Why mail goes to spam in php

The age-old problem of email going to spam!

There are many reasons why emails sent from a PHP script might end up in the spam folder. Here are some common causes:

  1. Invalid or missing headers: Make sure your email headers are properly formatted and include the necessary information, such as the sender's email address, subject, and date.
  2. Suspicious sender email address: If your sender email address is not properly configured or is not a valid email address, it may trigger spam filters.
  3. Unsolicited commercial email (UCE): If your email is promoting a product or service without the recipient's consent, it may be flagged as spam.
  4. High volume of emails: Sending a large number of emails in a short period can trigger spam filters.
  5. Poor content: Using spammy keywords, excessive use of capital letters, or poor grammar can trigger spam filters.
  6. Lack of authentication: Failing to authenticate your email using SPF, DKIM, or DMARC can lead to spam filters flagging your emails.
  7. Blacklisted IP: If your server's IP address is blacklisted, it can prevent your emails from being delivered or flag them as spam.
  8. Unusual email content: Sending emails with unusual content, such as excessive use of HTML or images, can trigger spam filters.
  9. Lack of opt-in: Failing to obtain the recipient's consent before sending them an email can lead to spam filters flagging your emails.
  10. Outdated PHPMailer: Using an outdated version of PHPMailer can lead to issues with email delivery and increase the likelihood of emails being flagged as spam.

To minimize the risk of your emails going to spam, you can:

  1. Use a reputable email service provider (ESP) that has a good reputation and is compliant with anti-spam laws.
  2. Use a valid and properly configured sender email address.
  3. Include a clear and concise subject line and body.
  4. Use a legitimate and relevant from name and email address.
  5. Avoid using spammy keywords or excessive capital letters.
  6. Use authentication mechanisms like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
  7. Monitor your email delivery and adjust your sending strategy accordingly.
  8. Obtain the recipient's consent before sending them an email.
  9. Use a reputable PHPMailer library and keep it up to date.
  10. Test your email sending code and adjust it to comply with anti-spam laws and best practices.

Remember, it's essential to comply with anti-spam laws and best practices to ensure your emails are delivered to the inbox and not the spam folder.