SpamGPT: How an AI-Powered Email Attack Toolkit Lowers the Barrier to Mass Phishing — and How Security Teams Should Respond

A new underground toolkit called SpamGPT packages AI-generated phishing content, SMTP/IMAP automation, spoofing tools, and inbox placement testing into a marketing-style dashboard — effectively turning advanced phishing into a point-and-click operation. Because it combines AI-crafted social engineering with tools to bypass deliverability checks, it poses a meaningful risk to organizations that lack hardened email authentication and proactive monitoring. Below: a clear breakdown of how it works and prioritized, practical actions security teams should take now.

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What is SpamGPT — a plain-language breakdown

SpamGPT is described on underground forums as an “AI-powered spam-as-a-service” platform. It brings together multiple attack capabilities into one user-friendly interface that resembles legitimate email marketing tools:

• AI content engine (KaliGPT): Automatically writes persuasive phishing emails, subject lines, and campaign strategies tailored to selected targets.

• Campaign dashboard: Setup, deliverability testing, and analytics (delivery/open/click rates) visible in real time — just like a marketing platform.

• SMTP/IMAP tooling: Modules for discovering, validating, and using SMTP servers (including guidance on “cracking” or exploiting misconfigured servers) and IMAP monitoring for inbox behavior.

• Spoofing and header manipulation: Easy controls to set spoofed senders and custom headers, increasing chances of bypassing basic filters.

• Inbox placement testing: Sends test messages to IMAP accounts and reports whether they land in the primary inbox or spam folder, enabling on-the-fly optimization.

• Scale features: Multithreading across many SMTP servers and IMAP accounts, campaign logs, and analytics — all for reportedly thousands of dollars.

In short: it fuses effective social-engineering content with technical capabilities to find send paths and measure placement — enabling one operator to run campaigns historically requiring larger teams and expertise.

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Why this matters — the key risks

1. Human-level phishing at scale: AI assistance produces highly localized, believable messages that increase click and credential-capture rates.

2. Deliverability optimization: Inbox testing and server switching mean attackers can iteratively evade filters until messages land in the inbox.

3. Abuse of legitimate cloud services: Leveraging infrastructure (e.g., cloud SMTP providers) or compromised servers helps attackers blend in with normal traffic.

4. Lowered technical barrier: Tutorials and GUI controls reduce the expertise needed to operate advanced phishing campaigns.

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Practical, prioritized mitigations (for defenders)

These steps focus on high ROI actions you can implement quickly and operate continuously.

Immediate (hours → days)

• Enforce SPF, DKIM, and DMARC (protective policy): Publish strong DNS records; set DMARC to p=quarantine or p=reject with rua/ruf reporting to detect spoofing.

• Enable MTA-STS and TLS reporting: Force TLS for mail delivery and collect telemetry on failures/misconfigurations.

• Harden admin accounts with MFA: Ensure email admins and critical users use phishing-resistant MFA (hardware keys or platform MFA).

• Block known abuse paths: Monitor for and block SMTP relays with suspicious behavior; work with providers to take down abused accounts/servers.

Short term (days → weeks)

• Tune filters with threat intel: Use indicators (sender IPs, domains, templates) from threat feeds and implement reputation-based blocking.

• Deploy mailbox rules to quarantine suspicious inbound mass mail: Add heuristics that flag emails with unusual header manipulation or mass-send patterns.

• Run phish-simulation campaigns and targeted user training: Measure susceptibility and prioritize remediation for high-risk users.

Long term (weeks → months)

• Adopt advanced email security (BIMI, brand indicators): Helps users visually verify authentic senders when combined with DMARC enforcement.

• Implement inbound email validation systems: Use sandboxing, URL rewrites/inspection, and credential harvesting detection.

• Integrate email telemetry into SIEM/SOAR: Automate alerts for anomalous mass sends, repeated inbox tests, or IMAP-login attempts.

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How to detect if you’re being targeted by a SpamGPT-like campaign

Watch for these signs across email systems and logs:

• Large numbers of failed or successful SMTP auth attempts from multiple IPs.

• Sudden spikes in delivery/open rates that don’t match historical patterns.

• Unknown IMAP logins to honeypot/test accounts.

• Unusual header anomalies (mass use of custom From/Reply-To combinations).

• DMARC/SMTP reports showing repeated bypass attempts.

Collect DMARC aggregate reports and parse them into dashboards to spot trends quickly.

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Responsible disclosure and coordination

If you identify abused SMTP or IMAP infrastructure in your environment, coordinate takedown with your hosting provider or upstream ISP and file incident reports. Sharing anonymized indicators with trusted Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) and your email provider improves community defense.

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FAQ (short, actionable answers)

Q: Can AI-generated phishing really be more effective than human-crafted messages?
A: Yes — modern LLMs can craft contextually relevant copy at scale. Their advantage is speed and the ability to A/B test subject lines/content automatically.

Q: Will strict DMARC stop these attacks completely?
A: Strong DMARC greatly reduces spoofing of your domain, but attackers can still use look-alike domains, compromised accounts, or abused third-party senders. DMARC is necessary but not sufficient.

Q: How can I detect inbox placement testing?
A: Monitor for frequent IMAP logins from unusual IPs to dedicated test mailboxes, and flag repeated short-delay open patterns typical of automated checks.

Q: Should we block all cloud email providers?
A: No — blocking broad providers will disrupt business. Instead, enforce strict sender validation, reputation checks, and per-sender rate limits.

Q: What’s the recommended policy for user training?
A: Combine simulated phish campaigns with role-specific training, immediate coaching for users who click, and measurable KPIs to reduce repeat clicks.

