As I often say, newsletters are a great way of alerting people to new releases, promotional offers etc. Too often, though, our emails end up in the spam folder, never to be seen. So, I wondered, is there’s no way to avoid this?

Kevin, CEO & Founder of Comm100, has come up with a great list of words that most email service providers have identified as common words in spam email. Some of them (eg. Viagra) seem pretty obvious. Others, however, not so: who knew, for example, that “No purchase necessary“, “Free preview” and “Reserves the right” can also land you in the spam folder?

Remember that it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t use these words in moderation. However, too many of them or too much repetition of one of them can land you in the spam or junk folder.

So, make sure you avoid these words in your email and, especially, the subject line, and you’ll greatly increase the chances of your newsletter actually being read!

Update

As bobnailor pointed out, it isn’t only words that can spam your newsletter. Capital letters are a dead giveaway, too, along with excess punctuation and too many bright colors and font sizes (yes, spam filters check for those, too). In fact, the single word – free – all in caps and with just one exclamation mark will discover the spam folder faster than a starving mouse in a one-turn maze can locate the cheese.

Also, use a valid mail service – like MailChimp or any of the others – to send out your newsletters. You may only have 50 people in your newsletter mailing, but a mass mailing to them will alert many ISPs to blacklist your email address. That is something you don’t want and will cause a lot of heartache for your personal email address.

THE MOST COMMON SPAM WORDS

The following are two hundred common spam words and phrases that can set of email service provider spam filters. If you do find yourself having an inbox deliverability problem, removing any instances of these spam words from your email subject line or email content can help to get you back into the inbox.

4U Claims you are a winner For instant access
Accept credit cards Claims you registered with Some Kind of Partner For just $ (some amt)
Act now! Don’t hesitate! Click below Free access
Additional income Click here link Free cell phone
Addresses on CD Click to remove Free consultation
All natural Click to remove mailto Free DVD
Amazing Compare rates Free grant money
Apply Online Compete for your business Free hosting
As seen on Confidentially on all orders Free installation
Auto email removal Congratulations Free investment
Avoid bankruptcy Consolidate debt and credit Free leads
Be amazed Copy accurately Free membership
Be your own boss Copy DVDs Free money
Being a member Credit bureaus Free offer
Big bucks Credit card offers Free preview
Bill 1618 Cures baldness Free priority mail
Billing address Dear email Free quote
Billion dollars Dear friend Free sample
Brand new pager Dear somebody Free trial
Bulk email Different reply to Free website
Buy direct Dig up dirt on friends Full refund
Buying judgments Direct email Get It Now
Cable converter Direct marketing Get paid
Call free Discusses search engine listings Get started now
Call now Do it today Gift certificate
Calling creditors Don’t delete Great offer
Can’t live without Drastically reduced Guarantee
Cancel at any time Earn per week Have you been turned down?
Cannot be combined with any other offer Easy terms Hidden assets
Cash bonus Eliminate bad credit Home employment
Cashcashcash Email harvest Human growth hormone
Casino Email marketing If only it were that easy
Cell phone cancer scam Expect to earn In accordance with laws
Cents on the dollar Fantastic deal Increase sales
Check or money order Fast Viagra delivery Increase traffic
Claims not to be selling anything Financial freedom Insurance
Claims to be in accordance with some spam law Find out anything Investment decision
Claims to be legal For free It’s effective
Join millions of Americans No questions asked Reverses aging
Laser printer No selling Risk free
Limited time only No strings attached Round the world
Long distance phone offer Not intended S 1618
Lose weight spam Off shore Safeguard notice
Lower interest rates Offer expires Satisfaction guaranteed
Lower monthly payment Offers coupon Save $
Lowest price Offers extra cash Save big money
Luxury car Offers free (often stolen) passwords Save up to
Mail in order form Once in lifetime Score with babes
Marketing solutions One hundred percent free Section 301
Mass email One hundred percent guaranteed See for yourself
Meet singles One time mailing Sent in compliance
Member stuff Online biz opportunity Serious cash
Message contains disclaimer Online pharmacy Serious only
MLM Only $ Shopping spree
Money back Opportunity Sign up free today
Money making Opt in Social security number
Month trial offer Order now Special promotion
More Internet traffic Order status Stainless steel
Mortgage rates Orders shipped by priority mail Stock alert
Multi level marketing Outstanding values Stock disclaimer statement
Name brand Pennies a day Stock pick
New customers only People just leave money laying around Stop snoring
New domain extensions Please read Strong buy
Nigerian Potential earnings Stuff on sale
No age restrictions Print form signature Subject to credit
No catch Print out and fax Supplies are limited
No claim forms Produced and sent out Take action now
No cost Profits Talks about hidden charges
No credit check Promise you …! Talks about prizes
No disappointment Pure profit Tells you it’s an ad
No experience Real thing Terms and conditions
No fees Refinance home The best rates
No gimmick Removal instructions The following form
No inventory Remove in quotes They keep your money — no refund!
No investment Remove subject They’re just giving it away
No medical exams Removes wrinkles This isn’t junk
No middleman Reply remove subject This isn’t spam
No obligation Requires initial investment University diplomas
No purchase necessary Reserves the right Unlimited
Unsecured credit/debt We honor all Will not believe your eyes
Urgent Weekend getaway Winner
US dollars What are you waiting for? Winning
Vacation offers While supplies last Work at home
Viagra and other drugs While you sleep You have been selected
Wants credit card Who really wins? Your income
We hate spam Why pay more?