How can I improve my email reputation and deliverability?

Summary

Improving email reputation and deliverability requires a holistic approach that blends technical expertise, strategic list management, and proactive monitoring. Understanding that email reputation reflects prior sending performance is foundational. Implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication is essential for verifying sender identity. Effective list hygiene, including regular removal of unengaged subscribers and managing complaints, is crucial. Warming up new IP addresses and segmenting email lists enhances engagement. Furthermore, consistently monitoring deliverability trends and sender reputation via tools like Google Postmaster Tools is crucial for identifying and addressing issues. Ethical sending practices, along with testing emails for optimal rendering, further support deliverability improvements.

Key findings

  • Reputation Reflects History: Email sender reputation is built upon past sending performance and practices.
  • Authentication is Key: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are critical for authenticating emails and preventing spoofing.
  • List Hygiene Matters: Maintaining a clean and engaged email list significantly boosts deliverability.
  • IP Warming Enhances Reputation: Gradual IP warming is essential when introducing new IP addresses.
  • Monitoring is Crucial: Regularly monitoring deliverability trends and sender reputation helps identify and resolve potential issues.
  • Segmentation Improves Engagement: Email list segmentation facilitates more targeted content, improving engagement.

Key considerations

  • Technical Implementation: Properly configure and maintain SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for effective authentication.
  • Data Privacy Compliance: Adhere to data privacy regulations and secure explicit consent from subscribers.
  • Content Quality and Relevance: Create engaging, valuable content that resonates with subscribers to minimize spam complaints.
  • Proactive List Management: Implement clear protocols for handling bounces, unsubscribes, and complaints.
  • Strategic Tool Selection: Choose appropriate tools for email verification and deliverability testing.
  • Continuous Improvement: Regularly evaluate and refine email marketing strategies based on performance data and evolving best practices.

What email marketers say
9Marketer opinions

Improving email reputation and deliverability involves a multifaceted approach encompassing technical configurations, list management practices, and content optimization strategies. Core recommendations include authenticating emails using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to verify sender identity and prevent spoofing. Maintaining good list hygiene is crucial; this involves regularly removing inactive subscribers, suppressing complainers, using double opt-in, and providing preference centers. Warming up new IPs gradually and avoiding spam traps are essential. Segmenting email lists allows for targeted content, boosting engagement. Finally, consistently monitoring deliverability and testing emails across platforms ensures optimal inbox placement and user experience.

Key opinions

  • Authentication: Implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is critical for verifying sender identity and improving deliverability.
  • List Hygiene: Regularly cleaning email lists by removing inactive subscribers and suppressing complainers significantly improves deliverability.
  • IP Warming: Gradually warming up new IP addresses is essential to establish a positive sender reputation.
  • Segmentation: Segmenting email lists allows for more targeted content, boosting engagement and deliverability.
  • Testing: Thoroughly testing emails across various platforms ensures optimal rendering and user experience.
  • Monitoring: Actively monitoring deliverability metrics and sender reputation helps identify and address potential issues.

Key considerations

  • Technical Setup: Ensure proper implementation and maintenance of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to avoid authentication failures.
  • Data Privacy: Adhere to data privacy regulations and obtain explicit consent from subscribers before sending emails.
  • Content Quality: Create engaging and relevant content that resonates with subscribers to avoid spam complaints.
  • List Management: Establish a clear process for handling bounces, unsubscribes, and complaints to maintain list hygiene.
  • Tool Selection: Choose appropriate email verification and deliverability testing tools to monitor and improve performance.
  • Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and update email marketing strategies based on performance data and industry best practices.
Marketer view

Email marketer from HubSpot emphasizes the importance of email segmentation for improving engagement and deliverability. They recommend segmenting your list based on demographics, behavior, purchase history, and other factors to send targeted and relevant content that resonates with your audience.