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Final takeaway

Toolkits like SpamGPT demonstrate how attackers are combining AI with automation and deliverability techniques to make phishing cheaper and more effective. The defense is straightforward but requires disciplined execution: enforce email authentication, monitor delivery telemetry, tune filters with telemetry and threat intel, and harden users via training and strong MFA. Prioritize rapid detection and coordinated takedown — those two moves disrupt attacker economies faster than any single technical control.

Would you like a one-page executive summary you can share with your security team, or a checklist formatted for incident response runbooks?

How the ‘Father of Spam’ Changed the Internet Forever

When we think of the internet today, it’s impossible to ignore how deeply email has shaped our communication. Yet, alongside the rise of email came one of its most frustrating byproducts—spam. At the center of this history is a man named Gary Thuerk, often labeled as the “Father of Spam.” In 1978, he sent what is widely recognized as the first unsolicited mass email. That single act not only changed marketing but also forever altered the way we view online communication.

The First Spam Email

Gary Thuerk was a marketer at Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). On May 3, 1978, he sent a promotional email to around 400 users on ARPANET, the precursor to today’s internet. The email advertised DEC’s new computers, and although it was intended as a marketing pitch, it quickly caused uproar.

Recipients were annoyed, many called it intrusive, and administrators saw it as an abuse of the system. But interestingly, the email also had an impact—it generated sales worth nearly $13 million. This single incident proved that email could be a powerful tool, even if it came with controversy.

How Spam Redefined Online Communication

Thuerk’s email was the start of a phenomenon that would soon spiral out of control. As the internet expanded, spamming became a common tactic for advertisers, scammers, and cybercriminals. From weight-loss products to lottery scams, inboxes were flooded with unwanted messages.

This rise of spam forced innovation:

• Spam Filters: Email providers like Yahoo, Hotmail, and later Gmail developed advanced filters to protect users.

• Anti-Spam Laws: Governments introduced regulations like CAN-SPAM Act (2003) in the U.S. and GDPR (2018) in Europe to protect users from unsolicited marketing.

• Email Marketing Evolution: Businesses learned that blasting random messages no longer worked. They shifted towards permission-based marketing, personalization, and automation.

In short, spam shaped both the technical side of email systems and the ethical standards of digital marketing.

From Villain to Visionary?

While Gary Thuerk didn’t set out to be the villain of the internet, his actions highlighted both the potential and pitfalls of digital communication. He later admitted he never intended to launch a new form of digital annoyance. Yet, without that first email, companies may not have realized the sheer scale of email’s reach.

In hindsight, Thuerk’s experiment did more than irritate a few hundred people—it laid the foundation for the email marketing industry, which today is worth billions globally. Marketers now carefully segment audiences, run A/B tests, and measure engagement, all thanks to the early lessons learned from spam.

Lessons for Today’s Marketers

Spam still exists, but it looks very different. With smarter algorithms and stricter regulations, blasting irrelevant emails is a fast way to ruin your brand reputation. Instead, successful email marketing today focuses on:

1. Relevance – Sending only what the subscriber wants.

2. Trust – Building credibility through verified domains and transparent policies.

3. Quality over Quantity – Prioritizing value-driven messages instead of bulk sending.

4. Testing Deliverability – Ensuring your email lands in the inbox, not the spam folder.

The Role of Spam Score Tools

One of the most effective ways to safeguard your campaigns is by checking your email spam score before sending. A high spam score can mean your message will be flagged or blocked entirely. This is where free tools like testmailscore.com come in handy.

With testmailscore.com, you can:

• Analyze your email’s spam score instantly.

• Identify risky keywords, formatting issues, and technical problems.

• Get an in-depth report to improve deliverability.

By running your campaigns through such tools, you ensure that your emails reach the right audience without being lost in the spam folder.

Final Thoughts

The “Father of Spam” may not have realized it at the time, but his 1978 email changed the internet forever. It sparked innovations in filtering, inspired global laws, and shaped ethical marketing practices. For modern businesses, the takeaway is clear: relevance and trust matter more than volume.

So the next time you hit “send,” remember the lesson from 1978—and double-check your spam score at testmailscore.com before reaching your audience.

Google Data Breach Puts 2.5 Billion Gmail Users at Risk of Scams

A massive cyberattack has left more than 2.5 billion Gmail users exposed, after hackers managed to compromise a Google database hosted on Salesforce’s cloud platform. The breach, tied to the notorious hacking group ShinyHunters, is already being called one of the biggest in Google’s history.

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How the Breach Happened

The attack began in June 2025 and relied on social engineering—a common but dangerous tactic. Members of ShinyHunters pretended to be IT staff, making convincing phone calls to Google employees. Eventually, they tricked one employee into approving a malicious Salesforce application.

Once inside, the hackers were able to extract contact information, business names, and related notes from the database.

Google confirmed that no passwords were stolen, but the exposed data is already fueling new scams. On Reddit and other forums, Gmail users have reported a flood of phishing emails, fake calls, and text scams. Many attackers are impersonating Google staff, trying to steal login codes or push users into resetting their accounts—opening the door to full account takeovers.

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Why This Matters

Even though no passwords were leaked, the stolen details are still extremely dangerous. Scammers can:

• Impersonate Google support to trick you into revealing login details.

• Pressure you into sharing files or sensitive data.

• Launch brute-force attempts on weak passwords like “123456” or “password”.

If successful, attackers can lock victims out of their Gmail accounts, steal personal photos and documents, and even access linked financial accounts or business systems.

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What You Should Do Now

Here are the key steps every Gmail user should take:

1. Check if your Gmail data was leaked – Use a tool like ID Protection’s Data Leak Checker or dark web monitoring to see if your details are being sold.

2. Update your password immediately – Use a strong, unique password generated with a free tool like ID Protection’s Password Generator. Never reuse old passwords.

