While avoiding trigger words list is not a foolproof solution, it can certainly minimize the risk of emails being blocked by spam filters or major blacklists. (check Folderly expert guide on how to remove Spamhaus blacklist listing)
In this article, we'll delve into the world of email marketing spam triggers, including the latest list of spam trigger words and techniques to use them effectively without triggering spam filters.
Gmail protection service blocks over 100 million phishing emails daily. With this on mind, it becomes apparent why every part of your email, most notably the written part, needs to distinctly convey to spam filters (and your recipients, of course) that you are actually who you claim you are.
With these "ask yourself questions," you can quickly pinpoint problematic remarks, expressions, and singular words that are best avoided altogether.
Here’s what you should pay attention to:
β Do any of the words create a sense of urgency or pressure? Uurgency in subject lines increasesthe open rate by an average of 22%, but things like get started now are also typical red flags for spam filters (if not used smartly).
β Do you overpromise or make exaggerated claims? It’s all too easy to bloat your email with email marketing spam words like Double your income or 100% free (deceptive information also violates anti-spam laws).
β Do you mention money? In general, saying a recipient will earn extra cash, make $, or gain potential earnings is outright a no-no. Insightful statistics: 13.2% of spam email subject lines had the word “invoice” in them.
β Does anything sound unnatural? Certain phrases like dear friend or a simple hello without a name included just sound out of place, while others like check or money order or no hidden fees sound shady and/or unethical.
β Do you use words that are slang or jargon? Unless you’re emailing your friend or colleague, jargon and slang should be steered clear of at all times.
β Do you use terms and concepts that are not easy to understand?Multi-level marketing and online biz opportunity are prime examples of spam content that will immediately get picked up by spam filters.
β Do you say that your email isn’t junk? As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t have to point out to people that your email is legit. So, give a wide berth to this isn’t spam, not spam, and any other words that are so obvious.
Other Email Marketing Spam Triggers To Avoid
In addition to the trigger words list, it's smart to avoid the following spam trigges:
- ALL CAPS. It’s best practice (and common sense) to not use all-caps, as well as subsequent exclamation and question marks in the subject line or sections of your email. WRITING LIKE THIS!!! is a dead giveaway to spam-detecting software (and decreased reply rate by 30%. Plus, it’s just rude.
- Extreme punctuation. Don’t use special characters or symbols to stand out. Rephrase or use synonyms to stay out of trouble and in the desired inboxes. The chances are they are not displaying 100% correctly in all email clients. - Special characters ($ #).Rephrase or use synonyms to stay out of trouble and in the desired inboxes. The chances are special characters are not displaying 100% correctlyin all email clients. - Include strangely formatted fonts (πΏπππ ππΎππ ππ½πΎπ).Using unusual fonts can make text harder to read and may activate spam detection software. Also, don’t play much with italic font which takes 50% more time for people to read.
- Links and attachments.We are all against that, especially in cold emails. You really want first to get the conversation going and then you can follow up with case studies, with links, with information. You don't want to bombard your clients and trigger spam filters (Spam emails usually contain harmful attachments so spam filters are automatically triggered).
How To Use List of Trigger Words In Emails Safely (If Still Necessary)
There is a way you can use email spam trigger words while avoiding being labeled as a spammer.
The secret lies in the following:
Pay attention to frequency and context
Having a spam word or phrase here and there doesn’t immediately mean a visit to the spam folder. Thanks to AI and machine learning that constantly improve natural language understanding, spam filters have evolved beyond automatic blacklisting. These expanded spam filtering capabilities provide room to operate and sneak in a few attention-catching words.
If you write something like limited offer in a contextual manner that goes in line with the email’s flow, you’ll be fine. Use spam keywords sparingly and responsibly as you'll always be better off writing naturally rather than aiming to grab attention.
Write witty and surprising subject lines
For many, this is easier said than done because many spam and spam-ish words are actionable and create intrigue. Almost half of email recipients will open an email based on the subject line alone. Want to hear something else scary? More than two-thirds of email recipients report email as spam based solely on the subject line.
