Spark glossary
Everything you need to understand email—clear, simple definitions from A to Z.
Unsubscribe
Unsubscribing removes you from email lists you don't want. Learn how unsubscribe links work, why some don't work, and how to unsubscribe in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark.
Trash folder
The trash folder stores deleted emails temporarily before permanent deletion. Learn how long emails stay in trash, how to recover them, and how to empty trash in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark.
Spam filter
Spam filters automatically detect and block unwanted emails. Learn how spam filters work, why legitimate emails sometimes get blocked, and how to improve filtering accuracy.
Spam email
Spam email is unwanted junk mail that clogs your inbox. Learn how spammers operate, why spam filters sometimes fail, and how to reduce spam in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark.
Read receipt
A read receipt confirms when someone opens your email. Learn how read receipts work in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark, plus why they're not always reliable.
Queued email
Queued emails are messages waiting to send due to connectivity issues, server problems, or sending limits. Learn why emails get queued and how to resolve this issue.
Phishing email
Phishing emails impersonate trusted senders to steal passwords and data. Learn how to identify phishing attempts and protect yourself from email scams.
One-click unsubscribe
One-click unsubscribe lets recipients opt out instantly without logging in or filling forms. Learn how it works and why major email providers now require it.
Non-delivery report (NDR)
A non-delivery report (NDR) is an automated email telling you your message couldn't be delivered. Learn common causes and how to fix delivery failures.
Mail merge
Learn what mail merge is and how to use it in Gmail, Outlook, and Excel. Step-by-step guide to creating personalized mass emails with mail merge tools.
Two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second security layer to your email account. Learn how 2FA works, setup steps for Gmail/Outlook, and best practices.
Labels in email
Email labels are tags you apply to messages for organization. Unlike folders, one email can have multiple labels. Learn how labels work and when to use them.
GDPR: The general data protection regulation
GDPR is the EU's data protection regulation governing how you collect, store, and use email addresses. Learn compliance requirements for email marketing and privacy.
HTML email
HTML email uses code to add formatting, images, and links to messages. Learn how HTML emails work, when to use them, and best practices for design and deliverability.
IMAP
IMAP is the protocol that lets you access email from any device while keeping messages synced on the server. Learn how IMAP works and why it beats POP3.
Junk mail folder
The junk mail folder (or spam folder) is where your email client automatically sends suspicious messages. Learn how it works and how to manage it effectively.
AI email writer
An AI email writer is a tool that uses artificial intelligence to generate, edit, and improve emails automatically based on your input.
Email alias
An email alias is an alternate email address that delivers to your main inbox. Learn how to create and manage email aliases in Gmail, Outlook, and other providers.
Alternative email address
An alternative email address is a secondary email you can use alongside your main one—helping you organize messages, protect your primary inbox, or recover your account if needed.
AMP for email
AMP for Email lets you add interactive elements like forms, carousels, and real-time updates directly in messages. Learn how it works and which clients support it.
ARC (Authenticated Received Chain)
ARC (Authenticated Received Chain) preserves email authentication when messages are forwarded or modified. Learn how ARC prevents legitimate emails from failing SPF and DKIM checks.
AOL Mail
AOL Mail is a free webmail service launched in 1993, one of the earliest email platforms. Learn about its features, how it compares to modern clients, and who still uses it.
Analytics for email
Email analytics tracks how people interact with your messages through opens, clicks, bounces, and more. Learn which metrics matter and how to measure email performance.
Archive an email
Email archiving moves messages out of your inbox into long-term storage without deleting them. Learn how to archive emails in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark effectively.
Email attachment
Email attachments are files you send with your messages. Learn attachment size limits, security best practices, and how to handle attachments in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark.
Auto-delete
Auto-delete automatically removes old emails after a set period. Learn how to set up auto-delete rules in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark to manage inbox clutter safely.
Auto-fill email address
Auto-fill email address suggests contacts as you type in the "To" field. Learn how auto-fill works in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark, and how to manage suggestions.
Auto-sorting
Auto-sorting automatically organizes incoming emails into folders or labels based on rules. Learn how to set up smart email sorting in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark.
Bulk deleting emails
Bulk deleting lets you delete multiple emails at once instead of one by one. Learn how to mass delete emails in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark to clear inbox clutter quickly.
Canned email
A canned email is a pre-written template you save and reuse for common responses. Learn how to create canned responses in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark to reply faster.
Recover deleted emails
Learn how to recover deleted emails in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark. Most email services keep deleted messages for 30 days before permanent deletion.
Email automation
Email automation uses rules and triggers to handle repetitive tasks automatically. Learn how to set up filters, auto-replies, and workflows in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark.
Flagged as spam
When emails are flagged as spam, they go to the spam folder instead of the inbox. Learn why this happens and how to fix spam filtering issues in Gmail, Outlook, and Spark.