Yes. A spam email test sends a copy of your campaign to a test address, runs it through the same checks mailbox filters use, and returns a spam score (usually out of 10) with a list of what to fix. Free tools like Mail-Tester take about two minutes, and you should run one before sending any important campaign.
Which tools can test my spam score?
Each tool looks at a different part of the problem, so they work best together:
| Tool | What it tests | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Mail-Tester | Score out of 10 + full diagnostic (authentication, content, blacklists) | Before every important campaign |
| GlockApps | Inbox placement on Gmail, Outlook… (inbox, promotions or spam) | When opens drop for no obvious reason |
| MXToolbox | Public blacklist status of your domain and sending IP | If you suspect a blacklisting |
A score tool tells you why a message looks suspicious; an inbox placement test tells you where it actually lands. Neither is a guarantee: each mailbox provider uses its own filters and also weighs how your recipients engage with your emails.
How do I run a spam test with Mail-Tester?
- Open mail-tester.com and copy the test address shown.
- In Mailpro, build your campaign as you plan to send it (final subject line, sender, links and images).
- Send a test to that address (see how to send a test campaign).
- Click Check your score.
- Mail-Tester shows the score and the fixes needed. Fix the red items first, then test again.
Test the real version of the email. A quick “test” with placeholder text says nothing about the content you will actually send.
What does the spam score analyze?
- Authentication: SPF, DKIM, DMARC. Missing or failing records are the most common cause of a low score. See what SPF, DKIM and DMARC are.
- Content: text-to-image ratio, spam words, HTML tags. Filters such as SpamAssassin add points for each risky pattern.
- IP reputation: public blacklists.
- Technical format: correct headers, valid links, a working unsubscribe link.
How do I fix a low spam score?
| Problem flagged | What to do |
|---|---|
| SPF or DKIM fails | Add or correct the DNS records for your sending domain, then retest. |
| No DMARC record | Publish a DMARC policy (start with p=none to monitor). |
| Too many images, little text | Add real text; never send a single image as the whole email. |
| Spammy wording | Drop all caps, repeated exclamation marks and pushy phrases like “100% free” or “act now”. |
| Broken or shortened links | Use full links to your own domain and check that each one works. |
| Listed on a blacklist | Find out why, clean your list and request delisting: how to check a blacklist. |
If SpamAssassin rules are the main issue, see how to reduce your SpamAssassin score.
Does a good score mean my email will reach the inbox?
Not on its own. A 10/10 result shows your setup and content are clean, but Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo also look at your sending history, bounce rate and spam complaints. Sending to old or purchased lists can put a perfectly scored email in the spam folder. Keep your list clean and only email people who opted in.
Mailpro covers most of it for you
Mailpro applies best practices by default — SPF/DKIM auth, unsubscribe link, clean encoding, etc. But a final pre-flight check is still useful to validate your specific content. To follow your results over time, see what the Intelligent Deliverability Center is.
More on the deliverability hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is a spam email test free?
Basic tests are. Mail-Tester offers a few free tests per day and MXToolbox has free blacklist lookups. Inbox placement services such as GlockApps are usually paid beyond a trial.
How often should I test?
Before every important campaign, after you change your template or sending domain, and whenever open rates drop suddenly.
Can I test without sending to my real list?
Yes. A spam test only goes to the test address the tool gives you, so your contacts never receive it.
Mailpro and deliverability
Send campaigns that pass the spam test
Build your emails with the drag-and-drop editor, send from a GDPR-compliant platform hosted in Switzerland, and follow results with real-time statistics.