Subject line stats that matter

Email inboxes in the modern day are nothing short of a digital cacophony of noise. Left alone, your unread emails will stack up very quickly, with emails coming from a whole host of sources talking about a range of different topics. Relating to my own role, I’ve now accrued a mighty list of PPC and Digital Marketing newsletters that populate my inbox, with the subject line often being the only distinguishing factor in my decision to open or skip past an email.

For the email marketer, this makes grabbing the attention of your audience more difficult, but when done right, it can totally transform your results and open rates. As your subject line is the first point of contact with your intended audience, mastering the subject line is the difference between an opened email and just another unread email bound to the annals of history.

In this blog, we intend to explore the world of statistics to gain a deeper understanding of the science behind subject lines and discover the secrets that make users stop scrolling and engage with your content. 

30 Subject Line Statistics That Will Keep You Ahead Of The Game 

Statistics relating to your offering in the subject line

1. Subject lines having discount-based offers have a below-average opening rate of 38.31%
2. Using offers or special deals in the subject line increases email open rates by 14% and click-through rates by 34%
3. Using offers or special deals in the subject line increases email open rates by 14% and click-through rates by 34%
4. As per the research, 10.7% of cart abandonment emails lead to recovery

Facts about formatting your email subject lines

1. Emails with 6-10 words have the highest open rates at 21%
2. Only 6.9% out of 1000 subject lines contain emojis
3. Subject lines with the first word capitalised have a 16.7% open rate
4. Those with emojis in the subject line has an open rate of 13.65%
5. Emails with the subject line “Re:” perform 92% worse than other subject lines
6. 21- to 25-word subject lines only have a 9% open rate
7. A question mark in email subject lines increases the number of opens by 44.437%
8. Exclamation marks are attention catchers, and 29% of marketers use them in their subject lines for abandoned cart emails
9. 82% of marketers aim to keep their subject line length under 60 characters
10. Emails that do not have a name in the subject line have an opening rate of 15.70%
11. Emails with no subject have an open rate of 8% more than those with a subject line
12. Emails with “Fw.” in the subject line were opened 17% less than those that don’t

How does your language impact opening rates?

1. Subject lines containing the recipient’s first name can increase open rates by 22.2%
2. The mere presence of the term “newsletter” can result in an 18% reduction in open rates, while subject lines featuring “you” may lead to a 5% decline in email open rates
3. Subject lines posing a question can lead to a 44% higher open rate
4. Email subject lines that are interactive have 70% higher opening rates
5. Email subject lines that create a sense of urgency can result in a 22% higher open rate
6. Email subject lines with how-to topics having the keyword “how to” have an average open rate of 37.2%
7. 33% of email recipients open emails because of catchy subject lines
8. Subject lines that create curiosity have a 22% higher open rate

And some miscellaneous facts for good measure…

1. 47% of email recipients decide whether to open an email based on the subject line
2. 69% of email recipients report email as spam based solely on the subject line
3. According to research, only 45% of abandoned cart emails are opened
4. A/B testing your email subject lines and content can boost your ROI by 28%
5. The industry with the highest open rate is government, at 28.77%, while the industry with the lowest open rate is Vitamin Supplements, at only 15.03%
6. 81% of emails are now opened and read on mobile devices

Bolster Your Marketing Efforts With Embryo

Crafting an enticing email subject line is key to your email open rate success. Data suggests that a more personalised approach leads to a more engaged audience, while FOMO and curiosity are also big “hooks” that can help capture your audience’s attention.

Subject to endless emails on a neverending basis, mastering the art of the subject line is the clear-cut way to separate yourself from the crowd.

In short, writing an email with a generic subject line is the quickest way to waste a marketing effort. Take the time to know your audience and tailor your email subject line to the person who’s receiving it. Only then will you sow the seeds of success.

At Embryo, we know a bit about marketing, and the art of the email subject line is no different. To understand how we can assist with your marketing efforts across a whole range of channels, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@embryo.com or on 0161 327 2635.

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Sources used in this article: 

• https://zipdo.co/email-subject-line-statistics/
• https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/email-subject-line-statistics/
• https://www.writecream.com/2021-email-subject-line-statistics-that-will-blow-your-mind/
• https://www.invitereferrals.com/blog/email-subject-line-statistics/
• https://gitnux.org/email-subject-line-statistics/
• https://www.invespcro.com/blog/email-subject-lines-statistics-and-trends/
• https://email.uplers.com/blog/8-email-subject-line-statistics/
• https://www.zippia.com/advice/email-subject-line-statistics/