Not Getting Filtered

This page is intended to help end-users better understand how to not have their email falsely intercepted by email filtering software. More recent and advanced filters are generally less prone to incorrectly block wanted email. However, the problem of false-positives is a reality for all products to some extent.

Consider if your email is discussing topics commonly promoted by spammers. I'm not suggesting that you should censor yourself; it's just that certain key phrases can trigger email blocking mechanisms. If you are prone to discuss subjects like human sexuality or the latest mortgage rates, you may want to make sure that you are on the recipient's "whitelist" ahead of time.

Avoid loading your message up with excess HTML, formatting or images. Spammers like to make their email messages look pretty for potential customers. Spam filters use this fact to help identify junk messages.

Avoid including extra-long URLs within your message. Spammers like to include tracking URLs within email messages to both monitor potential customers and provide the option to "unsubscribe." Your message may trigger a junk mail blocker if it includes enough long URLs.

Don't use Incredimail, Hotbar or similar email products. The reason for this is the same as the two prior suggestions. These products are basically designed to load up email with crap. No one likes getting 2 megabytes email messages with dancing dogs and background music. If not spam, these messages still constitute junk email. Be a good netizen, don't send junk email.

Avoid using a blacklisted ISP. SpamButcher doesn't use DNS blacklists by default, but a lot of other anti-spam products do. Using an ISP which is listed on major DNS blacklists can get your mail bounced or blocked. You can see what blacklists your ISP is on at drbcheck. Note that nearly all ISPs are on one or more minor blacklists.

Avoid lengthly disclaimers regarding your message. Notes regarding the copyright or other legal aspects of a letter can sometimes set off email content filter systems. Unfortunately, some legal entities like banks or law-firms are required to use them for legal reasons.

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