I think I’ve shared this here before but it is worth repeating…
SPAM filters hate direct links in your bulk emails. Even more, they REALLY HATE Bitly, Tiny URL and the like.
Here’s why. When you create an email in your service providers system (MailChimp, aWeber, Infusionsoft, etc) your ESP changes the link in your email to their domain. This way they can track the clicks to your links since they first redirect through their server.
As an example, if your email reads http://mycooldomain.com/link behind the scenes, Infusionsoft would change the link to http://mycooldomain.infusionsoft.com/garbledy-gook. After a user clicks on the link, Infusionsoft is able to track the click and then send them on to the right website.
What the SPAM filter is seeing is a non-matching link. The visual part of your email says one thing, but the code says something else. This is a popular trick used by phishing scams to get your bank info. The link may say BankofAmerica.com but it’s actually sending you somewhere else.
Your email goes directly to SPAMland!
Much better to use a hyperlink. Something like “Watch the Video here” or “Visit the Website.”
As for link shorteners like Bitly, SPAM filters know that every SPAMMER is trying to hide their real intentions behind a generic link. Bitly is a popular way for them to do that. Using a link shortening service is an almost 100% sure way to end up in a SPAM folder.
