3. Poor Engagement Rates

Engagement rates are a barometer for your email content’s effectiveness and relevance. High engagement indicates that your emails resonate with your audience, while low engagement can signal a disconnect. However, beyond just reflecting the success of your email campaigns, engagement rates also play a pivotal role in determining the deliverability of your emails.

Spam filters pay close attention to how recipients interact with emails. When an email garners low engagement, it sends a clear message to these filters:

• Deleting Without Reading: If a significant portion of your recipients consistently deletes your emails without opening them, it’s a strong indication that your content might not be resonating or is deemed irrelevant. For instance, if you send a weekly newsletter and notice a pattern where a large segment of your audience consistently deletes it without reading, it’s a sign that the content might need revisiting.

• Marking as Spam: This is a direct and clear feedback mechanism for spam filters. When users frequently mark your emails as spam, it affects the deliverability of your future emails to that particular user and can also impact your overall sender reputation. For example, if you launch a new product campaign and a higher-than-average number of recipients mark it as spam, it’s a clear signal that the campaign might be perceived as too aggressive or not in line with your audience’s expectations.

• Lack of Interaction: Beyond just deleting or marking as spam, other interactions, or the lack thereof, can also influence how spam filters view your emails. If your emails are consistently left unopened or if recipients don’t engage with the content (e.g., by not clicking on any links), it can further lower your engagement metrics.

Low engagement rates don’t just reflect a potential misalignment with your audience; they also have tangible consequences for your email deliverability. By closely monitoring these engagement metrics and adapting your email strategies based on feedback, you can ensure that your messages reach the inbox and resonate with your audience.

4. Poor List Quality

The quality of your email list is a foundational element in the success of any email marketing campaign. While it might be tempting to amass a vast list of recipients, the true value lies in the quality and relevance of those contacts. A poorly maintained email list can have far-reaching consequences for the specific campaign at hand and your overall email deliverability.

Here’s how poor list quality can impact your email marketing efforts:

• Inactive Accounts: Sending emails to no longer used accounts is akin to shouting into the void. Not only do these emails go unread, but a high bounce rate due to inactive accounts can alert spam filters to potential issues. For instance, if you’ve acquired an email list that hasn’t been updated in years, you might find a significant portion of those emails bouncing back, signaling to email service providers that your list quality is subpar.

• Non-Opted-In Recipients: It’s a cardinal rule in email marketing: always get explicit permission before sending marketing emails. Sending unsolicited emails can lead to a high number of spam reports. Imagine launching a new product campaign and sending it to a list of users who never signed up for your communications. In terms of marked spam, the backlash can be substantial and damaging.

• Stale Lists: Even if recipients once showed interest, preferences and needs change over time. If you’re sending emails to a list that hasn’t engaged with your content in a long time, it can lead to low open rates and high unsubscription rates. For example, if you’ve been sending monthly newsletters to a list that hasn’t interacted with your content in over a year, it might be time to re-evaluate and refresh that list.

Maintaining a high-quality email list is not just about maximizing immediate campaign success; it’s about safeguarding your sender reputation in the long run

5. Misleading ‘From’ Information

Recipients want to know who’s communicating with them, and the ‘From’ field is their first point of reference. However, when this information is misleading or appears generic, it erodes trust and can trigger spam filters, jeopardizing your email’s deliverability.

Here’s how misleading ‘From’ information can impact your email campaigns:

• Inaccurate Sender Names: Using a name that doesn’t align with your brand or the content of the email can be confusing for recipients. For instance, if you’re a company named “TechGadgets” but your emails come from “John’s Discount Deals,” recipients might be wary of the mismatch, leading to increased spam reports.

• Generic Email Addresses: Using generic email addresses like “[email protected]” or “[email protected]” can make your emails appear impersonal and less trustworthy. Personalized or department-specific email addresses, such as “[email protected]” or “[email protected],” are more likely to be recognized and trusted by recipients.

• Domain Mismatches: If your ‘From’ email address domain doesn’t match the domain of the content or the company it claims to represent, it’s a significant red flag. An email claiming to be from “TechGadgets” but sent from an “@genericmail.com” address, rather than “@techgadgets.com,” can be perceived as potentially malicious.

The ‘From’ information is more than just a name or an address; it’s a representation of your brand’s identity in the email space. Ensuring its accuracy and consistency is crucial for building trust with your audience and ensuring your emails successfully navigate the intricate web of spam filters.

