Email spam checker: find what makes a cold email look like spam

Paste your subject line and message. 16 fixed rules check the text for spam words, placeholders, links, length and other common mistakes, and each problem comes with a fix. Free, with no sign-up.

10 of 16 rules pass

Fix first: Placeholders.

These results are for the example in the form. Replace it with your own email.

Placeholders
Fail
Placeholders or unfinished text left in the message: 1.
- [First name]
Replace each placeholder with the real text. If you check a template, paste a filled-in copy, and make sure your sending tool has a value for every recipient.
Shortened links
Fail
Shortened links: 1.
- https://bit.ly/lumen-call
Use the full address of your own website.
Spam words
Warning
Spam words in the message: 1.
In the message
- guaranteed
Say the same thing in plain, specific words. For example, name the real result or date instead of “guaranteed” or “last chance”.
Links
Warning
Links: 2.
- https://bit.ly/lumen-call
- https://kestrelweb.example
Keep one link, or none. The reader can find your website from your email address.
Exclamation marks
Warning
The subject has an exclamation mark.
Use full stops. One exclamation mark, for example in a thank-you, is enough.
Opt-out line
Warning
No line tells the reader how to stop further messages.
Add one short line at the end. If your sending tool adds an unsubscribe link, you can ignore this warning.

Rules that pass (10)

Subject line The subject has 28 characters.
Reply prefix The subject does not pretend to be a reply.
Images No images in the pasted text.
Message length The message has 68 words.
Sentence length No sentence has more than 30 words.
Words in capitals No words in capitals.
Hype words No hype words.
Greeting No impersonal greeting.
Questions Questions: 1.
Ask The message asks for one thing.

The rules check the text only. A message that passes them can still land in spam or get no reply.

The checker uses 16 fixed rules, and each one has a published limit.

The limits are our own working rules for a short first message to a business. They are not measured effects on replies or inbox placement.

Placeholders

Fails when the text still contains a placeholder or unfinished text, such as {{first_name}}, [Name], %FIRSTNAME% or XXX, or a greeting with an empty name (“Hi ,”).

The reader sees exactly what you send. A message that still says [Name] shows that nobody checked it before it went out.

Subject line

Fails without a subject. Warns above 60 characters.

Many inboxes, on phones especially, cut a long subject. A short subject that names the topic tells the reader what the message is about.

Reply prefix

Fails when the subject starts with Re:, Fwd:, VS:, SV: or a similar prefix.

A first message that looks like a reply suggests an earlier conversation that did not happen. Readers who notice it stop trusting the sender.

Spam words

Fails for any spam word in the subject, or 3 or more in the message. Warns for one or two in the message. The checker reads the English, Finnish and Swedish lists for every message.

These phrases are common in unwanted mail: money promises, pressure, prizes and claims that a message is not spam. Filters weigh many signals together, so one word alone is not a verdict, but a business message seldom needs them.

Shortened links

Fails for a link through a URL shortener, such as bit.ly or tinyurl.com.

A shortener hides where the link goes, and unwanted mail uses them often. Filters and careful readers distrust them.

Links

Passes with no link or one link. Warns at 2. Fails at 3 or more. Each different web address counts once, also the one in your signature.

A first message to someone who does not know you is a short note, not a web page. Each link is one more thing for filters to check and for the reader to doubt.

Images

Warns when the pasted text contains an image, such as a logo in the signature.

Many mail programs do not show images from senders the reader does not know. Images also make a message look like a newsletter.

Message length

Fails without text or above 200 words. Warns below 25 words or above 150. The count includes the greeting and the signature.

A first message should be quick to read. A very short one often leaves out why you write to this business.

Sentence length

Warns when a sentence has more than 30 words.

Long sentences are hard to read on a phone, and the main point gets lost.

Words in capitals

Warns for one word of four or more letters in capitals. Fails for 2 or more. Common abbreviations such as GDPR and DMARC do not count.

Words in capitals read as shouting, and unwanted mail uses them to catch the eye.

Exclamation marks

Warns for an exclamation mark in the subject or 2 in the message. Fails for 3 or more in the message, or for two together (!!).

Exclamation marks make a first message sound like an advertisement.

Hype words

Warns for claims such as world-class, industry-leading or game-changing, in English, Finnish and Swedish.

The reader cannot check these claims, so they read as advertising and say nothing about you.

Greeting

Warns when the first lines greet nobody in particular, for example Dear Sir or Madam, or Hi there.

