Your email subject line is all your prospects need to decide whether your email is worth opening, let alone reading. In about six to eight words, you must wow them into believing your email has must-read insights that will benefit them. Since you can’t afford to get it wrong, you should choose your words wisely.
With that kind of pressure placed on email subject lines, it’s easy to overthink it. There are also a lot of spam trigger words to avoid. So, how can you keep track of them? Well, here is the good news. We compiled a list of the most common trigger words to make your work easier.
But that’s not all! You’ll also get a deeper understanding of the role subject lines play in the success of your email campaigns and tips for writing a killer subject line that will get you results. Let’s start with…
Which words should you avoid in the subject line of your email?
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Unfortunately, the answer is not straightforward. While some words and phrases are associated with spam words, it mostly depends on how you use them. For example, adding one trigger word like “free” in your subject line may not be enough to trigger spam filters or negatively impact your email campaign.
However, constantly using a series of spam words in your subject line will most likely land your emails in the spam folder. For example, using exaggerated language or making bold claims to clickbait your prospect is a sure way to get on email blacklists. So, it’s important to know which words or phrases to avoid or how to use them and bypass the spam filter.
With that said, here is a list of the most common email spam trigger words to avoid in your email subject lines, especially for marketing emails:
Money-related terms
| Best price | Get rid of bad credit | No credit check |
| Consolidate debt and credit | Money back guarantee | One hundred percent guaranteed |
| Cents on the dollar | No initial investment | Save big money |
| Earn extra cash | No hidden costs | Online biz opportunity |
Marketing-related terms
| [X] percent free | Join Millions | Risk-free |
| Auto email removal | Search engine listings | Search engine listings |
| Be your own boss | Multi-level marketing | Shopping spree sign |
| Free call | Sign up free today |
General terms
| Dear Friend | Not spam |
| Instant access | Hi [Name] |
Medical-related terms
| Reverse aging | Lose weight |
| No medical exams | Human growth hormone |
To learn more about spam triggers and how to avoid them, read our insightful article “Why Are My Emails Going to Spam and How to Avoid the Spam Folder.”
How do you check if your subject line is spammy?
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There are many free online tester tools that you can use to check if your email subject lines contain spam trigger words. For example, Inboxally’s free Email Spam Checker looks at your entire email, including your subject line, to identify any risky words. We offer a free detailed audit and deliverability report that helps you identify and correct any issues with your content. Stay on the best terms with mailbox providers. Try our free tool today!
Why Subject Lines Are Important For Email Deliverability?
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As you may know, a subject line is the first interaction your recipient has with your email. It determines whether or not your email will be opened. If your open rates drop due to poorly written subject lines, then your sender’s reputation is negatively impacted and that lowers your deliverability rate.
Email service providers look for triggers in the entire email, starting with the subject line. Carelessly using any of the spam words mentioned above in your subject lines means your email will never reach your recipients’ inboxes. As a result, your deliverability rate reduces significantly if your emails constantly end up in the spam folder.
But don’t worry. Even if you can’t master writing the perfect subject lines yet or are already stuck in spam, a reliable email deliverability tool like Inboxally can help you get out and stay out of spam folders. Our actionable insights, based on data-driven decisions, will help you reduce your spam complaints, increase open rates, and improve your email deliverability. Try our starter package for free!
Not ready to commit? No problem. You can still learn about some of our tips for better deliverability rates by reading our detailed article: 11 Email Deliverability Best Practices.
Tips for Writing An Effective Spam-Free Subject Lines
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Now that you understand the consequences of a poorly written email subject line, here are some useful tips you can apply to ensure they are spam-free and effective:
- Keep it short and simple – don’t give away everything; save some meat for the email body. But also avoid unclear one-word email subject lines like “survey” or “Important.” An average of about 6-10 words should be enough to pique your prospect’s interest.
- Avoid ALL CAPS – it may come across as shouting. Some recipients may find it rude and it could trigger spam filters.
- Don’t overuse emojis – while it is true that subject lines with emojis have a 56% higher open rate, you should use them sparingly and only if it works for your brand. Using too many may seem unprofessional and could land you in the spam folder.
- No special symbols/characters – don’t use characters like #,$, or & unless you want to trigger spam filters. Also, use them sparingly in your email body to avoid the spam folders.
- No unethical marketing tricks – putting “RE:” or “FWD:” at the beginning of your subject line to trick your prospects into thinking they engaged with your email before will only break their trust in your brand.
Get more insight on writing the best subject lines by reading our article “3 Key Elements of Irresistible Email Subject Lines.”
Increase Your Open Rate With A Great Subject Line!
Avoiding spam trigger words is easy once you know the email spam words. Combine that knowledge with following the best practices, and you’ll be writing winning subject lines like a pro.
But even with a well-crafted subject line, you’ll still need help getting your email in front of the right people. That’s where we come in! We specialize in ensuring your emails always land in the right primary inbox.
Enjoy improved deliverability and watch your open rates double in 1-2 weeks. Contact us today!