3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – This adds an extra layer of security, making it much harder for hackers to break in.

4. Use scam detection tools – Services like Trend Micro ScamCheck can block fake calls, filter suspicious texts, and flag scam emails.

5. Verify suspicious emails – If an email claims to be from Google but looks odd, don’t click anything. Instead, upload it to ScamCheck to verify if it’s fraudulent.

6. Switch to passkeys – Google recommends moving to passkeys (fingerprint or face ID logins) since they’re more secure and phishing-resistant.

Finally, run a Google Security Checkup to review your current protections and enable any extra safeguards available.

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Google’s Response

On August 8, 2025, Google began notifying affected users. The company stated that most of the exposed data was “publicly available business information,” but security experts warn that even simple contact details can be exploited in targeted scams.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Google has faced a security issue. Previous incidents include the Google+ API leak (2018), the OAuth Gmail phishing campaign (2017–2018), and the Gooligan malware outbreak (2016). Each case highlights the same reality: hackers don’t always need passwords to cause damage.

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Who’s Behind It?

The breach has been linked to ShinyHunters, also known as UNC6040. This group is notorious for corporate breaches and extortion. Their go-to method is impersonating IT staff to trick employees into granting access to malicious Salesforce apps. Once inside, they extract massive amounts of data using tools similar to Salesforce’s own “Data Loader.”

In some cases, the stolen data isn’t used right away. A related group, UNC6240, has been known to approach victims months later, demanding Bitcoin payments in exchange for not leaking sensitive data. Security researchers believe this group may soon launch a dedicated leak site to escalate its extortion campaigns.

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Final Thoughts

This breach is a strong reminder that even trusted platforms like Google can be vulnerable. The best defense is staying proactive: secure your Gmail with strong passwords, MFA, and scam filters—and stay alert to suspicious messages or calls.

🔒 Your online safety starts with awareness. Share this article with friends and family so they can protect themselves too.

Using an .onmicrosoft.com Address? Microsoft Will Soon Restrict Your Emails

If your organization uses an onmicrosoft.com email address—the default domain assigned with every Microsoft 365 tenant—you’re about to face some important changes. Microsoft is introducing new restrictions on these domains to curb spam and abuse.

What’s Changing?

Microsoft will soon place limits on how organizations can use .onmicrosoft.com domains (also known as MOERA). These domains were originally meant for internal or temporary use, but many users continued using them for everyday communication. Unfortunately, spammers also took advantage of this loophole, making it harder for Microsoft to control abuse.

Starting December 1, 2025, organizations using .onmicrosoft.com domains will be limited to sending emails to 100 external recipients within a 24-hour period. Emails to people inside your own organization are not affected.

If you go over this limit, your emails will bounce back, and you’ll receive a Non-Delivery Report (NDR) with the error code 550 5.7.236.

How Microsoft Will Roll This Out

The restrictions won’t apply to everyone at once. Microsoft is introducing them in phases:

• December 1, 2025 – Organizations with fewer than 3 accounts (seats).

• January 7, 2026 – Organizations with up to 10 accounts.

• February 2, 2026 – Organizations with up to 50 accounts.

• By June 1, 2026 – Organizations with more than 10,000 accounts.

Microsoft will notify organizations one month before the change affects them.

Why This Matters

• Spammers abuse .onmicrosoft.com addresses to send bulk messages. By limiting their use, Microsoft is protecting email reputation.

• These domains don’t look professional and can reduce trust from clients or partners.

• If your company uses .onmicrosoft.com as the primary email domain, switching to a custom domain will mean updating credentials, apps, and even informing external contacts.

What You Should Do

To avoid interruptions, Microsoft recommends that organizations:

• Purchase and set up a custom domain (e.g., yourcompany.com).

• Change the default domain in the Microsoft 365 admin center.

• Update all mailbox addresses to use the new domain.

• Adjust device settings and connected apps.

• Inform partners, customers, and stakeholders about the change.

Other Email Sending Limits You Should Know

This isn’t the only change Microsoft is introducing. The company is also rolling out broader email sending limits across all domains, not just .onmicrosoft.com.

• Tenant External Recipient Rate Limits (TERRL): These set maximum limits for how many external recipients a tenant can send emails to per day. Trial tenants are capped at 5,000 external recipients per day, while licensed tenants have higher thresholds based on the number of purchased licenses.

• Per-Mailbox External Recipient Limits (ERR): Coming in April 2026, each mailbox will be limited to around 2,000 external recipients per day.

• If your tenant or mailbox hits these thresholds, emails will stop sending and bounce back with an error.

In Summary

• .onmicrosoft.com domains will soon be restricted to 100 external recipients per day.

• Rollout begins in December 2025 and will gradually apply to all organizations by mid-2026.

• Custom domains are the best long-term solution for branding, deliverability, and avoiding restrictions.

• Microsoft is also enforcing new limits across all tenants, so understanding these changes now will help avoid disruptions later.

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Final Thoughts

These changes highlight a larger shift: Microsoft wants organizations to move away from temporary .onmicrosoft.com addresses and adopt professional, branded domains. Making the switch sooner rather than later will not only protect your email reputation but also ensure your business communications continue without disruption.

Achieve Superior Inbox Placement with TestMailScore (TMS)

In the digital marketing world, sending an email is easy—but ensuring it lands in your recipient’s inbox is an entirely different challenge. Whether you’re running a targeted campaign, nurturing customer relationships, or building your brand presence, email deliverability plays a critical role in your success. Unfortunately, the path to a perfect inbox placement is not always straightforward.

