|
Question: If FREE is such a bad word to use in an email subject line or in the message, why do I get so many emails in my own inbox that say "free shipping?" Shouldn't they all go to my junk folder?
Answer: It usually takes more than a moderate use of the word "free" in a message subject line or content to trigger a spam filter or block. A few years ago, however, when content scoring was less sophisticated, many ISPs and corporate email servers blocked unwanted email that contained even one word associated with spam like "free." So, any email message, even personal email or messages coming from trusted sources, was filtered to the junk folder or banned outright.
Today, content-scoring programs such as SpamAssassin look at multiple factors that make up a possible spam or fraudulent message and assign points each time a factor matches one of its filters. If the total point value exceeds the ISP or email server's allowed limit, the message will get blocked or filtered as spam. One use of "free" usually isn't enough to trigger a block or filter. However, if you have enough other problems, such as broken HTML coding, and if you use the word many times or in all capital letters, the fraction of a point you get penalized could put you over the limit.
For more information:
1. Tune Up Your E-Mail Program With SpamAssassin
2. Basics of Email Content Filtering
|
