HTML Email do's and donts for Spam filters

obuwebco · #1 (**permalink**) 07-05-2005, 03:55 PM

We send out a small ezine very month to current and past prospects. We send in both HTML and text format..

My questions is what are some of the do's and donts of HTML email in regards to getting through spam filters. Spam assassin on our server flasg just about every peice of HTML email.. are the specific to be wary of, such as red fonts? images etc? I am sure there is a list somewhere of what NOT to do when sending HTML emails.

Thanks

InfoMiner · #2 (**permalink**) 07-05-2005, 04:48 PM

There are a "so many".

Sometimes, if you aren't emailing from a "White Listed" domain such as AOL/Yahoo/Hotmail/etc, using Rich Format (HTML) format even for a regular user will be a downfall. Spam wars are no joke people.

Here are a few points to consider:

- Make sure that HTML <code> takes only 15-20% of your message at most. Do not try to create a powerful and content rich body that has only a few words of actual text.

- Use <HTML><TITLE></TITLE><BODY></BODY></HTML> properly.

- Do not use colors that stand out too much. Like RED against a white background, or BRIGHT BLUE. Keep the colors to a minimum altogether.

- Do not use big and flashy letters. Cut down on BOLD, ITALIC, UNDERLINES, LARGE FONTS and all the rest of the garbage.

- Do not send out only images, remember to include text.

- Try to use as little formatting as possible. Like I've stated before, the more you try to put into the basket, the more the spam filters would not like it.

There are a many other filters you should consider that go in conjunction with HTML rules, which sometimes affect the total spam score in areas totally unrelated to HTML yet that are affected by the code. I'd have to look at the body of the message myself to let you know those little nasty snippets.

Remember, KEYWORDS, are your number one enemy. No "free" "subscribe" "unsubcribe" "buy" "adult" and other obvious "spam" keywords. Don't try to be smart and think that "fr33" or "fr.ee" will go through neither.

My two cents.

greeneagle · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2005, 03:11 AM

Don't forget the "stop-word" lists. Many words are "Stop-Word" listed by SE's and Spam Filters.

Ken

google junky · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2005, 01:52 AM

Aside from the html side of things. The header information would be a flag as well. Are you sending the newsletter from your computer and going through your ISP? Even if you are connected to your ISP but using a software to connect to your mail.domain.com it will still show the ip address of the ISP.

Many spam mail filtering systems block these emails thinking they are deceptive email relaying to navigate emails.
It is best to send using a script on your website and using the mail service on your domain rather than allowing your ISP in the headers of the emails.

If this isn't your situation then possibly this would help someone else.