550 SPAM error message – flagging YOUR email?
Why am I getting this error?
To help in the global battle of ever-increasing SPAM, hosting company’s have implemented spam detection procedures on all emails prior to leaving their email servers. Each email is evaluated and rated according to spam rules to determine how likely they are to be actual spam. Those that fail the test are returned to the original sender with the error message 550 This message was classified as SPAM and may not be delivered (please see the email below). If you are receiving a bounceback with this error, then the email you sent has not passed the outbound filter.
Why are you doing this on outbound emails?
Although email servers review all incoming email and evaluate it against their own filters, hosting company’s have begun screening outbound emails to help preserve the reputation of their server’s IP addresses. This is a safety measure enabled to protect all clients being hosted in the Shared Server environment. Once a mail IP gets enough SPAM complaints against it, it will be reported to a company that maintains a blacklist. Any email server that subscribes to that particular service will then block any incoming email from that IP address. After too many times on a blacklist, any email sent from that hosting company’s servers have the chance of automatically being delivered to SPAM folders, regardless of the IP address of the server. Also, since many of the hosting company’s customers are on shared servers, we feel it is not fair for your emails to be blocked due to the SPAMMING activities of other customers. Outbound SPAM evaluation is a proactive measure to prevent blacklisting and keep your email server up and running.
Common solutions to the error
Solution #1 – Enable SMTP Authentication in Outlook
If you are using the Microsoft Outlook email client, not having SMTP Authentication will cause several points to be added to the SPAM score. This can cause emails that otherwise would be allowed through to be classified as SPAM.
Solution #2 – Evaluate email content (See chart below)
As our outgoing servers are using a SPAM evaluation software set at the most lenient levels, it is difficult for your emails to be tagged as SPAM and prevented from going out unless they have a lot of features of a SPAM message. If you are getting caught by the filter, evaluate both the title and body content of the message to ensure there are few, if any, references to popular SPAMMING terms. Also be sure not to include multiple live links to several other websites as this can affect the email rating with the SPAM software.
List of most common terms that trigger spam filters
|
$$$ |
Free membership |
Potential earnings |
|
4U |
Free money |
Print form signature |
|
Accept credit cards |
Free offer |
Print out and fax |
|
Act now! Don’t hesitate! |
Free preview |
Produced and sent out |
|
Additional income |
Free priority mail |
Profits |
|
Addresses on CD |
Free quote |
Promise you …! |
|
All natural |
Free sample |
Pure profit |
|
Amazing |
Free trial |
Real thing |
|
Apply Online |
Free website |
Refinance home |
|
As seen on |
Full refund |
Removal instructions |
|
Auto email removal |
Get It Now |
Remove in quotes |
|
Avoid bankruptcy |
Get paid |
Remove subject |
|
Be amazed |
Get started now |
Removes wrinkles |
|
Be your own boss |
Gift certificate |
Reply remove subject |
|
Being a member |
Great offer |
Requires initial investment |
|
Big bucks |
Guarantee |
Reserves the right |
|
Bill 1618 |
Have you been turned down? |
Reverses aging |
|
Billing address |
Join millions of Americans |
Risk free |
|
Billion dollars |
Laser printer |
Round the world |
|
Brand new pager |
Limited time only |
S 1618 |
|
Bulk email |
Long distance phone offer |
Safeguard notice |
|
Buy direct |
Lose weight spam |
Satisfaction guaranteed |
|
Buying judgments |
Lower interest rates |
Save $ |
|
Cable converter |
Lower monthly payment |
Save big money |
|
Call free |
Lowest price |
Save up to |
|
Call now |
Luxury car |
Score with babes |
|
Calling creditors |
Mail in order form |
Section 301 |
|
Can’t live without |
Marketing solutions |
See for yourself |
|
Cancel at any time |
Mass email |
Sent in compliance |
|
Cannot be combined with any other offer |
Meet singles |
Serious cash |
|
Cash bonus |
Member stuff |
Serious only |
|
Cashcashcash |
Message contains disclaimer |
Shopping spree |
|
Casino |
MLM |
Sign up free today |
|
Cell phone cancer scam |
Money back |
Social security number |
|
Cents on the dollar |
Money making |
Special promotion |
|
Check or money order |
Month trial offer |
Stainless steel |
|
Click below |
More Internet traffic |
Stock alert |
|
Click here link |
Mortgage rates |
Stock disclaimer statement |
|
Click to remove |
Multi level marketing |
Stock pick |
|
Click to remove mailto |
Name brand |
Stop snoring |
|
Compare rates |
New customers only |
Strong buy |
|
Compete for your business |
New domain extensions |
Stuff on sale |
|
Confidentially on all orders |
Nigerian |
Subject to credit |
|
Congratulations |
No age restrictions |
Supplies are limited |
|
Consolidate debt and credit |
No catch |
Take action now |
|
Copy accurately |
No claim forms |
Talks about hidden charges |
|
Copy DVDs |
No cost |
Talks about prizes |
|
Credit bureaus |
No credit check |
Tells you it’s an ad |
|
Credit card offers |
No disappointment |
Terms and conditions |
|
Cures baldness |
No experience |
The best rates |
|
Dear email |
No fees |
The following form |
|
Dear friend |
No gimmick |
They keep your money — no refund! |
|
Dear somebody |
No inventory |
They’re just giving it away |
|
Different reply to |
No investment |
This isn’t junk |
|
Dig up dirt on friends |
No medical exams |
This isn’t spam |
|
Direct email |
No middleman |
University diplomas |
|
Direct marketing |
No obligation |
Unlimited |
|
Discusses search engine listings |
No purchase necessary |
Unsecured credit/debt |
|
Do it today |
No questions asked |
Urgent |
|
Don’t delete |
No selling |
US dollars |
|
Drastically reduced |
No strings attached |
Vacation offers |
|
Earn per week |
Not intended |
Viagra and other drugs |
|
Easy terms |
Off shore |
Wants credit card |
|
Eliminate bad credit |
Offer expires |
We hate spam |
|
Email harvest |
Offers coupon |
We honor all |
|
Email marketing |
Offers extra cash |
Weekend getaway |
|
Expect to earn |
Offers free (often stolen) passwords |
What are you waiting for? |
|
Fantastic deal |
Once in lifetime |
While supplies last |
|
Fast Viagra delivery |
One hundred percent free |
While you sleep |
|
Financial freedom |
One hundred percent guaranteed |
Who really wins? |
|
Find out anything |
One time mailing |
Why pay more? |
|
For free |
Online biz opportunity |
Will not believe your eyes |
|
For instant access |
Online pharmacy |
Winner |
|
For just $ (some amt) |
Only $ |
Winning |
|
Free access |
Opportunity |
Work at home |
|
Free cell phone |
Opt in |
You are a winner |
|
Free consultation |
Order now |
You have been selected |
|
Free DVD |
Order status |
Your income |
|
Free grant money |
Orders shipped by priority mail |
|
|
Free hosting |
Outstanding values |
|
|
Free installation |
Pennies a day |
|
|
Free investment |
People just leave money laying around |
|
|
Free leads |
Please read |