Spam Words to Avoid in Cold Email [2025]

In today’s digital marketing world, knowing how to avoid spam words in emails is key to making sure your cold outreach lands in the inbox and not in the spam folder. Email filters use advanced systems to scan for common spam phrases and other email spam detection words that often block campaigns before they even reach the reader, there are 45% of all emails end up in spam folders.

For marketers, keeping a list of words to avoid in email marketing and learning how to identify spam words can make the difference between success and wasted effort. It’s also important to understand spam words vs legitimate words, especially when writing subject lines.

This guide shares examples of spam words in emails and explains why marketing words that look like spam often trigger filters. You’ll also find best practices for avoiding spam filters, along with safer alternatives you can use instead.

Platforms like Mailgo, an AI-powered cold email solution, are designed to improve email deliverability by reducing risky wording and helping you send messages that sound natural and authentic.

What Are Spam Words and Why They Matter?

• Definition of spam words: Spam words are terms or phrases often flagged by email spam detection words lists because they are linked to unsolicited or deceptive messages. Email providers use advanced algorithms to scan for these common spam phrases to protect users from unwanted or harmful emails.
• Why it matters: If your cold outreach uses too many of these phrases, or uses them out of context, your message may land in the spam folder instead of the inbox. For companies running cold email marketing, deliverability is everything. Missing the inbox means fewer open rates, fewer clicks, and lost conversions.
• Solution: By using the right language and focusing on personalization and relevant content, you can significantly improve your chances of landing in the inbox and making a great first impression with potential leads.

Cold Email Spam Trigger Words to Avoid

Spam words generally fall into several categories, each with unique triggers that spam filters closely monitor:

1. Financial Triggers

In cold emails, words that promise quick money or free offers often trigger spam filters. Even if your service is real, these phrases look too much like scams. Using them can stop your email from ever reaching the inbox.

High-Risk Spam Words to Avoid

• 100% Free
• Guaranteed income
• Make money fast
• Extra cash
• Incredible deal
• Additional income
• Affordable
• Bargain
• Best price
• Big bucks
• Cash bonus
• Double your income
• Earn money
• Expect to earn
• Fast cash
• Free access
• Free consultation
• Free membership
• Incredible deal
• Lower rates
• Money back
• Pure profit
• Unsecured credit

Why these words trigger filters:

Words like “make money fast” or “guaranteed income” are common in scam or phishing emails. The goal of these phrases are often to deceive the recipient into sharing personal information or making impulsive decisions. To protect users from potentially harmful content, email platforms such as Gmail and Outlook use advanced algorithms that flag these terms, often causing the email to be redirected to the spam folder before the recipient even sees it.

Better strategy:

• Use numbers and case studies instead of slogans.
• Show real scenarios instead of bold promises.
• Keep the value but avoid absolute claims.

❌ Risky Phrases vs ✅ Safer Alternatives

2. Urgency & Pressure

In cold emails, too much urgency can look pushy and suspicious. Phrases that force people to “act now” or “don’t miss out” are often used in spam and can hurt deliverability. While urgency can work in sales, overusing these words makes filters block your email before anyone reads it. They may also create unnecessary pressure on readers, making the message feel stressful instead of helpful.

High-Risk Spam Words to Avoid

• Act now
• Limited time offer
• Offer expires
• Urgent
• Immediate action required
• Act immediately
• Call now
• Don't delete
• Expires soon
• Final offer
• Get it now
• Hurry up
• Instant access
• Offer ends soon
• Once in lifetime
• Only available today
• Order now
• Special promotion
• Today only
• Don't wait
• Last chance
• Offer expires
• Now or never
• Deadline approaching
• Response required
• Must read

Why these words trigger filters:

Spam filters often flag messages that sound like pressure tactics. Scams use words like “urgent” and “act now” to push people into quick actions, so email providers treat them as risky.

Better strategy:

• Use natural timelines instead of forceful deadlines.
• Be clear but polite about availability.
• Replace “urgent” with context, like “our calendar is almost full this week.”

❌ Risky Phrases vs ✅ Safer Alternatives

3. Promotional Language

Cold emails that sound too promotional can feel like ads instead of personal outreach. Phrases like “buy now” or “best deal” often appear in spam, so filters treat them as risky. It’s okay to talk about value, but balance is key. You need to focus on real benefits instead of loud slogans.

High-Risk Spam Words to Avoid

• Buy now
• Special promotion
• Discount
• Free gift
• Best price
• Best deal
• Deal of a lifetime
• Incredible
• Lowest price
• Premium
• Save big
• Risk-free

Why these words trigger filters:

Promotional phrases are common in mass advertising and spam. Filters see words like “best price” or “free gift” as red flags because they are overused in bulk sales emails.

Better strategy:

• Share value through examples, not slogans.
• Use clear, honest descriptions instead of hype.
• Replace “free gift” with “trial” or “walkthrough.”

❌ Risky Phrases vs ✅ Safer Alternatives

4. Health & Pharma Terms

Health-related claims are some of the biggest red flags for spam filters. Words like “miracle cure” or “lose weight fast” are heavily linked to scams and fake promises. Even if your product is real, using these terms in cold emails can get your message blocked right away.

