--- title: "Spam: Let’s take a closer look at those emails" id: "11596" type: "post" slug: "what-is-spam" published_at: "2024-10-01T20:09:39+00:00" modified_at: "2026-10-30T09:55:28+00:00" url: "https://www.mailsoar.com/resources/article/what-is-spam/" markdown_url: "https://www.mailsoar.com/resources/article/what-is-spam.md" excerpt: "Let’s face it: spam is something we all deal with in our inboxes. But what exactly is spam, and how can we tackle it effectively? Spoiler alert: it’s not just annoying, it can be harmful, too." taxonomy_category: - "Inbox Placement & Spam" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Article" --- ## Summary Let’s face it: spam is something we all deal with in our inboxes. But what exactly is spam, and how can we tackle it effectively? Spoiler alert: it’s not just annoying, it can be harmful, too. ## What is spam? At its core, **spam** refers to those **unwanted emails** that flood our inboxes, usually without our consent. This is often seen as a **bulk** sending of messages, where thousands of recipients receive the same unsolicited content. These emails can come in various forms, but most commonly, they are **commercial promotions** that aim to sell you something you never asked for. While many **spam messages** are simply irritating, they can also include **phishing attempts**, which are malicious emails designed to trick you into giving away personal information like passwords or credit card numbers. A staggering amount of **spam**was circulating in August 2024, with between 7 and 8 million spam messages sent in every country, according to [statista](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1270488/spam-emails-sent-daily-by-country/#:~:text=As%20of%20August%2013%2C%202024,%2C%20and%207.3%20billion%2C%20respectively.) . In today’s digital world, **spam** remains a pervasive problem, with billions of messages sent every day. We also have to think about the **environmental impact.** Storing these unwanted emails uses a lot of energy, which adds to the carbon footprint. The electricity needed to run the servers that hold spam emails is significant, which is another reason to be concerned about this digital nuisance. ## Spam, a spicy idea? You might be surprised to learn that the term **spam** has an amusing backstory. It comes from [Hormel Foods](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2takx) , which introduced a canned meat product known as **SPAM**. The word gained popularity in the 1970s thanks to a Monty Python sketch that humorously repeated **spam** over and over. This clever skit featured a waitress listing dishes that included **spam**, leading to a comical overload of the word. As a result, **spam** has come to symbolize **unwanted** and excessive messages, especially in digital communication. For businesses, it’s essential to understand this term and its implications for email marketing. > “Egg and spam, egg bacon and spam, egg bacon sausage and spam, spam bacon sausage and spam, spam egg spam bacon and spam, spam sausage spam bacon spam tomato and spam.”, announced the waitress, as a Viking group that was also there echoed her words, singing “SPAM! SPAM! SPAM!” > > Monty Python ## How to recognize a spam? Identifying **spam** is crucial for protecting your reputation and improving deliverability. Here are signs to watch for: - **Suspicious sender information**: Be cautious of **email addresses** that look unusual. Spammers often use addresses similar to legitimate ones. - **Poor writing quality**: **Spam emails** frequently have glaring **spelling** and **grammar mistakes**. Emails from reputable companies are usually well-edited. - **Irrelevant subject lines**: If the subject line does not align with the recipient’s interests, it may be **spam**. Common topics often include **adult content**, **pharmaceuticals**, and **get-rich-quick schemes**. - **Phishing attempts**: Emails that solicit personal information or create a false sense of urgency are typically scams. They may claim that you’ve won a prize or that your account will be closed unless you act immediately. ## How to avoid being seen as spam For businesses sending emails, here are tips to ensure messages are not labeled as **spam**: 1. **Be transparent**: Clearly communicate your intentions. Let recipients know what to expect. **Transparency** builds trust. 2. **Engage your audience**: Create content that resonates with your target audience. Keep emails concise and visually appealing. Use **images** and **graphics** effectively. 