6. Overuse of Images

While images can be powerful tools to convey messages and capture attention in email marketing, an over-reliance on them can backfire. Emails that are heavily dominated by images, particularly with scant accompanying text, can run afoul of spam filters, leading to decreased deliverability.

Here’s how the overuse of images can impact your email campaigns:

• Image-to-Text Ratio: An optimal balance between text and images is crucial. Emails that are almost entirely made up of images with very little text can be perceived as spammy by filters. For instance, a promotional email that showcases multiple product images but lacks product descriptions or any other textual content might not make it to the recipient’s inbox.

• Large Image File Sizes: Emails with heavy image files can slow down the loading time for recipients, leading to a poor user experience. Moreover, spam filters might flag emails with excessively large images as they can be seen as an attempt to “bloat” the email. There are many ways around sending large email files without triggering spam filters.

7. Suspicious Attachments or Links

With the rise of phishing attacks and email malware distribution, users and email service providers have become increasingly vigilant. Emails containing suspicious attachments or links can quickly raise red flags, leading to them being intercepted by spam filters or outright rejected.

Here’s how these elements can impact your email campaigns:

• Multiple Attachments: While sending attachments via email is common, bombarding recipients with multiple files can be perceived as suspicious. For instance, a promotional email that contains several PDFs, Word documents, and Excel sheets might be flagged, especially if the recipient isn’t expecting such content.

• Link Shorteners: While link shorteners can be useful for tracking and aesthetics, they can also mask the final destination URL. This obfuscation can be problematic as recipients and spam filters cannot immediately discern the legitimacy of the link. An email containing multiple shortened links, like “bit.ly/xyz123” or “goo.gl/abc456”, might be treated with caution by spam filters.

• Dubious Domains: Linking to domains with a questionable reputation or those known for hosting malware can severely impact your email’s deliverability. For example, if you’re promoting a third-party product in your email and link to a site that has been flagged for malicious activities in the past, your email might be intercepted by spam filters.

• Mismatched Link Text and URLs: Displaying one URL as the link text but directing users to a different destination when they click can be seen as deceptive. For instance, if the link text reads “Visit TechGadgets” but directs users to a completely unrelated site, it can raise suspicions.

• Overloading with Links: Adding an excessive number of links in your email can hurt its deliverability. Spam filters might perceive it as a potential phishing attempt or as spammy behavior. For instance, if an email contains 20 different links directing users to various products, offers, and external sites, it can overwhelm recipients and raise alarms for spam filters. It’s essential to maintain a balance and only include relevant and necessary links

8. Content with Spammy Words

The heart of any email lies in its content, the message you’re eager to share with your audience. Yet, within this very content are potential snares that can unintentionally flag your email as spam. Using certain terminologies, expressions, or patterns that are frequently linked with spammy behavior can activate spam filters, diminishing your email’s chances of reaching the inbox.

Here’s how these spam triggers in content can influence your email campaigns:

• High-Risk Terminologies: There are words and expressions that, due to their overuse in spam or phishing emails, are seen as warning signs by spam filters. Examples include:

  • “Amazing offer!”

  • “You’ve struck gold!”

  • “100% satisfied”

  • “No strings attached”

  • “Exclusive deal”

  • “Trust us, it’s legit”

• Overly Salesy Language: Using overly aggressive sales language, especially if it promises unrealistic benefits, can be a red flag. Phrases such as:

  • “Act now for huge discounts!”

  • “Never-before-seen opportunity!”

  • “Massive blowout sale!”

• Financial Baits: Content hinting at quick financial benefits or pressing financial actions can raise suspicions. Examples are:

  • “Double your money”

  • “Best investment rates”

  • “Immediate payment required”

• Exaggerated Promises: Making claims that seem too grand or unrealistic can not only make recipients skeptical but also alert spam filters. Statements like:

  • “Shed 15 pounds in 3 days!”

  • “Revolutionary solution found!”

While the aim is to create content that captures attention and engages, it’s vital to be mindful of words that may potentially trigger spam. Staying updated on these triggers and periodically testing your email content can ensure your communications are both compelling and spam-filter-friendly.

9. Sloppy HTML Coding

It’s not just about the visual aesthetics; the underlying HTML code that structures your email plays a pivotal role in its deliverability. Sloppy or poorly constructed HTML can inadvertently flag your email as spam, causing it to be sidelined by spam filters and never reach your intended recipients.