April 2024 - HubSpot
Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps recommends monitoring your email deliverability using deliverability testing tools to identify any issues that may be impacting your inbox placement. They explain that deliverability testing can help you identify spam filter triggers, authentication problems, and other factors that affect your deliverability.

December 2024 - GlockApps
Marketer view

Email marketer from ZeroBounce highlights the benefits of using email verification services to identify and remove invalid or risky email addresses from your list. They explain that email verification can help reduce bounce rates, improve sender reputation, and protect your deliverability.

June 2024 - ZeroBounce
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum shares tips for avoiding spam traps, including using a double opt-in process, validating email addresses at the point of entry, and regularly cleaning your email list to remove inactive or invalid addresses. They emphasize the importance of ethical email marketing practices.

September 2021 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Sendinblue explains the importance of email list hygiene for improving deliverability. They suggest regularly removing unengaged subscribers, suppressing known complainers, and using a preference center to allow subscribers to manage their communication preferences.

March 2022 - Sendinblue
Marketer view

Email marketer from Neil Patel's Blog explains that maintaining a good sender reputation is crucial for deliverability. He recommends authenticating your email using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, maintaining consistent sending volumes, and segmenting your email list to send targeted content.

July 2024 - Neil Patel's Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailchimp shares strategies to improve email deliverability, including cleaning your email list regularly to remove inactive subscribers, using a double opt-in process, avoiding spam trigger words, and monitoring your sender reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools.

July 2024 - Mailchimp
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains the importance of warming up a new IP address gradually to establish a positive sending reputation. They recommend starting with low volumes and gradually increasing over time, while monitoring deliverability metrics and engaging with subscribers.

May 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus recommends thoroughly testing your emails before sending to ensure they render correctly across different devices and email clients. They suggest using email testing tools to preview your emails, identify rendering issues, and optimize your designs for maximum impact.

February 2022 - Litmus

What the experts say
10Expert opinions

Improving email reputation and deliverability involves a combination of historical performance analysis, technical configurations, and proactive list management. A key element is understanding and monitoring trends in deliverability metrics and sender reputation tools like Google Postmaster Tools (GPT), which is often delayed by a couple of days. A positive IP reputation can lead to improved domain reputation. Critical strategies include consistent responsible sending behavior, warming up new IP addresses gradually, and maintaining a clean, engaged email list. Additionally, email authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial for verifying email legitimacy and boosting inbox placement.

Key opinions

  • Reputation as Prior Performance: Email reputation is fundamentally linked to past sending behaviors and performance.
  • Importance of Trends: Deliverability success hinges on identifying and acting upon trends, particularly regarding IP and domain reputation.
  • IP Warming: Gradual IP warming is crucial for new IP addresses to establish a good sender reputation.
  • List Hygiene: Maintaining a clean and engaged email list is essential to minimize spam flags and improve deliverability rates.
  • Authentication Protocols: Employing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC significantly enhances email legitimacy and inbox placement.
  • Proactive Sender Behavior: Consistently demonstrating responsible sending practices is paramount to a positive and improving sender reputation.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Trends Regularly: Continuously monitor GPT and other reputation tools, understanding that data may be delayed, and address unfavorable trends promptly.
  • List Maintenance: Implement stringent list management practices, including promptly removing unengaged subscribers and managing bounces to maintain list health.
  • Cautious IP Warming Strategy: Develop a carefully planned IP warming strategy with gradual volume increases, proper segmentation, and monitoring feedback loops.
  • Authentication Implementation: Ensure proper implementation and configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to avoid errors and maximize their effectiveness.
  • Responsiveness to Delivery Issues: Act swiftly to address any immediate delivery problems, recognizing that early intervention is often easier than correcting prolonged negative trends.
  • Prioritize Ethical Sending Practices: Adopt ethical sending practices, including respecting subscriber preferences, providing easy unsubscribe options, and avoiding spam triggers to sustain positive engagement and reputation.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that GPT is delayed by 2 days, but the trend is a good indicator.

