Why does mail go into spam

The age-old question of why mail ends up in spam!

There are several reasons why an email might be flagged as spam by email providers, including:

  1. Keyword filtering: Spam filters look for specific keywords and phrases that are commonly used in spam emails, such as "make money fast" or "free gift." If an email contains these keywords, it may be flagged as spam.
  2. Sender reputation: If an email is sent from a sender that has a history of sending spam, the email is more likely to be flagged as spam. This is because the sender's reputation has been tarnished by their previous spamming activities.
  3. IP address: The IP address of the sender can also play a role in determining whether an email is flagged as spam. If an email is sent from an IP address that has been used to send spam in the past, the email is more likely to be flagged as spam.
  4. Content: The content of the email itself can also be a factor in determining whether it's flagged as spam. This includes things like:
    • Unusual formatting or layout
    • Unusual or misspelled words
    • Lack of personalization or relevance to the recipient
    • Urgency or scarcity tactics (e.g. "Act now or miss out!")
  5. Links and attachments: If an email contains links or attachments that are suspicious or unknown, it may be flagged as spam.
  6. Domain and URL: If an email is sent from a domain or URL that is known to be associated with spam, the email is more likely to be flagged as spam.
  7. User behavior: If a user marks an email as spam, it can affect the email's reputation and make it more likely to be flagged as spam in the future.
  8. Blacklisting: If an email is sent from a sender that is listed on a blacklist (a database of known spammers), the email is more likely to be flagged as spam.
  9. Greylisting: Some email providers use greylisting, which temporarily blocks emails from unknown senders to prevent spam. If an email is sent from an unknown sender, it may be flagged as spam.
  10. Algorithmic filtering: Email providers use complex algorithms to analyze the content and metadata of an email and determine whether it's spam or not. These algorithms can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the sender's reputation, the content of the email, and the user's behavior.

It's worth noting that email providers use a combination of these factors to determine whether an email is spam or not. They also continually update and refine their algorithms to improve their ability to detect and block spam.