Spam filters keep evolving, email service providers (ESPs) have varying rules, and sometimes, even well-crafted content can trigger red flags. This is where TestMailScore (TMS) comes in—offering unparalleled accuracy, AI-powered analysis, and actionable insights to give your emails the best chance of reaching the inbox.

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Why Email Deliverability Matters More Than Ever

Picture this: You’ve spent hours designing a campaign, writing compelling copy, and segmenting your audience. You hit “Send,” expecting engagement, but instead, your email lands in the spam folder—where it’s as good as invisible.

Deliverability is more than just avoiding spam—it’s about ensuring your message is actually read. Every missed inbox is a missed opportunity to connect with your audience, build trust, and generate ROI.

Poor deliverability can harm:

• Marketing Goals – Lower open and click-through rates mean wasted resources.

• Customer Relationships – When important updates don’t arrive, trust erodes.

• Brand Reputation – Frequent spam folder appearances damage credibility.

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How TMS Helps You Achieve Inbox Success

1. AI-Driven Analysis for Maximum Accuracy
TMS uses an advanced AI engine to thoroughly assess your emails before you send them. This technology identifies potential spam triggers across all major email providers with unmatched precision. Instead of guessing, you get a clear, data-backed picture of your email’s readiness.

2. Detailed & Actionable Reports
Forget vague “pass/fail” scores. With TMS, you receive a comprehensive breakdown that pinpoints what’s working well and what’s holding you back. Whether it’s your subject line, body content, links, or authentication records, the report shows exactly where improvements can be made.

3. Tailored Recommendations for Your Campaign
Not all deliverability issues are created equal. TMS provides personalized suggestions based on your content, sender reputation, and target audience. This ensures that the advice you get is not only relevant but also highly effective for your specific situation.

4. Seamless User Experience
One of the best things about TMS is how easy it is to use:

• No sign-up required – Test your emails instantly without commitments.

• Simple interface – Upload your email or paste your content, and get results in seconds.

• Unlimited testing – Use the free plan to test as often as needed.

• Integration-friendly – Add TMS into your existing workflow to save time and effort.

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Benefits That Go Beyond the Score

Using TMS isn’t just about avoiding spam—it’s about unlocking the full potential of your email marketing.

• Enhance ROI – Higher inbox placement means more eyes on your message, leading to better engagement and conversions.

• Build Trust – Consistent, reliable delivery reassures subscribers that they can count on your brand.

• Boost Productivity – With clear insights and quick results, you spend less time troubleshooting and more time creating impactful campaigns.

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Real-World Impact: From Guesswork to Precision

Marketers who switch to TMS often notice a significant difference in just a few tests. What used to be trial-and-error becomes a structured, data-driven process. Instead of sending emails and hoping for the best, you can send them knowing they’ve been vetted for maximum deliverability.

With the AI continuously learning from millions of tests, your reports get smarter over time—helping you stay ahead of evolving spam filters and industry changes.

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Don’t Leave Email Deliverability to Chance

Your email campaign’s success shouldn’t be determined by luck. Whether you’re a small business owner sending newsletters or a large enterprise running complex campaigns, inbox placement is too important to ignore.

With TestMailScore, you get:
✅ Accurate spam trigger detection
✅ Clear, actionable insights
✅ Easy, free, and unlimited testing
✅ Integration into your existing workflow

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Final Thought:
In today’s competitive digital space, every email counts. By leveraging AI-powered analysis and in-depth reporting from TMS, you can ensure that your messages not only get delivered but also get read—helping you achieve your marketing goals, nurture customer relationships, and build long-term brand trust.

You can try testmailscore.com for free today and get an in-depth report on your email’s deliverability.

10 Essential Things Every New Email Marketer Should Understand

Starting out in email marketing can feel a bit like being handed the controls of an airplane after only reading the manual. Sure, you know the basics, but without practical guidance, things can go wrong fast. Email is still one of the most cost-effective channels for building relationships, boosting sales, and growing a brand — but only if done right.

Here are 10 key things every beginner email marketer needs to understand and follow:

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1. Build a Quality List — Never Buy One

Your list is the backbone of your email marketing. A high-quality list contains people who want to hear from you. Buying lists might seem like a shortcut, but it leads to high spam complaints, poor engagement, and potential legal trouble. Instead, focus on organic methods like signup forms, lead magnets, or exclusive offers.

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2. Understand Your Audience’s Needs

Before hitting “send,” you need to know who you’re talking to. What do they want? What challenges do they face? The more you understand your audience, the more relevant your emails will be. Use surveys, analytics, and previous interactions to tailor your content.

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3. Personalization Is More Than Just a Name

Adding someone’s name in the subject line is nice, but personalization goes beyond that. Segment your audience by interests, purchase history, or engagement level. Send content that matches their journey, not just a one-size-fits-all newsletter.

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4. Craft Strong Subject Lines

Your subject line is the door to your email. If it doesn’t spark curiosity or value, people won’t open it. Keep it short, clear, and compelling. Avoid spammy words like “Free!!!” or “Act Now!!!” as they can trigger filters.

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5. Keep It Mobile-Friendly

Over half of all emails are opened on mobile devices. If your email looks messy or unreadable on a phone, you’re losing potential customers. Use responsive templates, concise text, and clear CTAs that are easy to tap.

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6. Test Before You Send

Typos, broken links, or incorrect personalization tags can make your email look unprofessional. Always send a test email to yourself and team members to check formatting, grammar, and links. Tools like testmailscore.com can also check your spam score before sending.

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7. Don’t Overwhelm Your Subscribers

Email fatigue is real. Sending too often can annoy people, while sending too rarely can make them forget you. Find a balanced schedule and be consistent. Quality always beats quantity.