So, even if you manage not to trigger the spam filter, the subject line can make a difference in whether the email will be opened and received favorably by the recipient or labeled as spam.
Try to add a bit of humor as most people like to be amused, especially if you’re cold emailing (it’s not like they subscribed to you). Dad jokes are a good way to pique interest or restart the conversation. π
Also, try to hit on people's curiosity to get that click. Curiosity power words can awaken our natural sense of intrigue and thirst for knowledge. Words like spoiler, elusive, be the first, hush-hush, privy, and hidden are just some that can persuade the reader to discover what’s inside your email.
On top of that, spam filters just love eating mass emails for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Personalization typically drives more engagement and showcases to Gmail, Outlook, and the like that you're a trustworthy sender. As a result, more of your future emails will make it to the inbox, leading to more benefits down the road.
For starters, address the recipient by their first name. Do it in the subject line and the first few lines as it boosts open and click-through rates.
Next, write the entire email as if you’re writing to a friend. In doing so, your language will instinctively feel more realistic and unpretending, thus making your entire personalization effort feel more genuine.
Another thing you can try is to finish off witha personalized P.S. The purpose of it is twofold:
It’s a neat touch at the end of an email that shows you want to connect on a personal level.
In the eyes of spam filters, how an email looks matters because the text surrounding the spam phrase is important for context. Hence, refrain from strange or social media-like formatting and unrelated punctuation. Also, make sure that your copy is mobile-optimized since 62.13% of people will ignore or delete an email that doesn't work well on mobile.
Pro-tip: take a comprehensive approach
If you make a concerted effort to meet adopt guidelines, you can easily leverage some “classic” spam email words in your subject line and body. While a great starting point, a trigger words list is only a small element that prompts spam filters into action. There are other non-intuitive elements to learn to know how to prevent emails from going to spam.
Email deliverability requires a full-cycle approach (from setting up your domain up to best content practices during cold email outreach).
This is when additional help in the form of an email deliverability platform such as Folderly is more than welcome because it combines AI-powered automation and human approach to maximize email deliverability rates. Thanks to its mix of computer and human input, Folderly has unique capabilities that create a custom solution for any type of deliverability issue.
All-Encompassing List Of Spam Words and Phrases
It’s our hope that this updated spam trigger words 2023 will paint you a clearer picture of the way your email and textual content need to be structured for maximum deliverability.
100% more 100% off 100% satisfaction 100% satisfied 50% off
A
A few bob Accept cash cards Accept credit cards Acceptance Access Access for free Access now Accordingly Account-based marketing (ABM) Accounts Act Act immediately Act now Act now! Action
Action required Ad Additional income Addresses Addresses on CD Affordable Affordable deal All All natural All natural/new All new All-natural All-new Allowance Amazed
Amazing Amazing offer Amazing stuff Apply here Apply now Apply now! Apply online As seen on As seen on Oprah At no cost Auto email removal Avoice bankruptcy Avoid Avoid bankruptcy
B
Bad credit Bank Bankruptcy Bargain Be amazed Be surprised Be your own boss Become a member Before it's too late Being a member Believe me Beneficial offer
Beneficiary Best bargain Best deal Best offer Best price Best rates Beverage Big bucks Bill 1618 Billing Billing address Billion
Billion dollars Billionaire Bonus Boss Brand new pager Bulk email Buy Buy direct Buy now Buy today Buying judgements
C
Cable converter Call Call free Call free/now Call me Call now Call now! Calling creditors Can we have a minute of your time? Can you help us? Can't live without Can’t live without Cancel Cancel at any time Cancel now Cancellation required Cannot be combined Card accepted Cards accepted Cash Cash bonus Cash out Cash-out Cashcashcash Casino Celebrity Cell phone cancer scam
