Posted by Jerry Stuckle on 08/23/06 02:43

DR wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I am trying to understand what I need to do to prevent emails from
> going into the junk folder. Leaving consent aside, here is what I've
> found so far:
>
> 1. Return-Path and From should have valid email addresses;
>
> 2. Better have the recipient NAME together with his email address;
>
> 3. Plain text email is reportedly safer than HTML;
>
> 4. Use HELO protocol (still need to figure out what this is and if I
> can use it with PHP's mail() function);
>
> 5. Remove the X-Mailer header (saw this recommendation in some posting,
> not sure if true).
>
> Would very much appreciate additions to this list. E.g. should I have
> the MESSAGE-ID header and why?
>
> Many thanks in advance,
>
> DR
>

You can't guarantee your email won't be listed as spam - you have no
control over what the user has set up.

However - ensure you have a double opt-in signup. Ensure the body of
your email has a valid opt-out link.

You can't control the HELO protocol - that's the MTA's job. But if your
server is set up properly, there should be no problem. And along the
same lines, your server needs to have a valid R(everse)DNS entry.

And don't send unsolicited email. Almost guaranteed to get your email
server blacklisted and your account canceled.

Never heard about the X-Mailer, but probably a good idea to leave it off
unless you can exactly match the mailer you purport to be. Programs
like SpamAssassin will key on incorrect headers for the reported mailer.

And message-id header will also be added by your MTA if it doesn't
already exist. I just let the MTA do it.

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================

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