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8. Follow Legal Compliance

Understand and follow regulations like GDPR, CAN-SPAM, and other regional laws. Always include an unsubscribe link, provide a physical address, and only send emails to people who have given consent.

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9. Track and Measure Performance

Don’t just send and forget. Track open rates, click-through rates, conversions, and unsubscribe rates. This data helps you see what’s working and where you can improve. Use A/B testing to experiment with subject lines, content, and send times.

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10. Focus on Deliverability

Even the best email is useless if it never reaches the inbox. Keep your sender reputation high by using a verified domain, avoiding spammy language, and regularly cleaning inactive contacts from your list. Tools like testmailscore.com can give you an advanced breakdown of your deliverability and spam risk.

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Final Thoughts

Email marketing success isn’t about sending the most emails — it’s about sending the right emails to the right people at the right time. If you start with a clean list, personalize your approach, test before sending, and keep an eye on your performance, you’ll be far ahead of many beginners.

And remember:
Add testmailscore.com for checking the spam score of your email.
This tool is completely free to use and provides advanced insights into your email campaigns so you can improve deliverability and engagement.

13 Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Email Marketing (And How to Fix Them)

Email marketing is still one of the most powerful tools to reach your audience—when done right. But many marketers unknowingly sabotage their campaigns by making simple yet costly mistakes. A recent study by Digital Silk reveals 13 common errors that can seriously impact your engagement, conversions, and even your brand reputation.

Let’s walk through these mistakes—and how to avoid them—so your next campaign performs better than ever.

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1. Sending the Same Email to Everyone

Your audience is not a monolith. What works for a first-time visitor won’t resonate with a loyal customer. If you’re blasting one generic message to everyone, you’re missing out.

Fix it: Segment your email list by behavior, purchase history, or engagement level. Send tailored messages that actually mean something to each group.

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2. Skipping Personalization

A simple “Hi John” instead of “Dear Customer” can go a long way. And it’s not just about names—personalization includes tailored product suggestions, content, and timing.

Why it matters: 88% of marketers say personalization improves sales, and 44% say the impact is significant.

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3. Emailing Too Often (Or Not Enough)

If your emails feel like spam, people will tune out—or worse, unsubscribe. On the flip side, if they barely hear from you, they’ll forget who you are.

Tip: Find a consistent, data-backed rhythm. And never bombard subscribers with the same promotion over and over. It’s one of the top reasons why 57% of consumers switch to a competitor.

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4. Over-Promoting Instead of Adding Value

Sure, selling is the goal. But constant self-promotion without value is a fast track to the trash folder.

Insight: 53% of consumers find personalized product recommendations (based on past purchases) more useful than random generic promos.

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5. Ignoring Your Email Analytics

Are you tracking opens, clicks, and post-open engagement? If not, you're flying blind.

Average benchmarks in North America:

• Open rate: 45.3%

• Click-through: 4.77%

• Engagement after open: 10.53%

These numbers help you spot what's working—and what needs work.

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6. Using Weak or Misleading Subject Lines

Your subject line is your first impression. If it doesn’t grab attention or misrepresents the content, don’t expect a click.

Stat to know: 43% of readers open emails based on the subject line alone. Make it relevant, honest, and intriguing.

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7. Forgetting Mobile Users

More than 61.5% of all internet traffic now comes from mobile devices. If your email looks clunky on a phone, you’ve lost half your audience.

Fix it: Use mobile-responsive designs and test how your email looks across devices before sending.

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8. Not Including a Clear Call to Action (CTA)

You’ve got their attention—now what? If you don’t clearly tell readers what to do next, they probably won’t do anything.

Be specific: Whether it’s “Shop Now,” “Read the Full Story,” or “Claim Your Offer,” your CTA should be visible and actionable.

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9. Relying on Generic Templates

We get it—templates save time. But if your emails feel cold or cookie-cutter, your audience will notice.

Reality check: 64% of consumers are more likely to open emails from brands they recognize—and that familiarity only builds when your emails reflect your unique voice and visuals.

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10. Making Opt-In Too Complicated

People won’t fill out a 10-field form just to get your newsletter. The same goes for vague promises or confusing value offers.

Keep it simple: A name and email are usually enough. Clearly state what they’ll get and why it’s worth it.

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11. Hiding the Unsubscribe Button

Tricky unsubscribe processes don’t reduce churn—they increase frustration. Worse, they might get you flagged as spam.

Best practice: Make it easy and quick. A one-click unsubscribe keeps your reputation intact.

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12. Neglecting Your Email List Hygiene

If you’re emailing people who haven’t opened a message in six months, you’re hurting your deliverability—and wasting resources.

Clean it up: Regularly remove or re-engage inactive subscribers to keep your list healthy and responsive.

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13. Disregarding Privacy Laws

Privacy regulations aren’t optional. Laws like GDPR and CAN-SPAM require clear consent, transparent data handling, and easy opt-outs.

Stay compliant: Make sure your email practices follow the rules, especially if you’re collecting user data or marketing internationally.

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Bonus Tip: Check Your Spam Score Before Sending

You’ve crafted the perfect email—but will it land in the inbox or the spam folder?

Use TestMailScore.com to check your spam score before hitting send. It’s a free tool that gives you deep insights into how email providers perceive your message—plus suggestions on how to fix issues. This one step can save your whole campaign.

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Final Thoughts

Email marketing can be incredibly effective—but only if you avoid these all-too-common mistakes. Keep your audience in mind, respect their inbox, and use the right tools and insights to guide your strategy.

The difference between a good email and a great one? Thoughtfulness, testing, and the willingness to evolve.

How Artificial Intelligence and AMP Are Redefining the Future of Email Marketing

Email marketing isn’t dying — it’s evolving. Every time you think inbox strategies have peaked, a new innovation arrives to raise the bar. If you’re still relying on static HTML emails and batch-and-blast strategies, it’s time for a serious upgrade.