August 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks clarifies that GPT is typically delayed by 2 days, unless the sender didn't meet the minimum volume to meet publication limits.

April 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains reputation is always about prior performance.

November 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that if IP reputation is improving, domain reputation should also improve over the next few days.

January 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource emphasizes the significance of email authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC in enhancing email deliverability and sender reputation. They highlight that implementing these authentication methods can help verify the legitimacy of emails, reduce the likelihood of being flagged as spam, and improve overall inbox placement.

November 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise discusses the importance of IP warming as a strategy to improve deliverability when using a new IP address. She explains the process involves gradually increasing sending volumes over time to establish a positive reputation with ISPs and mailbox providers. Proper planning and monitoring are essential for successful IP warming.

May 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource emphasizes the importance of understanding sender reputation as a key factor in email deliverability. They highlight that sender reputation is built over time based on sending practices, including authentication, list hygiene, and engagement rates. Improving reputation involves consistently demonstrating responsible sending behavior.

November 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that maintaining a clean and engaged email list is critical for optimal deliverability. This involves implementing strategies to identify and remove inactive subscribers, manage bounces, and handle complaints effectively. Regular list hygiene practices help minimize the risk of being flagged as spam and ensure emails reach intended recipients.

March 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks states that it's more concerning when delivery is initially bad, followed by reputation changes. It's easier to address if GPT is the leading indicator rather than the trailing indicator.

May 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks highlights that deliverability is about trends - whether you are trending up or down.

August 2023 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Improving email reputation and deliverability is heavily reliant on proper technical implementation and monitoring. Utilizing Google Postmaster Tools to monitor sender reputation and identify deliverability issues is a key strategy. Core authentication mechanisms like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are essential for verifying email legitimacy, preventing spoofing, and enhancing inbox placement. These are detailed in the RFC 7489 standard and specific documentation from DKIM.org and OpenSPF. Additionally, adhering to specific guidelines provided by major mailbox providers like Microsoft's Outlook.com can significantly improve deliverability.

Key findings

  • Importance of Authentication: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are essential for verifying email legitimacy and preventing spoofing.
  • Monitoring Tools: Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS are invaluable for monitoring sender reputation and identifying deliverability issues.
  • Standard Adherence: Following the DMARC standard (RFC 7489) helps protect domains from email spoofing and phishing attacks.
  • Provider Specific Guidelines: Adhering to specific guidelines provided by major mailbox providers improves deliverability to their users.

Key considerations

  • Proper Implementation: Ensure correct configuration and maintenance of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to avoid errors and maximize effectiveness.
  • Regular Monitoring: Continuously monitor sender reputation and deliverability metrics using available tools.
  • Policy Enforcement: Define and enforce policies for handling unauthenticated emails based on DMARC reports.
  • Adapting to Changes: Stay updated on best practices and policies from major mailbox providers and adapt strategies accordingly.
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor defines the DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) standard, explaining how to use it to protect your domain from email spoofing and phishing attacks. It outlines the steps for creating a DMARC record, specifying a policy for handling unauthenticated emails, and receiving reports about authentication failures.

February 2022 - RFC Editor
Technical article

Documentation from Google explains how to use Google Postmaster Tools to monitor your sender reputation, identify deliverability issues, and understand how Gmail users are interacting with your emails. They highlight the importance of keeping spam rates low and authenticating your email.

July 2024 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from OpenSPF explains how to create and configure SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records to specify which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. It outlines the syntax for SPF records and provides guidance on how to implement SPF effectively to prevent email spoofing.

January 2024 - OpenSPF.org
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft details best practices for improving deliverability to Outlook.com, including authenticating your email with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, monitoring your sender reputation using the Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) program, and adhering to Microsoft's sending policies.

January 2025 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from DKIM.org explains how to implement DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) to authenticate your email messages. It outlines the steps for generating a DKIM key pair, configuring your DNS records, and signing your emails with the DKIM signature to verify the sender's identity.

July 2023 - DKIM.org