Spam trigger words — the honest version
The internet is full of '300 spam words to avoid' lists. The truth in 2026: content is a minor factor compared to authentication and reputation. But a few content patterns still hurt, and they're worth knowing.
Why mailbox providers enforce this
Filters learned long ago that spammers avoid obvious words. So content weighting dropped and authentication/engagement rose. Still, a message that's all-image with no text, riddled with link shorteners, or written like a 2005 phishing email gives filters an easy reason to downgrade an already-shaky sender.
How to fix it
- Keep a healthy text-to-image ratio — image-only emails are a classic spam pattern.
- Avoid URL shorteners and mismatched link text; use your own tracked domain.
- Don't shout: ALL CAPS, excessive !!!, and '$$$' still register.
- Make sure every link resolves and uses HTTPS.
- Fix authentication and reputation first — clean content can't rescue an unauthenticated, low-reputation sender.
Don't guess — measure it.
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FAQ
Will the word 'free' send me to spam?
On its own, no. A single common word from a well-authenticated, reputable sender is fine. Content only tips the balance when your reputation is already marginal.
What's the biggest content mistake?
Image-only emails with almost no text. Filters can't read the image, the message looks evasive, and engagement drops because images often don't load.
Related
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