Cents on the dollar Certified Chance Cheap Cheap meds Check Check or money order Cialis Claim now Claim your discount Claims Claims not to be selling anything Claims to be in accordance with some spam law Claims to be legal Clearance Click Click below Click here Click me to download Click now Click this link Click to get Click to remove Collect Collect child support Compare Compare now
Compare online Compare rates Compete for your business Confidentiality Confidentiality on all orders Confidentially on all orders Congratulations Consolidate debt Consolidate debt and credit Consolidate your debt Contact us immediately Content marketing Copy accurately Copy DVDs Cost Costs COVID Credit Credit bureaus Credit card Credit card offers Credit or Debit Cures Cures baldness Cutie
DIAGNOSTICS Diet Dig up dirt on friends Digital marketing Direct email Direct marketing Discount Do it now Do it today Dollars
Don’t delete Don't hesitate Don't waste time Don’t hesitate Dormant Double your Double your cash Double your income Double your wealth Drastically reduced
E
Earn Earn $ Earn cash Earn extra cash Earn extra income Earn from home Earn money Earn monthly Earn per month
Earn per week Earn your degree Easy income Easy terms Eliminate bad credit Eliminate debt Email extractor Email harvest Email marketing
Exclusive deal Expect to earn Expire Expires today Explode your business Extra Extra cash Extra income Extract email
F
F r e e Fantastic Fantastic deal Fantastic offer FAST Fast cash Fast money Fast viagra delivery Final call Finance Financial Financial advice Financial freedom Financial independence Financially independent For free For instant access For just $ For just $ (amount) For just $xxx
For new customers only For Only For you Foreclosure Form Free Free access Free access/money/gift Free bonus Free cell phone Free consultation Free DVD Free gift Free grant money Free hosting Free info Free information Free installation Free Instant Free investment
Get Get it away Get it now Get it today Get Money Get now Get out of debt Get paid Get rid of debt Get started Get started now
Get started now. Get your money Gift card Gift certificate Gift included Give it away Giveaway Giving away Giving it away Gold Great
Great deal Great offer Greetings of the day Growth hormone Guarantee Guaranteed Guaranteed deposit Guaranteed income Guaranteed payment
H
Have you been turned down? Hello Hello (with no name included) Here Hidden Hidden assets Hidden charges Hidden costs
Hidden fees High score Home Home based Home based business Home employment Home mortgage Home-based
Home-based business Homebased business Hot babes Hottie Huge discount Human Human growth hormone Hurry up
I
If only it were that easy If you no longer wish to receive Immediately Important information Important information regarding Important notification In accordance with laws Income Income from home Increase Income Increase revenue
Increase sales Increase sales/traffic Increase traffic Increase your chances Increase your sales Incredible deal Info you requested Information you requested Initial investment Instant Instant earnings
Instant income Instant weight loss Insurance Insurance Lose weight Internet market Internet marketing Investment Investment advice Investment decision Invoice
J
Job alert Join billions
Join millions of Americans Join thousands
Join millions Junk
K
Kinky
L
Lambo Laser printer Last Day Leave Legal Legal notice Life Life insurance Lifetime Lifetime access Lifetime deal Limited Limited amount Limited number
Limited offer Limited supply Limited time Limited time offer Limited time only Loan Loans Long distance phone number Long distance phone offer Lose Lose weight Lose weight fast Lose weight spam Lottery
Mail in order form Main in order form Maintained Make $ Make money Mark this as not junk Marketing Marketing solution Marketing solutions Mass email Mature Medical Medicine Medium
Meet girls Meet me Meet singles Meet women Member Member stuff Message contains Message contains disclaimer Message from Million Million dollars Millionaire Millions Miracle
MLM Money Money π° Money back Money making Money-back guarantee Money-making Month trial offer Monthly payment More Internet Traffic Mortgage Mortgage rates Multi level marketing Multi-level marketing
N
Name Name brand Near you Never Never before New New customers only New domain extensions Nigerian No age restrictions No catch No claim forms No cost No credit check No credit experience No deposit required No disappointment
