Can my subject line be confused with spam?
If the subject line of your message reads like a subject line commonly used in spam messages then your list members (or their email filters) will likely confuse it with spam and possibly file complaints or block your future emails.
To improve the chances of your message getting opened AND to reduce the chances of someone filing a spam complaint against you, ask yourself these questions when composing your message's subject line:
- If you read only your subject line and nothing else, would it cause you to question if the email was legitimate
- Does the tone resemble the subject lines often found in spam?
- Does the subject line help list members recognize why they are receiving the email? Does the subject contain your brand name?
- Think about your subject line and message text very carefully before you send your message. Anything that screams of "in your face" advertising may generate spam complaints from your list members, even when using the double opt-in method for acquiring list members.
- Using terms below in your subject line or in the content of your message will likely be red flags to list members:
URGENT!
FREE!!!
Save $
Lowest Prices
Double Your Sales
!!!
***
$$$
Consider using your list name and a similar subject line each time you send a message. For example, many organizations use this format as their message's subject line:
Weekly Newsletter: newsletter's topic for that issue, the date.
If a list member sees something recognizable about you in the subject line, you will likely see an increased open rate while simultaneously reducing or eliminating spam complaints.
In addition, using personalization tactics such as first name mail merge tags (e.g.: <firstname>) in email subject lines is often confused with spam. Spammers started using this method of personalizing subject lines several years ago in order to mislead email recipients to open the emails. The method was overused and email users began to associate any such email as spam.