Here’s how subpar HTML coding can impact your email campaigns:

• Direct Copy-Pasting: Emails that appear as though they’ve been directly copied from word processors can be problematic. Such actions often bring along a slew of unnecessary tags and messy code. For example, copying content directly from Microsoft Word into an email template can introduce proprietary tags that don’t align with standard HTML practices.

• Broken or Incomplete Tags: An email with HTML tags that are not closed properly or are mismatched can be a red flag for spam filters. For instance, having multiple opening <div> tags without corresponding closing </div> tags can disrupt the email’s structure and raise suspicions.

• Excessive Use of Inline CSS: While inline CSS can be useful, over-reliance on it, especially when it’s redundant or repetitive, can make the email’s code look cluttered and spammy. An email with every paragraph styled individually with inline CSS, instead of using a unified style, can be perceived as poorly coded.

In essence, the backbone of a successful email lies in its coding. Test your email’s HTML to be free from redundant tags, and adheres to best practices. Not only does it ensure optimal rendering across various email clients, but it also significantly reduces the chances of your email being flagged as spam.

10. Lack of an Unsubscribe Link:

While the goal is to engage and retain subscribers, it’s equally essential to provide them with a clear and straightforward way to opt out if they choose to. Failing to include an unsubscribe option, or making the process convoluted can have repercussions that extend beyond just one dissatisfied recipient.

Here’s how the absence of an unsubscribe option can impact your email campaigns:

• Increased Spam Reports: If recipients can’t find an easy way to stop receiving your emails, they might resort to marking them as spam. For instance, a monthly newsletter that doesn’t offer a clear unsubscribe link might see a spike in spam reports from recipients who no longer wish to receive it but can’t find a way out.

• Legal Implications: In many jurisdictions, including under regulations like the CAN-SPAM Act in the U.S., it’s mandatory for commercial emails to provide a clear unsubscribe mechanism. Failing to do so can lead to legal consequences and hefty fines.

• Impact on Sender Reputation: Email service providers monitor various metrics, including spam reports. A high number of spam reports, which can result from the absence of an unsubscribe option, can tarnish your sender reputation, leading to reduced deliverability in the future.

Understanding these triggers is the first step in ensuring your marketing emails reach their intended audience. By tailoring your email strategies to navigate these potential pitfalls, you can significantly improve your email deliverability.

How Do I Stop My Emails From Going To Spam?

Ensuring that your emails land in the recipient’s inbox and not the dreaded spam folder is a common concern for many marketers. With the intricate web of spam filters and ever-evolving algorithms, achieving consistent email deliverability can seem like a daunting task. However, by understanding the factors that influence deliverability and implementing best practices, you can significantly enhance the chances of your emails reaching their intended destination.

Here are some strategies to prevent your emails from being flagged as spam:

• Proper Email Authentication: Implement authentication mechanisms like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These protocols validate that the email has indeed been sent from your domain and hasn’t been tampered with during transit.

• Maintain a Clean Email List: Regularly prune your email list for hygiene to remove inactive subscribers or those who haven’t engaged with your emails in a long time. Sending emails to non-existent or inactive accounts can hurt your sender reputation.

• Provide a Clear Unsubscribe Option: Always include an easy-to-find and straightforward unsubscribe link in your emails. This not only complies with regulations but also reduces the chances of recipients marking your email as spam.

• Avoid Spammy Content: Be cautious with your choice of words, especially in the subject line. Avoid using overly promotional language or phrases commonly associated with spam. For instance, steer clear of terms like “guaranteed profit,” “risk-free,” or “click below to win!”.

• Optimize Your Email’s HTML: Ensure that your email’s HTML code is clean and free from errors. Avoid copying content directly from word processors, which can introduce unnecessary tags.

• Monitor Engagement Rates: Keep an eye on metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and bounce rates. Low engagement can be a sign that your emails aren’t resonating with your audience or are being flagged by spam filters.

• Ask Subscribers to Whitelist You: Encourage your subscribers to add your email address to their contacts or whitelist it. This can help bypass certain filters and ensure your emails land in the inbox.

• Test Before Sending: Use tools and platforms that allow you to test how your email appears across different email clients and whether it’s likely to be flagged as spam.