Urgency and Scarcity

1. Act now
2. Limited time
3. Offer expires
4. Only
5. Hurry
6. Last chance
7. Don’t miss
8. Once in a lifetime
9. Urgent
10. Immediately

Exaggerated Claims

1. Miracle
2. Guaranteed
3. Promise
4. Best
5. Unbelievable
6. Amazing
7. Incredible
8. Revolutionary
9. Breakthrough
10. Sensational

Get Rich Quick Schemes

1. Make Money
2. Extra income
3. Work from home
4. Be your own boss
5. Financial freedom
6. Earn extra cash
7. Easy money
8. Get paid
9. Income opportunity
10. Wealth

Health and Wellness

1. Lose weight
2. Fat burner
3. Miracle cure
4. Natural remedy
5. Anti-aging
6. Eliminate pain
7. Quick fix
8. Reverse aging
9. Boost energy
10. Melt fat

Legal and Compliance

1. No obligation
2. No purchase necessary
3. No strings attached
4. 100% free
5. Risk-free
6. Satisfaction guaranteed
7. No questions asked
8. No hidden costs
9. No catch
10. No gimmicks

Personal Information

1. Confidential
2. Private
3. Sensitive
4. Exclusive
5. Selected
6. Congratulations
7. You’ve been chosen
8. Winner
9. Beneficiary
10. Inheritance

Marketing Jargon

1. As seen on
2. Buy direct
3. Order now
4. Call now
5. Click here
6. Subscribe now
7. Limited offer
8. Special Promotion
9. Instant
10. Bonus

Miscellaneous

1. Viagra
2. Valium
3. Xanax
4. Pharmacy
5. Prescription
6. Luxury
7. Opportunity
8. Miracle
9. Secret
10. Hidden
11. Shocking
12. Exposed
13. Reveal
14. Insider
15. Banned
16. Controversial

Best Practices for Dodging the Spam Folder

Ensuring your emails reach the inbox rather than the spam folder involves more than just avoiding certain trigger words. Below, we break down the best practices into digestible strategies that can significantly boost your email deliverability.

Crafting Effective Content Without Spam Words

• Prioritize Clarity and Value: Your emails should be straightforward and focused on delivering real value. Avoid complex language or jargon that might confuse readers. Make sure every word supports your message without overstating benefits.
• Engage with Relevance: Tailor your content to meet the specific interests and needs of your audience. Use data from past interactions to personalize messages, making them relevant and engaging.
• Keep Promises Realistic: Ensure that any claims made in your emails are believable and verifiable. Overpromising can lead to distrust and increase the likelihood of being marked as spam.

Email List Hygiene and Management

• Regular Cleaning: Routinely check your email list for inactive or unresponsive subscribers and remove them. This not only improves engagement rates but also enhances your overall sender reputation.
• Segment Your Lists: Divide your email lists based on user behavior, preferences, and engagement levels. This allows for more targeted and effective email campaigns that are less likely to be marked as spam.
• Re-engage or Remove: Periodically send re-engagement campaigns to try and revive interest among less active subscribers. If there’s no response, consider removing them from your list to keep it fresh and active.

Authentication and Compliance

• Implement Email Authentication Protocols: Use Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC). These protocols help verify your domain and reduce the risk of your emails being spoofed.
• Stay Compliant with Regulations: Adhere to email marketing laws and regulations such as GDPR, CAN-SPAM, or CASL, depending on your audience’s location. Compliance not only avoids legal issues but also signals to email providers that you are a trustworthy sender.
• Monitor Your Sender Score: Regularly check your sender score, a measure used by email providers to determine your reputation. A higher score improves your chances of avoiding the spam folder.

By implementing these practices, you not only enhance the likelihood that your emails will land in the intended inbox but also build a stronger, more positive relationship with your audience. Remember, maintaining a clean, engaged, and compliant email list, along with sending well-crafted and honest content, is key to effective email marketing.

Real-World Applications

Case Study: Improved Email Deliverability for a Tech Startup

Overview of Tech Startup A:

• Challenge: Tech Startup A experienced a consistent decline in email engagement rates, noticing an increase in emails marked as spam, which impacted their customer outreach effectiveness.
• Objective: To improve email deliverability and engagement by revising email content and enhancing list management practices.

Strategic Overhaul:

• Email Audit: The startup conducted a thorough review of its email content and identified the frequent use of high-risk spam trigger words, particularly in its promotional campaigns.
• Content Revision: They replaced aggressive marketing language with more nuanced, value-focused content. For instance, “Act now to receive a free trial” was changed to “Start your free trial today to explore our features at no cost.”
• List Segmentation: They refined their approach to list management by segmenting the audience based on user activity and engagement history, targeting content to fit the specific interests and behaviors of each segment.

Results:

• Quantitative Improvements: Post-implementation, the startup saw a 40% increase in email open rates and a 20% increase in click-through rates within the first quarter.
• Qualitative Feedback: The changes also resulted in positive feedback from customers, who noted that the emails felt more personalized and less intrusive.

