How can I optimize email deliverability when migrating to a subdomain and experiencing Gmail reputation drops?
Summary
What email marketers say14Marketer opinions
Email marketer from HubSpot Blog states segmenting your email list based on engagement, demographics, and other factors allows you to send more targeted and relevant emails. This can improve engagement rates and overall deliverability. Send targeted emails
Email marketer from AWeber Blog advises signing up for feedback loops (FBLs) with major mailbox providers like Gmail and Microsoft. FBLs provide valuable information about complaints and spam reports, allowing you to identify and address issues quickly.
Email marketer from Email on Acid Blog recommends actively monitoring your sender reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools and Sender Score. These tools provide insights into your reputation with different mailbox providers, allowing you to identify and address issues proactively.
Email marketer from Mailjet Blog shares that during a subdomain migration, gradually increase sending volume from the new subdomain. Start with your most engaged users and monitor deliverability metrics closely. Authenticate your subdomain properly using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that the core issue revolves around data, strategy, and marketing, which is subsequently causing delivery problems. He suggests identifying and segmenting contacts based on engagement: deleting dead contacts (never clicked in 3+ months), re-engaging lapsed purchasers, considering limited re-engagement for non-purchasers, and binning those inactive for 2+ years.
Email marketer from SendGrid Blog explains the importance of a gradual IP warmup process when using new sending infrastructure. Start with small volumes and increase gradually based on engagement. Avoid sending to unengaged users during the warmup phase.
Email marketer from Litmus Blog recommends thoroughly testing your emails before sending to ensure they render correctly across different devices and email clients. Use email testing tools to identify and fix any rendering issues that could negatively impact engagement. Check links, images and content render as expected
Email marketer from SparkPost Blog emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clean and engaged email list. Regularly remove unengaged subscribers and implement a double opt-in process to ensure high-quality subscribers. Remove old and unengaged emails.
Marketer from Email Geeks shares a rule of thumb, stating that total active volume per month should not be less than total inactive volume per month. They suggest applying a definition of "active," counting recipients, and looking at emails per month to those recipients. They then suggest doing the same for inactive contacts.
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests moving a percentage of lower engagement campaigns (A and SS) with the higher engagement campaigns instead of moving all at once at the end. They explain that low engagement left on MTA 1 could be crippling the parent domain.
Email marketer from Reddit shares to start slow with the new subdomain, sending only to your most engaged users. Gradually increase volume and monitor your Gmail Postmaster Tools to ensure your reputation remains positive. Segment your list and target active users first.
Email marketer from Stack Overflow advises that high bounce rates are a red flag to mailbox providers. Clean your email list to remove invalid or inactive email addresses. Use a reputable email verification service to identify and remove risky addresses.
Email marketer from ReturnPath Blog (now Validity) advises monitoring your sender reputation closely and addressing any issues promptly. Maintain a consistent sending volume and avoid sudden spikes in email activity. Ensure your emails are relevant and engaging to recipients.
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests considering timezone consistency, daily max emails per IP, hourly traffic density, and data quality distribution across MTAs. He notes the importance of data quality, stating good data sends easier than less good.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that a new subdomain's IP address can impact deliverability. He suggests carefully monitoring IP reputation during the transition phase and ensuring it's not blacklisted.
Expert from Word to the Wise mentions focusing on engagement metrics, such as open rates and click-through rates, as these are important factors in determining deliverability. Low engagement can negatively impact sender reputation and cause Gmail reputation drops.
Expert from Spam Resource shares that using a separate subdomain for marketing vs. transactional email helps protect the primary domain's reputation. During migration, gradually increase the volume on the new subdomain to build its reputation.
What the documentation says5Technical articles
Documentation from DMARC.org explains the importance of implementing a DMARC policy with a 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject' setting to protect your domain from email spoofing and phishing attacks. Monitor DMARC reports to identify and address any authentication issues.
Documentation from RFC explains proper SPF record syntax and usage to authorize sending servers. Ensure your SPF record is correctly configured to list all authorized sending sources for your domain/subdomain.
Documentation from Gmail Help explains that you must set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication for your sending domain/subdomain. Also ensure that sending domains or IPs have valid forward and reverse DNS records, and keep your spam rate reported in Postmaster Tools below 0.10% and avoid ever reaching a rate of 0.30% or higher.
Documentation from Microsoft Docs recommends using the Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) to monitor the health of your sending IPs. SNDS provides data about complaints, spam trap hits, and other metrics that can help you identify and address deliverability issues. Also recommends joining their JMRP (Junk Mail Reporting Program)
Documentation from DKIM.org explains how to properly implement DKIM signing for your emails to verify the authenticity of your messages. Use strong cryptographic keys and ensure your DKIM signature is valid.