Email as a powerful communication tool
Email has been one of the most effective tools for promoting events for years. From save-the-dates to last-minute updates and feedback surveys, email keeps your participants informed. But what if your carefully crafted emails are never seen? What if they end up directly in the spam folder? This issue is larger than you might think, and spam filters are getting smarter every day.
With 2025 on the horizon, where AI, spam, and digital security go hand in hand, it's crucial to know how to tackle these challenges. At aanmelder.nl, we help people every day to successfully deliver their emails. In this blog, we share essential tips and insights to ensure your emails don't end up in the digital trash.
What is spam?
Spam refers to unwanted emails ranging from harmless sales messages to dangerous attempts to steal personal information or spread viruses. Nearly half of all emails sent globally are spam, emphasizing the importance of online vigilance. Fortunately, email providers protect users by enforcing strict rules and placing unwanted messages in a special folder, making the overall email experience safer and more efficient.
What is a spam filter?
A spam filter is an advanced system that helps mail providers and users block unwanted and harmful emails. These filters analyze incoming emails and determine, based on various factors, whether an email should be marked as spam. The operation of a spam filter is a combination of automated algorithms and user-defined rules or preferences. Together, these measures work to keep spam out of the inbox as much as possible.
How does a spam filter work?
Spam filters analyze emails for different indicators that may signal unwanted or potentially harmful behavior. This is based on:
- Word analysis: Certain terms, like "free" or "win," can make an email appear suspicious.
- Sender reputation: Spam filters track how reliable a sender is, based on previous emails.
- Link and attachment inspection: The number and type of links or attachments in an email can affect how the filter evaluates it.
- Structure and formatting: Emails with an unusual amount of images, without sufficient accompanying text, are often flagged as spam.
Different spam filters for different users
Not all spam filters work the same way. Providers like Gmail or Outlook apply different standards to their filters. For example, Google might use stricter criteria for emails sent within corporate domains than for personal emails. Additionally, users can set up extra filters to refine their preferences.
Stricter filters for organizations
Certain organizations, such as government agencies or healthcare companies, use much stricter spam filters than the average user. This is because they handle sensitive data and cannot risk data breaches or phishing attacks. In some cases, these spam filters can even block emails before they reach the spam folder, thereby completely rejecting them.
The role of AI in spam filters
Spam filters are constantly evolving and increasingly utilize artificial intelligence (AI). This technology helps filters better and more quickly identify suspicious patterns in emails. However, spam filters are not perfect. It still happens regularly that legitimate emails are mistakenly marked as spam, causing them to end up in the spam folder unfairly.
Fortunately, you can avoid this by following a few simple steps. Discover how now and download the free whitepaper!
Tip 1: Your subject line as the first impression
The subject line of your email is one of the first things spam filters look at. Too many capital letters, excessive punctuation, or words like "Free" and "Buy now" can make your email appear suspicious. Keep it simple and avoid triggers that alert spam filters.
Tip 2: Personalization: The key to success
A personalized email not only has a better chance of capturing the recipient's attention but is also viewed more favorably by spam filters. Use tools to personalize your emails and ensure the content is genuinely relevant to the recipient. The more tailored your content, the less likely it is to end up in the spam folder.
Tip 3: Images and links: Use them wisely
Images can make your email more appealing but can also be marked as spam if you're not careful. Ensure that images don't take up more than 30% of the email and remember to add alt text for extra accessibility. With links, it's important to use them correctly: a maximum of three per email and always as hyperlinks.
Tip 4: Choosing the right software
Ultimately, the software you use plays a significant role in your email deliverability. By choosing an email platform that supports you in managing your sending reputation, like aanmelder.nl, you increase the chances of your messages landing in the recipient's inbox.
Want to learn more about optimizing your email strategy in 2024 and ensuring your messages don't get lost in the spam folder? Download our whitepaper "You vs. the Spam Filters" now and discover all the tips and tools you need to land your emails in the right place! Download the whitepaper for free.