No experience No fees No gimmick No hidden No hidden costs No hidden fees No interest No interests No inventory No investment No investment required No medical exams No middleman No obligation No payment required No purchase necessary
No purchase required No questions asked No refunds No selling No strings attached No-obligation Nominated bank account Not intended Not junk Not scam Not spam Notspam Now Now only Number 1 Number one
O
Obligation Off Off everything Off shore Offer Offer expires Offer extended Offers Offshore Once in a lifetime Once in lifetime One hundred percent One hundred percent free
One hundred percent guaranteed One time One time mailing One-time Online biz opportunity Online business opportunity Online degree Online income Online job Online marketing Online pharmacy Only Only $
Open Opportunity Opt in Opt-in Order Order now Order shipped by Order status Order today Orders shipped by Orders shipped by shopper Outstanding value Outstanding values
P
Password Passwords Pay your bills Pennies a day Per day Per day/per week/per year Per month Per week Perfect Performance Phone Please Please open
Please read Potential earnings Pre-approved Presently Price Price protection Prices Print form signature Print from signature Print out and fax Priority mail Privately owned funds Prize
Prizes Problem Problem with shipping Problem with your order Produced and sent out Profit Profits Promise Promise you Purchase Purchase now Pure profit Pure Profits
Q
Quote
Quotes
R
Rate Rates Real thing Rebate Reduce debt Refinance Refinance home Refinanced home Refund Regarding
Requires investment Reserves the right Reverses Reverses aging Risk free Risk-free Rolex Round the world
S
S 1618 Safeguard notice Sale Sales Sample Satisfaction Satisfaction guaranteed Save Save $ Save $, Save € Save big Save big money Save big month Save money Save now Save up to Score Score with babes Search engine Search engine listings Search engine optimisation Search engines Section 301 See for yourself Seen on
Sent in compliance Serious Serious case Serious cash Serious offer Serious only Sex Sexy babes Shop now Shopper Shopping spree Sign up free Sign up free today Snoring Social security number Solution Soon Spam Spam free Special deal Special discount Special for you Special offer Special promotion Stainless steel
Steamy Stock alert Stock disclaimer statement Stock pick Stocks/stock pick/stock alert Stop Stop calling me Stop emailing me Stop further distribution Stop snoring Stops snoring Strong buy Stuff on sale Subject to Subject to cash Subject to credit Subject to… Subscribe Subscribe for free Subscribe now Success Super promo Supplies Supplies are limited
T
Tack action now Take action Take action now Talks about hidden charges Talks about prizes Teen Tells you it's an ad Terms Terms and conditions The best The best rates
The email asks for a credit card The following form They make a claim or claims that they're in accordance with spam law They try to keep your money no refund They're just giving it away This is an ad This isn't a scam This isn't junk This isn't spam This isn’t a scam
This won't last Thousands Time limited Timeshare Timeshare offers Today Top urgent Traffic Trial Trial unlimited
U
U.S. dollars Unbeatable offer Unbelievable Undisclosed Undisclosed recipient University diplomas
Urgent Urgent response US dollars US dollars / Euros
V
Vacation Vacation offers Valium
Very Cheap Viagra Vicodin
VIP Visit our website
W
Wants credit card Warranty Warranty expired We are legal We hate spam We honor all Web traffic Website visitors Weekend getaway Weight loss
What are you waiting for? What's keeping you? While available While in stock While stocks last While supplies last While you sleep Who really wins? Why pay more? Wife
Will not believe your eyes Win Win big Winner Winning Won Wonderful Work at home Work from home
X
Xanax
XXX
Y
You are a winner You have been chosen You have been selected
You will not believe your eyes You’ve been selected! Your chance
Vlad is a Founder & CEO of Belkins and Folderly, a series entrepreneur and investor with over ten years of management expertise in companies with 100 million evaluation. Vlad has years of experience building and growing service companies and SaaS startups in SalesTech and MarTech. He is skilled in creating successful businesses from the ground up and building top-notch teams that drive all ventures to the top of their industries.
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