This guide provides information that can assist to avoid you from being labeled as a spammer.
Since the beginning of the internet, we have been fighting spam. In fact, almost 86% of global email traffic is unsolicited junk mail (with approximately 400 billion spam messages sent every single day).
Fighting spam isn’t easy and sometimes the steps people take to protect themselves can impact your online communications. This, in turn, can have a significant impact on your business.
Avoid Phishing Phrases and Spam Trigger Words
When you’re composing client emails, always try and avoid typing phishing phrases and spam trigger words. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a complete list of trigger words to avoid, but here are some examples that can give you an idea:
- Member
- Sale
- Fantastic deal
- For free
- Act now! Don’t hesitate!
Ensure that you’re Compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act
Speaking of promotional emails, if you’re sending a commercial message to your customers, you’ll have to follow these rules to maintain compliance
- Avoid deceptive subject line
- Avoid using misleading header information
- Let recipients know where you’re located
- Inform your recipients how they can opt-out of receiving any future emails
- Immediately honor opt-out requests (the secret is to automate it)
- Keep track of what others do on your behalf
- Clearly identify the message as a promotional message
Include a Text Only Version of your Email
If you’re sending HTML emails, they can easily end up in the spam folder. An easy way to get around this is to add a text-only version of your email. Further, this will also help if the recipient can’t read the HTML email.
If you have to send images, make sure that you use a good image to text ratio. Here are some tips to help your images avoid the spam filter:
- Send a well-formed HTML for email
- Avoid image-only emails
- Do your best to optimize the images
- Include a minimum of two lines of text for every graphic used in the email
Ensure that Email Authentication is Enabled
Keeping email authentication enabled will help stop spam being generated from your email address (whether you’re aware of it or not). It’s a common tactic used by spammers, so it’s best to avoid spoof emails being sent from your domain.
TIP: For more information regarding email security please see related articles here.