Summary
A SpamAssassin 'try it' message from mail-tester.com indicates that a URL within your email has triggered the URI_TRY_3LD rule or similar rules designed to identify potentially suspicious URLs based on patterns commonly found in spam. This doesn't necessarily mean the literal phrase 'try it' is present. The URI_TRY_3LD rule flags URLs that contain 'try', 'start', 'get', etc., in the hostname's third-level domain. SpamAssassin assigns a score to different email characteristics, and these flags contribute to the overall score. While it can affect inbox placement, a single flag doesn't guarantee your email will go to spam; it's one factor among many and can sometimes be a false positive. Email providers can customize SpamAssassin configurations, affecting the impact of specific rules. Therefore, focus on deliverability best practices: legitimate URLs, proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), list hygiene, engaging content, and building a good sender reputation, rather than obsessing over specific trigger words.
Key findings
- URI_TRY_3LD Trigger: 'Try it' message likely means a URL triggered SpamAssassin's URI_TRY_3LD rule due to keywords in the third-level domain.
- Pattern Matching: SpamAssassin identifies spam through patterns, not necessarily exact phrases.
- Score Contribution: 'Try it' flag contributes to an email's overall SpamAssassin score.
- Not a Guarantee of Spam: A single SpamAssassin flag does not guarantee an email will land in the spam folder.
- Customizable Configurations: SpamAssassin configurations can be customized by email providers, affecting rule impact.
- Best Practices Matter More: Focusing on best practices (authentication, list hygiene, content) is more effective than avoiding specific words.
Key considerations
- Review URLs: Carefully review all URLs in your email for suspicious patterns or keywords.
- Authentication: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured to improve deliverability.
- Sender Reputation: Build and maintain a positive sender reputation through consistent, responsible sending practices.
- Content Quality: Create engaging and valuable content to minimize spam complaints.
- Testing: Use tools like mail-tester.com to test your email's SpamAssassin score before sending.
- Perspective: Don't overreact to a single 'try it' flag; consider the overall context and quality of your email.
What email marketers say
10 marketer opinions
A SpamAssassin 'try it' message from mail-tester.com indicates that a URL in your email matched a broader regex pattern designed to catch spam-like URLs, not necessarily that the exact phrase 'try it' is present. While SpamAssassin contributes to an email's overall spam score, it's just one factor among many used by email providers. Focusing on best practices like proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), list hygiene, sender reputation, and engaging content is generally more effective than obsessing over specific words or SpamAssassin flags. Different providers may also customize SpamAssassin's configuration, meaning the impact of the 'try it' rule can vary. The key is to maintain a balance between good content and sender reputation.
Key opinions
- Regex Matching: The 'try it' message usually means a URL matched a SpamAssassin regex pattern, not the literal phrase.
- Not a Guarantee: A SpamAssassin flag doesn't guarantee your email will go to spam; it's one factor among many.
- Focus on Best Practices: Prioritize authentication, list hygiene, and engaging content over worrying about specific words.
- Custom Configuration: SpamAssassin's configuration and impact can vary between different email providers.
- Overall Score: SpamAssassin affects an email's overall spam score; exceeding a threshold means it will likely go to the user's spam/junk folder or could be rejected entirely.
Key considerations
- Review URLs: Check the URLs in your email to see if they appear suspicious or trigger any obvious spam filters.
- Sender Reputation: Focus on building a positive sender reputation to improve deliverability.
- Content Quality: Ensure your email content is engaging and avoids common spam trigger words, while still providing value to the recipient.
- Test and Monitor: Use tools to test your email's deliverability and monitor your sending reputation regularly.
- False Positives: Be aware that SpamAssassin flags can be false positives; don't overreact to a single flag.
Marketer view
Email marketer from GlockApps explains that content is an important part of your email's placement in the inbox. Even if you have authentication set up, if your content has any spam trigger words it will more likely be placed in the user's junk folder. It is important to have a balance between good content and authentication.