Future-proofing your email marketing means preparing for what’s next: better inbox trust, richer experiences, and smarter targeting. The good news? Three technologies are already shaping this future — BIMI, AMP for Email, and AI.

Let’s break down what these are, why they matter, and how you can start using them.

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1. Build Trust and Visual Identity with BIMI

BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) is like the blue tick for your emails. It allows brands to display their official logo next to their emails in supporting inboxes (like Gmail and Yahoo), but only after passing key authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.

Why It Matters:

• Instant trust: A verified logo increases recognition and reduces the chances of your email being seen as spam or phishing.

• Better deliverability: Since BIMI requires a strong authentication setup, your emails are more likely to land in the inbox.

• Brand visibility: Think of your logo showing right in the inbox — even before someone opens the email.

How to Get Started:

1. Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC with a policy of “quarantine” or “reject.”

2. Create and host your SVG logo.

3. Get a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) from a certificate authority.

4. Publish a BIMI record in your DNS.

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2. Create Interactive Experiences with AMP for Email

Let’s face it — traditional emails are static. They might look nice, but users have to click out of their inbox to take any action.

AMP for Email changes that. It lets you add dynamic content like carousels, accordions, forms, and live data directly inside the email. Think of it like a mini web app, but in the inbox.

Why It Matters:

• Higher engagement: Users can book a meeting, RSVP to an event, or even shop without leaving the email.

• Real-time updates: Content can update after the email is sent — useful for inventory, prices, or availability.

• Reduced friction: Fewer clicks mean more conversions.

How to Get Started:

• Sign up with Gmail or other providers that support AMP.

• Create AMP HTML emails alongside your regular HTML fallback.

• Validate and test your AMP content using tools like the AMP Playground.

Note: You’ll also need to get whitelisted by Gmail to start sending AMP emails.

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3. Personalize and Optimize with AI

AI isn’t just hype anymore. It’s quietly becoming the secret sauce behind high-performing email campaigns.

Whether it’s through predictive analytics, natural language generation, or AI-powered segmentation, this tech allows marketers to do more with less guesswork.

How AI Helps:

• Smarter segmentation: Predict who’s likely to open, click, or buy — and tailor content accordingly.

• Subject line optimization: Tools like Phrasee or Jasper use AI to generate high-converting subject lines.

• Send-time optimization: AI can determine the perfect time to send emails to each user based on their habits.

• Automated content: From writing emails to curating product recommendations, AI saves hours of manual work.

How to Get Started:

• Integrate AI-powered features in your ESP (many already offer them).

• Use AI tools to A/B test subject lines, CTA placements, and layouts.

• Analyze past campaigns to train smarter future automation.

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Final Thoughts: Embrace the Change

Email marketing is no longer just about writing a good copy and hitting "send." The future lies in trust, interactivity, and intelligence.

BIMI ensures your email looks trustworthy.
AMP makes your email feel interactive.
AI makes your email work smarter.

By implementing these tools now, you won’t just keep up — you’ll lead.

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Bonus Tip: Check Your Email Spam Score Before Sending

Even the most futuristic emails won’t work if they land in spam. That’s where TestMailScore.com comes in. It's a completely free tool that gives you an advanced spam score report, helping you fix issues like blacklists, broken headers, authentication problems, and more.

Before hitting send, test your email there to make sure it lands in the inbox — not the junk folder.

How Small Steel Trading Companies Can Use Email Marketing to Stay Top of Mind and Win New Business

In today’s fast-moving business world, especially in industries like steel trading where competition is tough and customer loyalty is easily lost, staying visible to your customers is critical. For small steel trading companies, this can be a challenge. Often, you don’t have large marketing budgets or dedicated teams like big corporations. But there is one powerful, cost-effective tool you can use to boost sales and maintain relationships: email marketing.

Whether you're trying to bring back customers who haven’t placed an order in a while or reach out to new leads, email marketing can help you stay top of mind, drive repeat purchases, and grow your business sustainably.

Why Customers “Forget” About You

It’s a common scenario in B2B industries: a customer places a few orders, seems happy, and then suddenly disappears. In many cases, they haven’t had a bad experience—they just moved on to other suppliers or simply forgot about you.

Why does this happen?

• Lack of ongoing communication: If you only speak to a customer when they order, you risk being forgotten.

• No reminder of your value: Out of sight is often out of mind, especially when buyers juggle multiple vendors.

• No visibility of new offerings: Customers might not know you’ve added new products or services unless you tell them.

This is where email marketing comes in.

The Power of Email Marketing for Small Businesses

You don’t need a huge budget or sophisticated tools to get started. With a simple strategy and a well-maintained list of emails, you can:

• Nurture potential leads by introducing your company, your values, and your product range.

• Re-engage dormant clients by reminding them of the quality and reliability you offer.

• Promote special deals to encourage ordering during slower periods.

• Showcase your expertise to build trust and long-term relationships.

Let’s look at how to make this work for your steel trading business.

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Step 1: Build and Segment Your Email List

Before sending any emails, you need to organize your audience. You likely already have a list of customers and contacts. Break this list into two primary segments:

1. Potential new customers: Leads collected from industry expos, referrals, website inquiries, or networking.

2. Dormant existing customers: Clients who haven’t purchased from you in over a year.

Segmenting your email list allows you to tailor messages to each group more effectively.

💡 Tip: Always ask for permission before emailing someone. Use opt-in forms on your website or confirm by phone if needed.

