In this blog, I’ll discuss types of email spam trigger violations and provide examples of words and phrases you should avoid, plus you can download the list of 750 spam trigger words.
Email marketing is a powerful tool, but if your emails keep landing in spam or the promotions folder, your efforts could be wasted. One of the primary reasons emails get flagged as spam is the use of certain words and phrases that trigger spam filters.
By avoiding these spam trigger words, you can greatly increase the chances of your emails reaching your subscribers’ inboxes.
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Types Of Spam Trigger Violations
Spam filters use complex algorithms to determine whether an email is legitimate or spam.
These filters look for patterns that indicate spammy or deceptive content.
Below are some of the most common categories of email spam trigger words and some examples.
1. Urgency and Pressure Words
Words that create a sense of urgency or pressure can be a red flag for spam filters. These phrases are often used in scam emails and aggressive sales tactics.
Examples:
- “Act now”
- “Limited time”
- “Hurry up”
- “Offer expires”
- “Time-sensitive”
- “Urgent”
- “Final call”
- “Click now”
2. Shady or Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers
Emails promising unrealistic benefits or making exaggerated claims are likely to get flagged. These words and phrases often indicate misleading content.
Examples:
- “Guaranteed winner”
- “Risk-free”
- “100% free”
- “No cost”
- “Earn $1,000 per day”
- “Miracle cure”
- “Lose weight fast”
- “No hidden fees”
3. Financial and Money-Related Terms
Emails that reference large amounts of money, financial transactions, or loans are a big red flag for spam filters. These words are commonly associated with scams.
Examples:
- “Free money”
- “Bank account”
- “Lowest price”
- “Cash bonus”
- “Instant earnings”
- “Billion dollars”
- “Reduce debt”
- “Increase your wealth”
4. Over-promising and Exaggeration
If an email makes exaggerated claims, spam filters will likely flag it. Avoid making over-the-top promises in your subject lines and email body.
Examples:
- “Best deal ever”
- “Amazing offer”
- “Unbeatable prices”
- “Get rich quick”
- “Explode your business”
- “Double your income”
- “Secret trick to success”
5. Suspicious Calls to Action
Phrases that push users to take immediate action aggressively can raise red flags for spam filters.
Examples:
- “Click here”
- “Open immediately”
- “Confirm your password”
- “Get it now”
- “Buy today”
- “Exclusive deal for you”
6. Unnatural or Deceptive Language
Emails that include unnatural phrasing, deceptive wording, or generic greetings can trigger spam filters. Emails should sound authentic and be addressed properly.
Examples:
- “Dear friend”
- “Congratulations, you’ve won”
- “Hidden charges apply”
- “Official notification”
- “Exclusive VIP invitation”
- “You have been selected”
Email Authority and Spam Trigger Words
As your email authority grows, you’ll gain the trust of both email providers and your audience. Email authority is built over time through consistent engagement, low bounce rates, and high open rates. When your emails are regularly opened and interacted with, spam filters begin to recognize your domain as trustworthy, making it easier to bypass strict filtering rules.
How Email Authority Impacts Spam Filters
- Higher engagement signals: A strong sender reputation reduces the chances of emails landing in spam folders.
- Greater flexibility: Established email senders can begin to incorporate some flagged words without negative consequences.
- Improved inbox placement: A history of clean email practices ensures better deliverability over time.
When to Reintroduce Certain Words
Once your email domain has built a strong reputation, you can cautiously begin using some words from the spam trigger list. However, it’s crucial to test their impact and monitor performance carefully.
Best Practices:
- Gradual implementation: Start by using a single flagged word in a well-performing email and track deliverability.
- Keep engagement high: Encourage replies and interactions to signal to email providers that your emails are valuable.
- Monitor spam complaints: If open rates drop or spam complaints increase, remove problematic words immediately.
- Balance with trusted content: Maintain authenticity by mixing promotional language with valuable insights or personalized messages.
By strengthening your email authority and gradually testing trigger words, you can refine your approach and optimize inbox placement while maintaining high open rates.
How To Avoid Spam Filters and Improve Deliverability
Avoiding spam trigger words is just one step in ensuring better email deliverability. Here are additional best practices to follow:
- Write like a human: Avoid robotic or overly salesy language. Use natural, conversational wording.
- Personalize your emails: Address recipients by their name and segment your audience for better engagement.
- Use a reputable email sender: Ensure you are using a trusted email service provider with a good reputation.
- Balance text and images: Emails that contain only images or too many links can be flagged as spam.
- Avoid excessive punctuation and capitalization: Writing in all caps or using too many exclamation marks (e.g., “BUY NOW!!!”) can trigger spam filters.
- Enable double opt-in: Confirming a subscriber’s intent to receive emails reduces spam complaints.
- Test before sending: Use email testing tools like Mail-Tester or GlockApps to check the likelihood of your email being marked as spam
My Conclusion To Email Spam Trigger Words
By avoiding common email spam trigger words and following best practices in email marketing, you can significantly improve your email deliverability rate and open rate.
Focus on providing valuable, personalized, and neutral-sounding content to keep your emails in the inbox where we want them.
Are you struggling with email deliverability? Share your experience in the comments below 🙂
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