Avoid These Email Subject Line SPAM Trigger Words
You’ve set your marketing campaign strategy and crafted the perfect email to send to your current and prospective customers. You click send, but then you notice that 65% of your emails were marked as spam and never reached your targets.
After all that planning there was one important consideration that was not taken into account: the subject line.
47% of recipients open emails based on subject lines alone¹. Subject lines are the first thing an individual sees and is the determining factor on whether or not your email is opened.
Trigger words in subject lines are known to cause problems and increase the chances of your email getting caught in a SPAM trap.
By following our best practices and avoiding these words in your email subject lines, you can dramatically increase your chances of getting beyond SPAM filters and in front of REAL people.
DON’T be too personal
Emails with personalized subject lines generate 50% higher open rates². However, you don’t want to be too personal. Be sure to keep your subject lines friendly and professional.
Trigger words in this category include:
| + DEAR [EMAIL/FRIEND/SOMEBODY] | + FRIEND | + HELLO |
| + WE HATE SPAM | + HOT SINGLES IN YOUR AREA | +YOU’RE IN LUCK |
DON’T oversell
Customers want to hear about your product and services in an organic way. In fact, 59% of consumers say that email marketing influences their purchasing decisions³. Keep this in mind when crafting your offer.
Trigger words in this category include:
| + SPECIAL OFFER – TODAY ONLY | + INSTANT ACCESS, NO DEPOSIT NECESSARY | + 1000X BETTER THAN |
| + YOU NEED THESE ASAP | + THESE DEALS HAVE YOUR NAME ON THEM | + DON’T MISS OUT! GREAT DEALS |
DON’T sound like a scam
The fastest way to not land in an inbox is if your subject line sounds like a scam. Remember, your offering should be organic and appeal to the reader. Avoid phrases that would be found in an “as seen on tv” infomercial.
Trigger words in this category include:
| + WINNER | + YOU’VE BEEN SELECTED! | + YOU’RE A WINNER! |
| + SHOPPING SPREE | + PRIZES | + GIVING AWAY |
| + THIS ISN’T JUNK | + THIS ISN’T SPAM | + WILL NOT BELIEVE YOUR EYES |
| + FREE MONEY | + FREE CELL PHONE | + NO STRINGS ATTACHED |
DON’T sound too urgent
Subject lines should pose a need to the reader, but not instill a sense of urgency or fear. When crafting your subject line “pitch”, keep it simple and avoid any stressor words.
Trigger words in this category include:
| + TAKE ACTION NOW! | + LAST CHANCE | + VERY URGENT |
| + DO IT TODAY | + ACT NOW! | + WHILE SUPPLIES LAST |
| + ONCE IN A LIFETIME | + GET IT NOW | + RESPOND NOW |
DO follow this best practice
When crafting the perfect subject line, you may not intentionally know that you’re sending spam. However, if you use any of these words listed one too many times your email can be sent straight to your customers’ spam folder. To keep your deliverability rate high and your customers engaged with your message, be sure to refer to this list regularly to ensure you’re not engaging in unintentional spammy behavior.
¹ OptinMonster
² Yes Lifecycle Marketing
³ HubSpot
