How do deceptive reply chains trigger spam rules?

Adding "Re:" or "Fwd:" to subject lines without genuine conversation history is a deceptive tactic that filters specifically detect. This trick attempts to make cold outreach appear as ongoing conversation.

Filters analyze message headers for legitimate reply chains. A message with "Re: Our conversation" that lacks proper In-Reply-To and References headers, or that does not reference an existing thread, fails this validation.

Some filters also detect common fake reply patterns: generic phrases like "Re: Your inquiry" or "Re: Quick question" sent to recipients who never initiated contact.

This tactic damages sender reputation beyond the immediate filtering impact. It signals manipulative intent, which affects how filters evaluate all future messages from that sender.

Fabricating a history of trust violates the foundation of communication. Start genuine conversations rather than pretending they already exist.

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