Case Study: Retail Chain B’s Compliance and Deliverability Strategy

Retail Chain B’s Challenge:

• Initial Problem: Retail Chain B was flagged for spam at a high rate, with important promotional emails missing their target audience’s inboxes.
• Goals: To enhance compliance with email regulations and improve overall deliverability.

Action Steps Taken:

• Authentication Implementation: Retail Chain B implemented full SPF, DKIM, and DMARC protocols to authenticate their email sources, which helped in proving the legitimacy of their emails to Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
• Compliance Training: They conducted training sessions for their marketing team on GDPR and CAN-SPAM regulations to ensure all emails were compliant, focusing on the importance of consent and the right to unsubscribe.

Outcome:

• Deliverability Increase: These measures reduced the spam flagging rate by 35% and improved deliverability to nearly 90% within six months.
• Enhanced Reputation: Compliance with email regulations enhanced their reputation among subscribers and ISPs alike, leading to a sustained improvement in engagement metrics.

What to Do If Your Emails Are Flagged as Spam

Immediate and Long-Term Actions:

Step 1: Analyze and Adapt:

• Immediate Review: Conduct an immediate review of your email content and design. Look for overuse of capitals, excessive links, or large images that could trigger spam filters.
• Adjust Content Strategy: Simplify your email design and reduce the frequency of emails to decrease user fatigue and potential spam complaints.

Step 2: Engage with Your Email Service Provider (ESP):

• ESP Consultation: Consult with your ESP to understand specific issues they might detect, such as low sender scores or high complaint rates.
• Feedback Integration: Integrate ESP feedback to refine your email practices effectively.

Step 3: Strengthen Email Authentication:

• Protocols Check: Verify that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings are correctly configured to ensure that your emails are recognized as legitimate.
• Regular Updates: Keep these settings updated in response to any changes in your email sending domains or infrastructure.

Step 4: Maintain a Clean Subscriber List:

• Regular Cleansing: Periodically remove unengaged subscribers from your email list to maintain a high-quality recipient base.
• Re-engagement Campaigns: Occasionally run re-engagement campaigns to identify who still wants to receive your communications and clean your list accordingly.

Step 5: Apply for ISP Whitelisting:

• Whitelisting Application: If deliverability issues persist, apply for whitelisting with major ISPs to get a direct boost in email deliverability.
• Follow-Up: Regularly follow up on your whitelisting status and maintain compliance with ISP guidelines to retain this status.

By analyzing these real-world case studies and applying the comprehensive strategies outlined, businesses can significantly enhance their email deliverability and engagement. Each step, from strategic content revision to rigorous compliance and authentication, plays a crucial role in ensuring that emails reach their intended recipients effectively and efficiently.

Conclusion

Maintaining awareness of how spam filters work and the words they target is crucial for any email marketer’s success. By applying the tips and strategies discussed, you can ensure your emails reach their destination and your messages resonate with your audience.

Pro Tips

• Always test your emails with different providers to see if they land in the spam folder.
• Keep your content fresh and relevant, which helps improve both engagement and deliverability.

FAQs: 101 Email Spam Trigger Words That Hurt Deliverability

What words trigger spam emails?

Words that often trigger spam filters include “free,” “guarantee,” “risk-free,” and “urgent.” These words are commonly associated with promotional or misleading content, which can flag an email as spam.

What triggers a spam email?

Spam emails are typically triggered by specific words, excessive punctuation, and suspicious formatting. Spam filters also look at the sender’s reputation and whether the email content includes misleading or harmful links.

Is “free” a spam trigger word?

Yes, “free” can be a spam trigger word. It is frequently used in marketing to attract attention, but if overused or placed in a suspicious context, it can make an email look like spam.

What is a spam phrase?

A spam phrase is a string of words often used in spam emails. Examples include “Act now before it’s too late” and “Congratulations, you’ve won!” These phrases are generally designed to create urgency or lure recipients with offers that are too good to be true.

What flags email as spam?

Emails are flagged as spam for several reasons, such as the presence of spam trigger words, the inclusion of too many links or images, poor formatting, a lack of personalization, or coming from an unverified sender.

What does Gmail flag as spam?

Gmail flags emails as spam based on complex algorithms that consider factors like the sender’s reputation, user feedback on similar emails, the presence of known spam trigger words, and unusual formatting.

What is a trigger word?

A trigger word in the context of email marketing is a word or phrase that is likely to activate spam filters. These words often relate to aggressive sales tactics, urgency, or financial transactions.

Do emojis trigger spam?

Using an excessive number of emojis in an email can trigger spam filters. While a few emojis can be engaging when used sparingly, too many can make an email appear unprofessional or spammy.

Why do I get 20 spam emails a day?

Receiving multiple spam emails daily can result from your email address being shared or sold within lists commonly used by spammers. It may also indicate that your email filters need adjusting to more effectively block unwanted messages.