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Step 2: Craft the Right Messages

For Potential Customers:

Your goal is to introduce your business, show credibility, and spark interest. A good first email might include:

• A short introduction to your company

• What products or services you specialize in

• Why customers choose you (reliability, pricing, delivery speed, etc.)

• A call-to-action (e.g., “Get a quote,” “Call us for pricing,” “View our product catalog”)

Follow-up emails can include:

• Customer testimonials or case studies

• Industry news and how your products fit into current trends

• Limited-time offers or discounts

For Dormant Customers:

These contacts already know you but haven’t ordered in a while. Your approach should be friendly and focused on re-establishing a connection.

Email ideas include:

• “We’ve missed you!” message with a gentle reminder of your past work together

• New product announcements or stock availability

• Loyalty rewards or special discounts for returning customers

• A simple “Let’s reconnect” email offering a phone call or meeting

Keep the tone warm, professional, and helpful.

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Step 3: Choose the Right Email Tools

There are many affordable email marketing platforms like Mailchimp, Brevo (formerly Sendinblue), Moosend, or MailerLite that offer easy-to-use templates, automation, and analytics.

Features to look for:

• Ability to schedule campaigns

• Templates for newsletters and promotions

• List segmentation and tagging

• Basic analytics (open rates, click-throughs)

You don’t need the fanciest software. Choose something simple and reliable that suits your team’s comfort level.

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Step 4: Timing and Frequency

Avoid overloading your contacts with daily emails. For most steel trading businesses, a monthly or bi-monthly email is ideal. For re-engagement campaigns, you might consider a short series of 2–3 emails spaced over a few weeks.

Best practices:

• Don’t email just for the sake of it. Each email should offer value.

• Test different days/times to see what works best (Tuesdays and Thursdays often perform well).

• Avoid long emails—get to the point quickly and clearly.

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Step 5: Track and Improve

Once you send a few campaigns, study the results:

• Open Rate: Are your subject lines grabbing attention?

• Click Rate: Are people clicking on your product links or quote request buttons?

• Unsubscribe Rate: Are you emailing too frequently or sending irrelevant content?

Use these insights to fine-tune your subject lines, content, and frequency.

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What Should You Include in Your Emails?

Here are some content ideas tailored to your industry:

• Stock updates (e.g., “Fresh consignment of Mild Steel Coils now available”)

• Case studies (e.g., “How we helped a construction firm reduce procurement delays by 30%”)

• Industry insights (e.g., “What rising raw material costs mean for steel buyers”)

• Special offers (e.g., “Order in July and get 5% off on structural steel”)

• Company news (e.g., “We’ve expanded our warehouse capacity”)

Visuals help too—photos of your inventory, delivery trucks, staff at work, or even satisfied customers add a human touch.

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Final Thoughts

For small steel trading companies, email marketing is not just a sales tool—it’s a relationship builder. By staying in touch, sharing relevant information, and being present in your customer’s inbox, you make it easier for them to remember you when the next need arises.

You don’t need to be loud. You just need to be there—consistently, clearly, and professionally.

So if you’ve been waiting to “find time” to start email marketing, the time is now. Build that list, draft your first message, and press send. Your future customers are just a few clicks away.

Mastering the Email Blast: How to Reach Your Audience Without Getting Blacklisted

Email is still one of the most powerful tools for communicating with customers. But if you’ve ever sent out a bulk email only to find many of them bounce back or get flagged as spam, you know how frustrating that power can be when misused. It only takes one blacklist to derail your outreach efforts.

Sure, you could try emailing people one by one or hope they check your website or social media—but let’s be honest: that’s time-consuming and often ineffective. If your emails aren’t landing where they should, your message is getting lost.

Why Emails Get Blocked — And Why It Matters

When your messages are flagged as spam or land in the "Promotions" tab, it’s not just an inconvenience — it’s a major roadblock to reaching your audience. With laws like the CAN-SPAM Act in place and increasingly strict filters from Gmail, Outlook, and others, your emails must strike the right balance between engaging and compliant.

That’s where email best practices come in — helping you increase open rates, drive clicks, and avoid the dreaded blacklist.

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Step One: Know Your Audience and Purpose

Before writing a single word, get clear on two things:

• Who are you talking to?

• What do you want them to do?

Kayc Ullrich from Yuit Communications puts it simply: “If you don’t know what you’re trying to say or who you’re saying it to, your email won’t connect.”

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Understand the Reader’s Email Experience

Your recipients don’t live in a vacuum. Their reaction to your email is shaped by four major factors:

1. The Law – The CAN-SPAM Act requires every email to include a physical address and an unsubscribe link. Failing to comply can land you in hot water (and possibly on a blacklist).

2. Email Overload – People are drowning in emails. Inboxes are more crowded than ever, and your message has to stand out to get noticed.

3. Mobile Reading – Most users now check emails on their phones. If your message isn’t mobile-friendly, you’ll lose readers fast.

4. Email Filters – Clients like Gmail automatically sort and hide emails in promotions or spam tabs. Microsoft Outlook, for example, blocks images by default. Long messages get clipped. If you’re not testing for this, your email might never be seen.

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Writing Emails That Actually Work

Let’s break down how to write emails that are engaging, legal, and likely to be opened.

✅ Subject Lines That Spark Curiosity

• Make it short and direct.

• Avoid spammy terms like "Free!" or "Cash Bonus."

• Keep the first 40 characters sharp and informative.

Your subject line and preview text are your first impression. If it doesn’t grab attention in under 3 seconds, it’s probably getting ignored.

✅ Sender Info That Builds Trust

Use your organization’s name in the sender field. If you’re using tools like MailChimp, you can split the name into two fields. Avoid using random team members’ names — your audience may not recognize them, and it might trigger spam filters.

✅ Message Body That Delivers Value

• Make it scannable with bullet points and subheadings.

