How can I resolve email deliverability issues with Proofpoint when emails are not bouncing or going to spam?
Summary
What email marketers say13Marketer opinions
Email marketer from SendPulse explains that using a dedicated IP address can improve sender reputation and deliverability, particularly when sending large volumes of email. A dedicated IP can isolate your sending reputation from others.
Email marketer from Iterable suggests implementing a double opt-in process to ensure subscribers have explicitly consented to receive emails. This helps reduce spam complaints and improves email deliverability.
Email marketer from Validity recommends regularly monitoring sender reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS. This helps identify potential deliverability problems and allows senders to proactively address them.
Email marketer from Spiceworks said they've had luck contacting Proofpoint's support team directly. They mention that Proofpoint support can provide specific information about why emails are being blocked and suggest remediation steps.
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests identifying subscribers using Proofpoint and suppressing them from mailings until the issue is resolved, checking Cloudmark and SORBS, and asking the people who want the email to check the Proofpoint quarantine and add the sender's domain to the safe sender list.
Email marketer from Mail সেন shares that email deliverability issues can stem from an unmaintained email list. Regularly cleaning the list, removing disengaged subscribers, and those that have hard bounced can assist in improving overall email deliverability.
Email marketer from Constant Contact explains the importance of segmenting email lists based on engagement. Sending targeted emails to active subscribers increases engagement rates and improves sender reputation.
Email marketer from ActiveCampaign explains the importance of warming up new IP addresses. Gradually increasing sending volume over time helps establish a positive sender reputation with ISPs and avoid being flagged as spam.
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests sharing the sending IPs to check Cloudmark data and contacting postmaster@proofpoint for assistance.
Email marketer from Reddit notes that Proofpoint often quarantines emails without sending bouncebacks, stopping them before they reach recipients and providing no information to the sender. They say they don't know the next steps from there.
Email marketer from ZeroBounce emphasizes the importance of regularly validating email addresses to remove invalid or inactive addresses from the email list. This reduces bounce rates and improves sender reputation.
Email marketer from Mailjet indicates that it's important to authenticate email sending domain with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. They explain how to correctly configure each of these to ensure email is properly authenticated and delivered.
Email marketer from GlockApps recommends using email testing tools to check email placement across different ISPs and identify potential deliverability issues before sending to a live audience. These tests simulate real-world inbox placement.
What the experts say6Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks suggests that if even one upset subscriber asks their mail admin 'WTF?' and relays the answer back, it might be enlightening.
Expert from Email Geeks suggests that the email deliverability issues with Proofpoint could be due to bad content or the recipients not wanting the mail.
Expert from Email Geeks suggests that it doesn't hurt to ask Proofpoint, as they are reasonable and helpful, but corporate filters prioritize the company's needs.
Expert from Email Geeks clarifies that 'bad content' refers to URLs or content in the email body that are also found in unwanted mail.
Expert from Email Geeks explains if subscribers want the mail and it is valuable to the companies business admins can get the mail by asking their admins. As an outsider it is unlikely to influence the decision if mail isnt valuable to business goals.
Expert from Word to the Wise explains Proofpoint Essentials uses IP reputation to filter messages. The article provides a real life example of troubleshooting that.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Proofpoint Knowledge Base explains how end users can manage their own quarantined emails. End users can release messages, whitelist senders, and manage blocked senders to allow/prevent delivery of future messages.
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin explains that setting up feedback loops (FBLs) with major ISPs allows senders to monitor complaint rates and identify potential issues affecting deliverability. High complaint rates can negatively impact sender reputation.
Documentation from Proofpoint Support explains how to use the false positive/false negative reporting system (tickets) to make a case that an email should not be quarantined or to report spam that is getting through. There are forms available in both directions.
Documentation from Proofpoint Essentials Admin Guide explains the settings on connection management to block or allow IPs and countries.