Does mentioning covid-19 in email impact deliverability?

Email marketer from Reddit user u/EmailExpert123 shares that they noticed a slight dip in deliverability when using COVID-related terms early in the pandemic, but it normalized as long as their sending practices were clean and their list was engaged.

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that they haven't seen Covid-19 related words impacting deliverability lately. Generally, if the email setup is correct, kosher, and the email is consented-to, words like that alone should not cause a problem.

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that it's not a thing, however, Covid can be a divisive topic and might spike complaints (even with consented subscribers) because it might cause some malice.

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that early in the pandemic, some mailbox providers were indeed filtering emails containing COVID-19 related terms due to the high volume of scams and misinformation. However, this was a temporary measure and now depends more on overall email practices.

Email marketer from Stack Overflow user TechyEmailGuy responds that deliverability issues related to COVID-19 are more likely due to increased spam filtering in general and less due to specific keyword blocking. They suggest focusing on DKIM, SPF, and DMARC authentication.

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum user SarahM mentions that her emails referencing COVID-19 had no major deliverability impact, but she made sure to provide valuable information and avoid sensationalizing the topic.

Email marketer from Sendinblue shares that while direct filtering of emails mentioning Covid-19 is less common now, the topic can still influence deliverability indirectly. Content should be handled sensitively to avoid triggering spam filters or negative user engagement.

Email marketer from Litmus responds that while not a direct cause, emails referencing Covid-19 might face scrutiny due to increased vigilance against phishing and scams. They suggest focusing on clear messaging and authentic communication to maintain deliverability.

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that at the beginning of the outbreak, some French ISPs blocked emails in sight if they contained Covid-19 related keywords because of scams but this was temporary.

Email marketer from Gmass responds that some email providers flagged COVID-19 related emails as potential scams in the early days of the pandemic. The key takeaway is to establish trust and ensure your list consists of engaged subscribers.

Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, responds that while not a direct block, the topic of COVID-19 increased scrutiny on email content. Therefore, using clear, vetted information and having a good sending reputation are key to maintaining deliverability when referencing the pandemic.

Expert from Email Geeks simply says it's definitely not a thing.

Documentation from Microsoft explains that Microsoft's SmartScreen Filter analyzes email content and sender reputation. While not explicitly targeting Covid-19 related terms, emails perceived as suspicious due to content or sending patterns might be filtered.

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools states that while specific keywords aren't directly penalized, sudden spikes in sending volume related to trending topics like Covid-19 can affect sender reputation. Maintain consistent sending practices to mitigate risks.

Documentation from Spamhaus states that Spamhaus doesn't specifically block emails based on keywords like Covid-19, but they monitor for spam campaigns that exploit trending topics. Ensure emails comply with best practices to avoid being flagged.