We all hate spam. The last thing we want is for our emails to end up in the dreaded spam folder, never to be seen again. But unfortunately, that happens all too often. Why? Spam filters.

These automated programs are constantly scanning emails for "spam trigger words" that hint at questionable content.

With the right knowledge, you can steer clear of dangerous terms and keep your emails out of the spam folder.

In this blog post guide, we'll cover:

• How email spam filters work

• What is a spam score and why it matters

• The complete list of 101 common spam trigger words

• Actionable tips to avoid spam words and improve deliverability

The words you choose can sabotage your carefully planned email campaigns, look what happened to DockAtot, a global brand with 1 million subscribers that was sending every email directly to the spam folder.

We helped them get 100% deliverability right before Black Friday, saving months of work. Read the DockAtot case study here.

Let’s dive into it!

How Email Spam Filters Work

Spam filters analyze each incoming email and assign a "spam score" based on various factors:

Sender Reputation

One of the main things spam filters look for are blacklisted IP addresses and domains. Senders with poor reputations are more likely to be flagged as spam.

You can check your current IP and domain reputation using tools like MxToolbox and Talos Intelligence.

To build up a good sender reputation, be sure to use email authentication systems like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These help verify your identity as a legitimate sender.

Other tips include:

• Monitoring spam reports and unsubscribes

• Being transparent in your unsubscribe process

• Sending from a dedicated IP used only for email

• Follow best practices like list segmentation and personalization

User Engagement

Providers also look at user interaction metrics like open and click rates. If many users delete or ignore your emails, it can hurt your sender's reputation.

Link Quality

Too many links to low-quality sites raise spam flags. Only link to relevant, high-authority resources.

Image-to-Text Ratio

Too many images and little text is a common spam technique. Maintain an appropriate balance in your emails.

Spam Words

And of course, spam filters look for specific words and phrases commonly used in spam emails. Avoiding these "spam trigger" terms is key.

Advanced spam filters go beyond keywords and analyze writing style, tone, and context as well. The focus should be crafting emails that engage subscribers and provide value.

What is a Spam Score?

Spam scores are calculated by email providers to determine the "spamminess" of an email, ranging from 1 to 10.

• 0 to 2 - Very good, likely to reach the inbox

• 3 to 5 - Borderline, may go to inbox or spam

• 6+ - Likely to be marked as spam

*this is how email providers rank your emails

You can check your spam score using a free tool like Mail-Tester. It will rank your email based on your reputation as a sender.

Maintaining a good spam score is crucial for ensuring your emails reach the inbox, safeguarding your sender reputation, and boosting the engagement rates.

A good spam score helps avoid being blacklisted by ISPs and protects your brand image.

List of 101 Common Spam Trigger Words

1. Act now

2. Apply now

3. As seen on

4. Buy direct

5. Call now

6. Click below

7. Click here

8. Deal

9. Do it today

10. Exclusive deal

11. Get it now

12. Important information regarding

13. Instant

14. Limited time

15. New customers only

16. Offer expires

17. Order now

18. Please read

19. See for yourself

20. Sign up free

21. Take action

22. This won’t last

23. Urgent

24. While supplies last

25. Winner

26. Winning

27. You are a winner

28. You have been selected

29. 100% free

30. 100% satisfied

31. Additional income

32. Be your own boss

33. Best price

34. Big bucks

35. Billion

36. Cash bonus

37. Cents on the dollar

38. Consolidate debt

39. Double your income

40. Earn Money

41. Eliminate bad credit

42. Extra income

43. Expect to earn

44. Fast cash

45. Financial freedom

46. Free access

47. Free Consultation

48. Free Gift

49. Free hosting

50. Free info

51. Free Investment

52. Free Membership

53. Free Money

54. Free preview

55. Free Quote

56. Free trial

57. Full refund

58. Get out of debt

59. Get paid

60. Giveaway

61. Guaranteed

62. Increase sales

63. Increase traffic

64. Incredible deal

65. Lower rates

66. Lowest price

67. Make Money

68. Million dollars

69. Miracle

70. Money back

71. Once in a lifetime

72. One time

73. Pennies a day

74. Potential earnings

75. Prize

76. Promise

77. Pure profit

78. Risk-free

79. Satisfaction guaranteed

80. Save big money

81. Save up to

82. Special Promotion

83. Bulk email

84. Direct email

85. Direct marketing

86. Email harvest

87. Email marketing

88. Mass email

89. Multi-level marketing

90. No catch

91. No cost

92. No credit check

93. No fees

94. No gimmick

95. No hidden costs

96. No hidden fees

97. No interest

98. No investment

99. No obligation

100. No purchase necessary

101. No questions asked

Example of what to avoid

Tips to Avoid Spam Words in Your Emails

• Segment your lists based on user engagement to focus on highly engaged subscribers.

• Monitor spam reports and inbox placement tests to identify issues early.

• Avoid ALL CAPS and excessive punctuation like !!! which raises red flags.

• Limit links to high-quality, relevant resources to avoid low-quality flags.

• Send from a reputable domain to build up a good sender reputation.

• Carefully review all copies for hidden spam triggers before sending.

• Use double opt-in signup flows to verify subscriber consent.

For more details and examples on optimizing your email campaigns, check out this article on the best practices for Email Deliverability Success

Frequently Asked Questions

• What happens if my email gets marked as spam?

If your emails get flagged as spam, engagement metrics like open and click rates will drop. Subscribers may also unsubscribe or report your messages, hurting the sender's reputation. Continued issues can lead to blacklisting.

• How often should I monitor my spam score and reports?

Check your spam score at least monthly, or more often if sending large campaigns. Review spam reports after each significant email sent to catch problems early.

• What's the best way to avoid landing in the spam folder?

Combining tactics like list segmentation, authentication, monitoring metrics, avoiding spam words, and sending valuable content are most effective to maximize inbox placement.

Use a tool like Mission Inbox to maximize your email deliverability with automated warm-up processes and intelligent email verification.

Wrapping Up

Spam filtering can significantly impact email marketing results if not handled properly. By understanding how spam filters work and optimizing your campaigns, your emails will consistently reach the inbox.