Email Spam Checker
This spam checker reads an email the way a cautious filter would. It flags spam trigger words, capitals, exclamation marks, prices, shortened links, image-heavy HTML and a missing opt-out, and highlights each phrase in your text. It checks content only; below is what Gmail and Yahoo require of senders, which matters more.
Paste your email. See what makes it look like spam.
100% free • No signup • Runs in your browser
How to use the Email Spam Checker
- 1
Paste your email
Add the subject line and paste the body as plain text or HTML.
- 2
See what's flagged
The checker marks spam-style phrases in your text and lists every issue, from capitals and shortened links to a missing opt-out.
- 3
Fix and check again
Rewrite the flagged parts and the result updates as you type. Then check your sending setup against the rules below.
What actually decides whether you land in spam
Words matter less than most people think. Since February 2024, Gmail and Yahoo require every sender to meet these rules, with stricter ones for bulk senders (Google counts anyone sending close to 5,000 emails a day to personal Gmail accounts).
| Rule | Every sender | Bulk senders |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | SPF or DKIM (Google and Yahoo) | SPF and DKIM, plus DMARC (a policy of p=none is enough) |
| Spam complaints | Below 0.3% (Google and Yahoo); Google asks for below 0.1% | The same |
| Domain and DNS | Valid forward and reverse DNS for sending servers | The From: domain aligned with the SPF or DKIM domain |
| Unsubscribing | Not required by Google or Yahoo, though US law requires a way to opt out | One-click unsubscribe and a visible unsubscribe link in marketing email |
| Connection | TLS encryption (Google) | The same |
Sources: Google email sender guidelines, Yahoo sender best practices.
Spam trigger words to avoid
These are the phrases the checker flags. None of them will sink a well-authenticated email on its own, but each one makes your email read more like an ad, to people and to content filters.
- Pressure and urgency
- False urgency is a classic spam pattern and makes a cold email feel like a hard sell. act now, urgent, limited time, don't miss out, last chance, expires today, hurry, today only, final notice, while supplies last, now or never, time is running out, don't delete, respond immediately, instant access.
- Money and prices
- Money language in a first email reads like a promotion or a scam. 100% free, free gift, free money, free offer, cash bonus, earn money, make money, extra income, double your, million dollars, lowest price, best price, save big, big savings, cheap, no credit check, credit card, wire transfer, prize, you've won, winner.
- Too-good-to-be-true promises
- Promises nobody can keep are what spam filters and wary readers look for. guaranteed, risk-free, no risk, no obligation, no catch, no strings attached, miracle, once in a lifetime, satisfaction guaranteed, results guaranteed, incredible deal, amazing offer, 100% satisfied.
- Pushy calls to action
- Commands like these belong in ads, not in an email to one person. click here, click below, buy now, order now, call now, apply now, sign up free, open immediately, download now, get it now.
- Phrases scams use
- These show up in phishing and scams, so filters treat them with suspicion. dear friend, this is not spam, this isn't spam, verify your account, account suspended, confirm your details, casino, lottery, work from home, be your own boss, hidden charges, congratulations you.
Test the subject line on its own with the Email Subject Line Tester, or start from one of the cold email templates, which avoid every phrase on this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do spam trigger words really send emails to spam?
Rarely on their own. Gmail's and Yahoo's sender rules focus on authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and on how many people mark your email as spam. Trigger words still make an email read like an ad, which leads to more spam reports, so they're worth cutting.
What spam complaint rate does Gmail allow?
Google asks senders to keep the spam rate reported in Postmaster Tools below 0.1% and never reach 0.3%. Yahoo's limit is 0.3%. Above those, your emails are more likely to be filtered or rejected.
Do I need an unsubscribe link in a cold email?
US law (CAN-SPAM) requires commercial email, including business-to-business email, to explain clearly how to opt out, and to honor opt-outs within 10 business days. A plain line like "reply 'no thanks' and I won't email again" can do that in a cold email. Bulk marketing to Gmail and Yahoo also needs one-click unsubscribe.
Do links and images hurt deliverability?
Some do. Shortened links hide where they go, so filters distrust them, and emails that are mostly images give filters little text to judge. For cold email, one link or none is safest.
Can I check an HTML email?
Yes. Paste the HTML: the checker reads the visible text, ignores styles and code, and counts links and images.
Is my email stored anywhere?
No. The check runs in your browser. Nothing you paste is sent to our servers or stored.