3. **Follow anti-spam guidelines**: - **Choose the right time**: Timing can affect how emails are received. Sending emails on weekdays in the morning can yield better results. - **Obtain explicit consent**: Get permission from recipients about how often and how many emails they will receive. This helps set expectations. - **Maintain subject line consistency**: Ensure the **subject line** accurately reflects the email content. This prevents **spam complaints**. - **Include an unsubscribe link**: This complies with **anti-spam laws** and shows respect for your recipients’ preferences. 4. **Maintain a clean email list**: Regularly remove inactive addresses to keep your audience engaged. This practice improves **deliverability** and enhances campaign effectiveness. For more on maintaining a healthy email list, see our [article on Spam Traps](https://www.mailsoar.com/spam-traps/) . ## Understanding email deliverability **Email deliverability** is crucial for successful marketing campaigns. It refers to the ability of your emails to reach the intended recipients’ inboxes. Factors such as **spam complaints**, **sender reputation**, and **engagement rates** play significant roles in determining **deliverability**. To learn more about improving your **deliverability**, check out our guides on [Optimizing Your Emailing Infrastructure](https://www.mailsoar.com/emailing-infrastructure/) and understanding the [Optimal Cadence for Your Email Campaigns.](https://www.mailsoar.com/resources/guide/frequency-email-campaigns/) ### The importance of email deliverability **Spam** does not just affect a company’s reputation; it also impacts how well emails land in inboxes. If your organization faces **spam-related challenges**, the MailSoar team is here to help. Our **deliverability experts** can work with you to ensure your emails reach their intended destinations. To learn more about your **Sender Score** and improve your reputation, explore our article on [What is Email Deliverability](https://www.mailsoar.com/resources/article/email-deliverability/) & [Sender Score](https://www.mailsoar.com/what-is-email-deliverability/sender-score/) . **Ready to boost your email deliverability?** Book a free meeting with us today, and let’s get started! Contact us now Get personalized advice Improve your email deliverability and maximize inbox placement with MailSoar. [Talk to a deliverability expert](https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/lawrence-heslin/site) [https://trustfolio.co/en-GB/profil/mailsoar-hr0DVt0nk/reference/j1khsRbjVZ](https://trustfolio.co/en-GB/profil/mailsoar-hr0DVt0nk/reference/j1khsRbjVZ) > We wanted to increase our deliverability and inbox placement as well as test and optimise our transactional email flows and newsletter targeting. MailSoar was able to diagnose and fix our deliverability issues quickly. Being in the adult industry, having top-notch inboxing puts us ahead of the competition. Beyond the fix, MailSoar helps us maintain our deliverability and supports us in executing our marketing goals, e.g., testing campaigns and promotional e-mails for us, with the best chances of success. [in](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-meisinger/) [Sarah Meisinger Marketing Director, Lustery](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-meisinger/) [Read the case study](https://www.mailsoar.com/case-studies/lustery/) Other deliverability content you might like [https://www.mailsoar.com/resources/article/outlook-dmarc-required/](https://www.mailsoar.com/resources/article/outlook-dmarc-required/) ##### [Authentication & DNS](https://www.mailsoar.com/authentication-dns/) ##### Outlook Now Requires DMARC: What’s at Risk Without It 4 minutes [https://www.mailsoar.com/resources/guide/choose-email-deliverability-consultant/](https://www.mailsoar.com/resources/guide/choose-email-deliverability-consultant/) ##### [Email Deliverability](https://www.mailsoar.com/deliverability/) ##### How to choose an email deliverability consultant: a buyer’s guide for SaaS and marketing leaders 5 minutes [https://www.mailsoar.com/resources/article/black-friday-email-deliverability-readiness-the-mailsoar-bfcm-2026-operation/](https://www.mailsoar.com/resources/article/black-friday-email-deliverability-readiness-the-mailsoar-bfcm-2026-operation/) ##### [MailSoar News & Events](https://www.mailsoar.com/webinar/) ##### Black Friday Email Deliverability Readiness: The MailSoar BFCM 2026 Operation 4 minutes