How Does SpamAssassin Score Emails?

How Does SpamAssassin Score Emails?

SpamAssassin scores emails by running thousands of tests and assigning points for spam characteristics. It uses rule-based tests, content analysis, network tests, header analysis, HTML validation, and Bayesian filtering to evaluate emails.

Each test contributes positive or negative points to the overall spam score. Higher scores indicate higher spam probability. Scores are calculated by summing points from all tests, with detailed reports showing which tests contributed to the score.

Test your emails with our SpamAssassin test tool to see detailed scoring and identify issues affecting your spam scores.

Rule-Based Tests

Spam Pattern Detection

SpamAssassin uses thousands of rules that check for known spam patterns, words, phrases, and characteristics.

Rule Scoring

Each rule assigns points when matched:

• Positive points for spam characteristics
• Negative points for legitimate email characteristics
• Points vary by rule importance

Rule Categories

• Content rules (spam words, patterns)
• Header rules (authentication, structure)
• HTML rules (structure, validity)
• Network rules (blacklists, DNS)

Rule Updates

SpamAssassin rules are regularly updated to catch new spam patterns and techniques.

Content Analysis

Spam Word Detection

Analyzes email content for spam trigger words and phrases. Use our spam words checker to identify problematic content.

Pattern Recognition

Identifies suspicious patterns in content, subject lines, and email structure that indicate spam.

HTML Analysis

Validates HTML structure and content. Invalid HTML increases spam scores. Use our HTML validator to fix issues.

Bayesian Filtering

Uses statistical analysis to identify spam patterns based on word frequencies and content characteristics.

Network Tests

Blacklist Checks

Checks if sender IP or domain appears on email blacklists. Being blacklisted significantly increases spam scores. Check your blacklist status.

DNS Tests

Verifies DNS configuration, reverse DNS, and MX records. DNS issues increase spam scores.

Reputation Checks

Evaluates sender reputation based on network history and reputation databases.

Network Anomalies

Detects network anomalies, routing issues, and suspicious network patterns.

Score Calculation

SpamAssassin calculates scores by combining all test results:

Point Summation

All test points are summed to create the final spam score. Higher total scores indicate higher spam probability.

Score Interpretation

• 0-3: Excellent - Very low spam probability
• 3-5: Good - Low spam probability
• 5-7: Moderate - May be filtered
• 7+: High - Likely to be filtered as spam

Detailed Reports

SpamAssassin provides detailed reports showing which tests contributed points, helping identify specific issues to fix.

Testing

Use our SpamAssassin test tool to get detailed scoring and recommendations for improvement.