• Use short sentences and simple words.

• Put the most important info at the top.

• Avoid using big images or attachments — they often don’t display correctly.

Want to go deeper without overwhelming readers? Use links. Direct them to a landing page or blog post with the full content.

Pro Tip: Want to check your email's spam score before sending it out? Use TestMailScore.com — a free and powerful tool that gives you an in-depth look at your email’s deliverability.

✅ Legal Footers That Don’t Get You Flagged

Every email needs a physical address and an unsubscribe link. Don’t hide it in tiny text — make it easy for people to find and act on.

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Test, Test, and Test Again

Before you hit “Send,” run tests:

• View it on different devices (mobile vs. desktop, light mode vs. dark mode).

• Use different email clients (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook).

• Check how it displays across screen sizes and platforms.

Use test accounts and tools like TestMailScore.com to pre-check formatting, links, and potential spam triggers.

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Smart Sending Strategy

Not every email list is a good one. If someone hasn’t interacted with your brand in 3+ years, it’s time to remove them. Old or disengaged contacts can damage your sender reputation.

Segment your list based on audience types — customers, journalists, B2B — and tweak the message for each group. Personalized messages almost always perform better.

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Analyze Your Results

After sending, don’t just forget about the email. Track:

• Open rates

• Click-through rates

• Bounce rates

High bounces from a specific domain? You might be blacklisted. Visit Spamhaus to check your IP and domain reputation.

If open rates are low, ask yourself: Did my subject line work? Was my email valuable? A low open rate means your communication didn’t land—literally or figuratively.

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Final Thoughts

Email isn’t just about sending—it’s about delivering a message that actually gets seen, read, and acted upon. By combining smart strategy with the right tools, like TestMailScore.com, you can create powerful, compliant campaigns that grow your reach, not your spam score.

Email Spam: What It Is, How to Avoid It as a User, and Best Practices for Email Marketers

Email is a powerful communication tool. But when misused, it becomes a source of frustration—thanks to spam. We’ve all seen those annoying messages promising quick wealth, miracle pills, or shady deals. But spam emails aren’t just irritating; they can be dangerous. Whether you're a casual user or an email marketer, understanding spam is crucial to keeping your inbox (and reputation) clean.

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What is Email Spam?

Email spam refers to unsolicited bulk messages sent through email. These messages are often sent for advertising, phishing, or malicious intent. Spammers use email to reach thousands (even millions) of inboxes with little cost and effort. Unfortunately, this floods our inboxes with irrelevant or harmful content.

But spam isn’t limited to scams. Sometimes, legitimate businesses unknowingly send spammy emails due to poor practices. That’s where things get tricky—because what seems like a harmless newsletter to you might look like spam to someone else (or worse, to spam filters).

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For Users: How to Avoid Email Spam

If you're a regular email user, spam can clutter your inbox and expose you to threats like malware or phishing attacks. Here’s how you can protect yourself:

1. Be Mindful Where You Share Your Email

Don’t post your email publicly on forums or websites. Spambots crawl the web to collect email addresses. Use a secondary email for sign-ups or newsletters.

2. Use Spam Filters

Most modern email providers (like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) have built-in spam filters. These automatically push suspicious emails into a spam folder. Make sure it’s enabled.

3. Don’t Interact with Suspicious Emails

Never click links or download attachments from unknown senders. Just opening these emails can sometimes signal to spammers that your email is active.

4. Unsubscribe from Unwanted Newsletters

Instead of deleting promotional emails every day, use the unsubscribe link at the bottom (if it’s a legitimate sender). This helps reduce inbox clutter.

5. Report Spam

Reporting spam helps email providers improve their filters. If enough users report a sender, future emails will likely get blocked automatically.

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For Email Marketers: How to Stay Out of the Spam Folder

Sending emails that go directly to spam is a nightmare for marketers. It ruins deliverability, harms your sender reputation, and affects business outcomes. Here’s how you can avoid that fate:

1. Get Permission (Always!)

Never buy email lists. Always use double opt-in methods to confirm that subscribers genuinely want your emails. Consent-based marketing is not just ethical—it performs better.

2. Avoid Spammy Language

Certain phrases trigger spam filters—like “Buy now!”, “Free gift”, “Act fast”, or “Guaranteed income.” Be professional, and write like you’re talking to a human.

3. Authenticate Your Emails

Use SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to authenticate your emails. These security settings help mail servers verify that you’re the rightful sender, reducing the chances of your emails being marked as spam.

4. Monitor Engagement

If subscribers aren’t opening your emails, it’s a red flag. Internet service providers (ISPs) track engagement to judge your sender reputation. Regularly clean your list to remove inactive users.

5. Use a Reputable Email Service Provider (ESP)

Platforms like Mailchimp, Brevo, or ConvertKit follow industry standards and offer tools to improve your deliverability.

6. Test Before You Send

Before launching a campaign, run tests to see how your email scores in terms of spam risk.

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How to Check If Your Email Will Land in Spam

A great way to test your email’s spam score is by using TestMailScore.com. It’s a completely free tool that analyzes your email for:

• Authentication records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

• Blacklist status

• Spammy content

• HTML/CSS errors

• And much more

You simply send a test email to the address they provide, and within seconds, you’ll get a detailed report. This can help you identify issues before hitting send.

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Conclusion

Email spam is a shared problem—users want clean inboxes, and marketers want better deliverability. Understanding what causes spam, how to avoid it, and how to test your emails for potential red flags can significantly improve your email experience, no matter which side you're on.

Whether you're protecting your inbox or sending your next campaign, don’t leave it to chance. Always test before you send.

🔍 Check your email score now at TestMailScore.com — it’s free, fast, and insightful!