Can certain naming choices in an envelope domain trigger spam filters?
Summary
What email marketers say10Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Reddit user shares that using a subdomain like 'alerts' is generally safe if properly authenticated but warns against anything overtly spammy or mimicking legitimate services (e.g., 'paypal-alerts').
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that they wouldn’t expect domain name choice alone to trigger a spam filter.
Email marketer from GlockApps shares that spam keywords in your domain name should be avoided. If spam filters detect this, it can reduce your email deliverability.
Email marketer from Mailjet shares that using legitimate-looking domain names is crucial. Avoid anything that could be perceived as phishing or spam-related, as this can negatively impact your sender reputation.
Email marketer from SendPulse shares that sender reputation is heavily influenced by the domain name you choose, and it's important to create a domain name that has no association with illegal business.
Email marketer from StackExchange shares that while not a direct trigger, a poorly chosen domain name (e.g., containing known spam keywords) can contribute to a lower sender reputation and increased filtering, especially for new domains.
Email marketer from Litmus shares that a relevant domain name can improve deliverability and build trust. Using a clear domain name lets people know who you are and why you're emailing them.
Email marketer from Neil Patel shares that while the specific words may not always trigger filters, using deceptive or misleading domain names will damage your sender reputation, indirectly leading to increased spam filtering.
Email marketer from Email on Acid shares that proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential, but the domain name itself should also be chosen carefully to avoid raising red flags with spam filters.
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that filters don't really care about the lexical aspects of domains unless it looks fraudulent.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Spam Resource shares that domain names resembling phishing attempts (e.g., paypa1.com) or using excessive hyphens or numbers will likely attract spam filters, even with proper authentication.
Expert from Email Geeks answers that using names like 'alerts' in an envelope domain should be fine, provided it is properly authenticated.
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that while specific words aren't always direct triggers, a domain name that creates a negative perception impacts sender reputation, indirectly affecting deliverability. Perceived intent matters.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools explains that domain reputation is a key factor, and using misleading or spammy-sounding domain names can negatively impact your sender reputation, leading to filtering.
Documentation from DMARC.org explains that to prevent brand impersonation, domain names should be carefully chosen to not mimic other legitimate brands. Using a similar domain name to a major brand is a bad idea.
Documentation from Microsoft explains that using a domain name that is similar to a well-known brand or service can be flagged as phishing and impact deliverability.
Documentation from RFC Editor explains that while RFCs don't explicitly forbid certain words, they emphasize the importance of clear and unambiguous domain names for reliable email delivery. Confusing or suspicious names can lead to deliverability issues.