Why is my mail suddenly going to junk?

Answered by Jason Smith

There could be several reasons why your mail is suddenly going to the junk or spam folder. Let’s explore some possible causes:

1. Spam Trigger Words: One reason could be that your email contains words or phrases that are commonly associated with spam. These trigger words include terms like “amazing,” “cancel at any time,” “congratulations,” “guarantee,” and many others. Email providers often use algorithms to filter out spam, and if your email includes too many of these trigger words, it may be flagged as spam.

2. Too Many Images: Another reason could be that your email contains too many images. Emails with excessive images are often seen as promotional or marketing emails, which can increase the chances of them being marked as spam. It is recommended to strike a balance between text and images in your emails.

3. Lack of Physical Address: Email providers also look for the presence of a physical address in the email. If your email is missing a physical address, it may raise suspicions and increase the likelihood of it being marked as spam. Including a valid physical address in your email footer can help improve deliverability.

4. Large Attachments: If your email includes too many attachments or large file sizes, it can trigger spam filters. This is because spammers often use attachments to distribute malicious content. Try to limit the number and size of attachments in your emails, or consider using file-sharing services instead.

5. Sender Reputation: Email providers also take into account the reputation of the sender’s domain and IP address. If your domain or IP address has a poor reputation due to past spamming or suspicious activity, your emails may be automatically filtered into the junk folder. It’s important to maintain a good sender reputation by following email best practices and avoiding activities that could be flagged as spam.

To improve the deliverability of your emails and reduce the chances of them going to the junk folder, you can take the following steps:

– Avoid using excessive trigger words and phrases commonly associated with spam.
– Balance the use of images and text in your emails.
– Include a valid physical address in your email footer.
– Be mindful of the number and size of attachments you include.
– Monitor and maintain a good sender reputation.

It’s worth noting that email filtering can vary between different email providers, so what may be considered spam by one provider might not be flagged by another. Regularly check your spam folder for legitimate emails and mark them as “not spam” to help train the email provider’s filter.