5 Dec 2022 - GlockApps
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks clarifies that the 'try it' message from mail-tester doesn't necessarily mean that the exact phrase is present in the URL. It indicates that the URL matches a broader regex pattern associated with that rule.
1 Nov 2023 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
A SpamAssassin 'try it' message signifies that a URL in your email has triggered a SpamAssassin rule designed to identify suspicious URIs, often due to patterns commonly found in spam. While the expert uses it themselves its relevance is limited as others may not rely on it. Reviewing the URLs and making sure they appear legitimate means you should not worry about the flag itself.
Key opinions
- Dodgy URI Pattern: The URL in the email has triggered SpamAssassin's inbuilt pattern for dodgy URIs.
- Rule Trigger: A 'try it' message means the email triggered one of the URI-related rules in SpamAssassin.
- Limited Relevance: The expert shares that whilst they still use the tool, its relevance is limited.
- Review URLs: Make sure your URLs are legitimate if they are then you should not worry about the flag.
Key considerations
- Inspect URLs: Carefully review the URLs in your email to ensure they are not suspicious or misleading.
- Context Matters: Consider the overall context of your email. A single 'try it' flag may not be a significant issue if the rest of your email is well-crafted and legitimate.
- False Positives: Understand that SpamAssassin flags can sometimes be false positives. Don't panic if you see one, especially if your URLs seem valid.
- URL Shorteners: Be careful using URL shorteners, they are known to trigger the URI related flags in spamassassin.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that SpamAssassin rules like URI_TRY_3LD are designed to catch common spam patterns, and a 'try it' message means your email triggered one of these rules based on the URLs it contains.
28 May 2025 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares that while he uses SpamAssassin for spam filtering, its relevance might be limited as others may not rely on it.
9 Jul 2021 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
A SpamAssassin 'try it' message indicates that the email's URL contains words such as 'try', 'start', or 'get' in the third-level domain, triggering the URI_TRY_3LD rule. This rule is designed to identify suspicious URLs often found in spam emails. SpamAssassin assigns scores to various email characteristics, and the 'try it' flag contributes to this score, influencing the probability of the email being marked as spam. Tools such as Mail-tester.com use SpamAssassin to undertake spam checks and test email content, identifying if SPF, DKIM and DMARC are set up correctly. SpamAssassin rules are continuously updated to adapt to new spam techniques.
Key findings
- URI_TRY_3LD Rule: The 'try it' message often results from the URI_TRY_3LD rule, flagging URLs with 'try', 'start', 'get' in the hostname's third-level domain.
- Spam Scoring: 'try it' flags contribute to the overall SpamAssassin score, impacting the likelihood of being marked as spam.
- Pattern-Based Filtering: SpamAssassin operates based on identifying patterns commonly found in spam.
- Spam Filter Testing: Mail-tester.com and similar tools use SpamAssassin to test and evaluate email content and settings.
- Regular Updates: SpamAssassin rules are regularly updated to adapt to evolving spam tactics.
Key considerations
- URL Structure: Avoid using potentially suspicious words like 'try', 'start', or 'get' in the third-level domain of your URLs.
- Overall Score: Remember that the 'try it' flag is just one factor contributing to your email's overall spam score.
- Content Testing: Use tools like mail-tester.com to test your email's content and configuration before sending.
- Stay Updated: Keep informed about current spam filtering techniques and adjust your email practices accordingly.
- SPF/DKIM/DMARC: Ensure you have set up your authentication settings correctly as this will ensure you can pass the tests used by mail-tester.com
Technical article
Documentation from cPanel explains that SpamAssassin utilizes a variety of rules to identify spam, and these rules are regularly updated. The 'try it' flag likely corresponds to one of these rules designed to detect patterns common in spam emails.
7 Aug 2024 - cPanel
Technical article
Documentation from SpamAssassin Wiki explains that the URI_TRY_3LD rule flags URLs containing 'try', 'start', 'get', etc., in the hostname's third-level domain. It's designed to catch suspicious URLs often found in spam.
7 Dec 2021 - SpamAssassin Wiki
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