Email service providers may classify your messages as spam based on several factors, such as using a public domain for sending, compliance with DMARC policies, list health and acquisition practices, and internal email handling. By understanding these common triggers, you can implement measures to improve deliverability, helping your emails reach their intended recipients and maintain reliable communication.
Using free domains like gmail.com or yahoo.com to send emails can increase the likelihood of messages landing in spam folders. To improve email deliverability, send emails from a custom domain that aligns with your branding.
For example, you can set up a Branded Domain within the Business Profile Settings of your account to ensure that system notifications are sent from your own domain.
Furthermore, you can also add a dedicated domain in the Settings > Email Services section in your account for all emails to be sent from a domain you own.
If the domain you use to send emails has a DMARC policy, but you haven't verified the domain with your SMTP provider, your messages will likely go to spam. Check with your SMTP provider to ensure that your email messages pass DMARC.
If you send messages within the same domain from which the message originates, your internal mail may end up in spam. This is because your mailbox thinks it's being spoofed as it sees an email from itself that it didn't send. To avoid this, use a free email like Gmail.com to test your message or have the person in charge of your domain whitelist the IP address of your SMTP provider for internal mail.
If the technical aspects above are in order, list health and collection are essential factors determining deliverability. Ensure that:
Everyone on your list has given explicit consent to receive email marketing from you.
You regularly clean your list of unengaged subscribers to maintain a healthy sender reputation.
You implement a double opt-in to prevent bots from signing up.
Avoid sudden changes in how you send emails. Consistency helps in maintaining a good sender reputation.
Use recognizable domains and keep them active.
Send emails to a consistent number of subscribers, avoiding major fluctuations.
By addressing these common issues, you can improve your email campaign's deliverability and effectiveness and reduce the risk of being flagged as spam.
Q: How often should I clean my subscriber list?
It is advisable to review and clean your list every 3-6 months, depending on your sending frequency and list growth rate.
Q: What if my emails are still going to spam?
Review your sending practices, list health, and content quality.
Q: Can I use multiple domains for sending emails?
Yes, but ensure they are recognizable and have been active recently to avoid being flagged as spam.