High-Risk Spam Words to Avoid

• Lose weight
• Miracle cure
• Diet pills
• Fast results
• Pharmaceutical breakthroughs
• Magic pill
• No exercise needed
• Anti-aging
• Doctor approved
• Health guarantee
• Natural remedy
• New discovery
• Revolutionary treatment
• Test results

Why these words trigger filters:

Spam filters target health-related claims because scams often promise quick fixes, magic pills, or guaranteed results. These words are overused in fake promotions, so email systems block them automatically.

Better strategy:

• Focus on habits, lifestyle, or expert support instead of “miracle” solutions.
• Use real data or testimonials rather than bold medical claims.
• Replace hype words with practical, everyday benefits.

❌ Risky Phrases vs ✅ Safer Alternatives

5. Suspicious Links/Attachments

Cold emails that push people to click links or open files are seen as high risk. Words like “click here” or “open attachment” are linked to phishing scams, so filters block them fast. Instead of forcing action, guide readers with context and let them decide.

High-Risk Spam Words to Avoid

• Click here
• Download immediately
• Open attachment
• Access now
• Direct access
• Download free
• Instant download
• See details
• Submit information
• Visit our website
• Follow this link
• Go here now
• Join now
• More details
• Read more
• Watch video

Why these words trigger filters:

Spam filters mark phrases like “click here” or “open attachment” as dangerous because scammers use them to trick people into harmful actions. Even normal links can look suspicious if the wording is too pushy.

Better strategy:

• Be clear about what the link contains instead of saying “click here.”
• Mention file type or purpose if sharing an attachment.
• Let readers choose, don’t pressure them to act right away.

❌ Risky Phrases vs ✅ Safer Alternatives

Why Cold Emails Are More Sensitive to Spam Triggers

• Cold emails face stricter checks from spam filters because the recipient has never interacted with the sender before.
• The wording of your first outreach email is critical . Por phrasing can decide whether it reaches the inbox or the spam folder.
• Using spam-triggering language makes it more likely that your first impression never reaches the recipient.

Mailgo recognizes this challenge and provides pre-warmed email accounts and AI-powered content creation to ensure a higher probability of landing directly in primary inboxes.

Best Practices to Stay Out of Spam

Following best practices significantly improves email deliverability:

• Contextual Use of Spam Words: If necessary, use spam words sparingly and within clear, logical contexts.
• Natural and Authentic Language: Avoid excessive capitalization, multiple exclamation marks, and overly sales-focused language.
• Personalization: Tailored content reduces the chance of emails appearing automated and spam-like.
• Write Valuable Email Content: Write things that your leads really care, provide as much as useful information and insights. Learn more tips about writing good emails that get replies. 
• Regular Testing: Use spam-checking tools frequently to evaluate email quality before sending.

Best Tool Helps You Bypass Spam Filters

Mailgo is an AI-powered cold email platform built to improve deliverability. It helps businesses send emails that avoid spam filters, reach inboxes more reliably, and engage prospects with natural, personalized content.

Better Leads, Faster Results

The AI-powered way to find new leads and start conversations that convert.

Try for free

How Mailgo achieves this:

• Pre-Warmed Email Accounts: Mailgo provides ready-to-use, pre-warmed email accounts with established sender reputations, significantly reducing spam risk.

• AI-Generated Emails: Mailgo's AI generates contextually relevant, personalized, and human-like email content, naturally avoiding common spam phrases.

• Smart Scheduling: Intelligent scheduling ensures emails are sent at optimal times based on recipients' time zones and engagement patterns, improving open rates and reducing bounce rates.

Conclusion

Avoiding spam words is fundamental to successful cold email marketing. Leveraging tools like mailgo can further ensure your emails reach their intended audience, maximizing effectiveness and growth opportunities.

Ready to boost your cold email deliverability and engagement? Start your free mailgo trial today and see the difference this intelligent, spam-safe email marketing tool can make!

FAQs

1. Are free spam checkers effective?

Yes, free spam checkers can help you identify risky phrasesbefore sending. However, they are not perfect. They work best when combined with email deliverability best practices, such as personalization, authentication (SPF/DKIM/DMARC), and safe wording.

2. Why is spam not an acronym?

The word “spam” in email does not stand for anything. It comes from a canned meat brand called SPAM, which was used as a joke in a Monty Python comedy sketch. The idea of “endless, unwanted repetition” was then applied to unwanted emails.

3. Is spam illegal?

Sending spam is not always illegal, but many countries regulate it. For example, the CAN-SPAM Act in the U.S. and the GDPR in the EU set rules for commercial email. Breaking these laws can result in fines.

4. Can I still use “free”?

Yes, you can use the word “free” in cold emails, but you should use it carefully. If “free” is overused or paired with pushy phrases like “buy now” or “limited time,” filters may flag it. A better approach is to give context.

5. Why are health-related words more sensitive?

Health-related spam words are more sensitive because they often promise quick results, miracle cures, or magic pills. These claims can be misleading and sometimes even harmful to people’s health. To protect users, spam filters apply extra scrutiny to health-related content.

6. How can I write links without looking like spam?

Instead of saying “click here” or “follow this link,” describe what the link contains. For example: saying: “Click here to learn more.”