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Why Do My Emails Go to Spam

Why Do My Emails Go to Spam?

6 mins

If you’re like most people, you rely on email to communicate with your friends, family, and colleagues. But what if your emails are regularly ending up in your recipients’ spam folders? If this is happening to you, don’t worry – you’re not alone. 

It’s likely that your email provider has determined that your messages are not being sent from a legitimate email address.

This is often the result of using a free email service like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.com, since these providers are much more likely to identify a message as spam if it’s sent from an address that is not associated with that provider.

The best way to avoid your messages from going to spam is to use an email address that is hosted by your own domain name.

Which Emails Are Considered As Spam Emails?

Have you ever wondered which emails are considered as spam emails? Most people would think that any email which is unsolicited and sent in large quantities can be classified as spam but this is not always the case. To better understand what makes an email a spam email, let’s take a look at some of the most common characteristics:

WHICH EMAILS ARE CONSIDERED AS SPAM EMAILS
  • The sender’s identity is hidden or obfuscated in some way. This is usually done by using a free email service that doesn’t require a valid name or by using a fake name.
  • The subject line of the email is designed to entice the recipient to open it, often using misleading information or promises of something free or worth more than it actually is.
  • The email contains little to no original content and is mostly made up of links to external websites. These links are usually affiliated links that generate income for the sender when clicked on.
  • The email contains typos, grammatical errors, or poor English, indicating that it was not written by a native speaker. This is often done in an attempt to avoid spam filters that flag emails with these characteristics.
  • The email is sent from a suspicious domain name or IP address that has been used to send spam in the past. This indicates that the sender may have purchased a list of email addresses from a spammer.
  • The email includes attachments that may contain malware or viruses. This is done in an attempt to infect the recipients’ computers with malicious software.
  • The email is sent in bulk quantities to large numbers of people who have not requested it. This is the most obvious indicator that an email is a spam.
  • The headers of the email contain false information designed to fool spam filters into thinking that the email is not spam. This includes adding extra spaces or characters, changing the subject line after the email has been sent, and forging the “From” header so that it appears to come from a different sender entirely.
  • The message body of the email contains only an image, with no text included whatsoever. This tactic is often used by spammers because images cannot be scanned by spam filters in the same way that text can.

By understanding what qualifies as spam, you’ll have a better understanding of spam emails which should help you send regular emails.

What’s the Difference Between Spam And Regular Emails?

Most people know that spam emails are the ones that you never signed up for and are full of junk content.

Maybe you’ve even been unfortunate enough to have your inbox hacked, and your contacts spammed as well. But do you know how regular emails differ from spam?

For starters, regular emails come from companies or people that you’ve given your permission to email you. These include things like newsletters, updates from businesses or websites you’re subscribed to, or even receipts for online purchases.

Spam emails, on the other hand, come from sources that you don’t recognize and usually contain some sort of commercial content. This can be anything from ads and sales pitches to requests for money or personal information. 

Additionally, spam emails are often rife with grammar and spelling errors, while regular emails tend to be free of such mistakes.

Finally, spam emails typically have generic subject lines, while regular emails will have something specific related to their content.

By understanding these key differences, you can help keep your inbox free of junk mail.

Why Do Your Emails Go to Spam Folder?

Have you ever sent an important email only to have it go straight to the recipient’s spam folder? It’s a frustrating experience.

WHY DO MY EMAILS GO TO SPAM

Here are 5 of the most common:

  1. You’re using a free email service. Free email services are more likely to be used by spammers, so your messages are more likely to be flagged as spam. If you want to avoid the spam folder, use a paid email service.
  2. You’re using generic keywords in your subject line. Email filters are designed to catch messages with generic keywords like “free” or “win.” If you want your message to get through, be specific and use terms that are relevant to your content.
  3. You’re not using a Reply-To address. If you’re not using a Reply-To address, it’s harder for recipients to reply to your message, which can make it more likely to be marked as spam. Make sure you always include a Reply-To address in your emails.
  4. You’re using too many images. Email filters can sometimes flag messages with too many images as spam. To avoid this, use images sparingly and focus on quality over quantity.
  5. You’re not following best practices for email marketing. If you’re not following best practices for email marketing, your messages are more likely to be caught by filters and sent to the spam folder. Make sure you’re familiar with the do’s and don’ts of email marketing before sending out your next campaign.

How To Ensure Your Emails Don’t go to Spam Folder?

Did you know that nearly 25% of all emails sent are considered spam? This means that one in four emails ends up in the spam folder, never to be seen by the intended recipient. So, what can you do to make sure your emails don’t get caught in the spam filter?

Here are four simple steps to follow:

  • First, avoid using trigger words and phrases in your subject line. Words like “free,” “winner,” and “guarantee” are red flags for spam filters. Instead, try to use specific, actionable language that will interest your reader.
  • Second, keep your email content relevant and targeted. If you’re sending a promotional email, make sure it’s relevant to the interests of your recipient. Spam filters are designed to catch irrelevant or untargeted emails, so the more relevant your email is, the less likely it is to be caught by the filter.
  • Third, avoid using excessive exclamation points, ALL CAPS, and other “spammy” formatting. These may seem like harmless ways to add emphasis to your message, but they’re also red flags for spam filters. Stick to simple text formatting for the best results.
  • Finally, make sure your From name and email address are recognizable. If your From name is something generic like “[email protected],” there’s a good chance your email will be flagged as spam. Use a recognizable name or brand instead so recipients will know who the email is from at a glance.

Follow these simple steps and you’ll be well on your way to avoiding the spam folder.

Tips to Better Configure Your Emails

Most people don’t realize that there are a few things they can do to better configure their email settings so that their regular emails don’t go to the spam folder.

Here’re a few simple tips, you can ensure that your emails are delivered to your recipients without any problem.

First, make sure that you are using a reputable email service. There are many free email services available, but they are not all created equal. Some of them are known for delivering emails to the spam folder more often than others.

If you want to be sure that your emails will be delivered, it’s best to use a paid service like Gmail or Yahoo Mail.

Second, always use a consistent “from” name and address when sending emails. If you frequently change your name or email address, it will be more difficult for recipients to recognize your emails, and they may be more likely to mark them as spam.

Third, be careful about the content of your emails. Spam filters are designed to catch emails that contain certain keywords or phrases that are commonly associated with spam.

To avoid having your emails caught in the filter, avoid using words like “free” or “win” in your subject lines, and try to keep the body of your email focused on a single topic.

Fourth, avoid attaching large files to your emails. Spam filters often flag emails with large attachments as potential spam, so it’s best to avoid sending files that are over 1MB in size.

Finally, if you have a lot of contacts in your address book, make sure that they have all confirmed their subscription to your mailing list. If you send mass emails to addresses that haven’t been confirmed, it will increase the chances of your messages being marked as spam.

By following these simple tips, you can maximize the chances of your email being delivered successfully to its intended recipient.

Final Thoughts

In sum, email marketers should be aware of the different factors that could lead to their emails being considered spam.

Make sure you follow our tips below on how to configure your email settings and improve your deliverability.

By following the provided tips, you can ensure your marketing emails have a better chance of reaching your subscribers’ inboxes.

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MEET THE AUTHOR

Michael Fied

founder of webdev.com and SpamBurner

Michael Fied is the founder and CEO of webdev.com and SpamBurner. In addition, he’s an internationally top-rated and award-winning website advisor and website architect with a global team of 55. You can find Michael on LinkedIn or contact him directly here.

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