A greeting to an unnamed reader shows that the message was not written for this person.

Questions

Warns at 3 or more questions in the message.

Several questions make the reader do more work before they can answer, and the main question gets lost.

Ask

Warns when the message asks for nothing, or asks for more than one kind of thing: a call or meeting, a click or download, or a referral to someone else.

A reader who knows exactly what you ask for can answer in one line.

Opt-out line

Warns when no line tells the reader how to stop further messages, for example: “If you would rather not hear from me, just say so.”, or an unsubscribe link.

A reader who wants no more mail should not need the spam button to say so. Email rules in many places also require a way to object.

Spam words are phrases that unwanted mail uses often.

The checker looks for these words and phrases in the subject and the message. It reads the English, Finnish and Swedish lists for every message, including inflected forms. This page shows the English list.

Money and income: make money, earn money, extra income, extra cash, fast cash, easy money, big bucks, double your income, double your money, financial freedom, pure profit, get rich, be your own boss, work from home, no credit check, cash bonus
Free offers and discounts: 100% free, totally free, absolutely free, free gift, free money, at no cost, lowest price, best price, half price, huge discount, save big, 50% off, special promotion, exclusive deal, bargain
Pressure and urgency: act now, act fast, urgent, limited time, offer expires, expires today, last chance, don't miss out, don't delete, while supplies last, today only, only today, now or never, before it's too late, hurry up
Promises and guarantees: guaranteed, risk-free, no risk, money-back guarantee, miracle, incredible deal, once in a lifetime, no catch, no strings attached, too good to be true, instant results
Claims that a message is safe: this is not spam, not spam, not a scam, no obligation, no hidden fees, no hidden costs, 100% legal, completely legal
Prizes and winners: you have won, you've won, you are a winner, you're a winner, winner, claim your prize, claim your reward, you have been selected, you've been selected
Pushy instructions: click here, click below, buy now, order now, apply now, call now, sign up free, subscribe now, add to cart
Hype words: game-changing, game changer, revolutionary, cutting-edge, world-class, best-in-class, industry-leading, market-leading, leading provider, award-winning, synergy, innovative solution, disruptive, next-generation, state-of-the-art, seamless, supercharge, skyrocket, groundbreaking, one-stop shop, turnkey solution

The checker reads the text only. Other things also decide where your mail lands.

Your domain records: SPF, DKIM and DMARC tell receiving servers that you may send for your domain. A message from a domain without them can be refused, however good the text is.
Your sending history: Receivers look at how much you send, how many messages bounce and how often people mark them as spam.
The addresses: The checker does not test whether an address exists. Messages to addresses that do not exist bounce.
Each receiver's own filters: Every company's mail system has its own rules, and nobody outside can see them.

Check your domain records

LeadTerminal prepares a personalized first message for each business you want to reach.

LeadTerminal finds the businesses you want to work with and prepares personalized outreach for each one, with a first message and follow-ups. You decide which messages go out.

See the product in action Outreach examples Prospecting guide

Common questions about checking an email for spam

Why do my emails go to spam?

There is usually more than one reason. The domain may lack SPF, DKIM or DMARC records, the sending history may be short or poor, some addresses may not exist, or the text may look like unwanted mail. This checker reads the text. The email domain checker reads the records.

Is the email spam checker free?

Yes. There is no sign-up and no limit, because the check runs in your browser.

Is my text sent anywhere?

No. The rules run in your browser, so the subject and the message stay on your device. LeadTerminal does not receive or store them.

Does a message that passes every rule reach the inbox?

Not necessarily. Inbox placement also depends on your domain records, your sending history, the addresses and each receiver's own filters. The rules check the text only, and they do not predict replies.

Do spam words alone send an email to spam?

No. Filters weigh many signals together, such as your domain records, your sending history and how readers react to your mail. Spam words are one signal, and a business message seldom needs them.

How long should a cold email subject line be?

The checker warns above 60 characters, because many inboxes cut a long subject, on phones especially. Name the topic and put the main words first.

Which languages does the checker read?

The lists of spam words, hype words, greetings, asks and opt-out lines are in English, Finnish and Swedish, and the checker reads all three for every message. The other rules, such as length, links and capitals, work in any language.

Why does “free” alone not count as a spam word?

Honest business mail uses it often, for example for a free trial. The lists contain phrases such as “100% free” or “free gift”, which are typical of unwanted mail.