How do I send Terms & Services emails to in-app users without disrupting deliverability?

Summary

To send Terms & Services emails to in-app users without disrupting deliverability, consider alternative channels if email isn't mandatory. Review best practices, check ESP AUP, and consult with your ESP. Implement a separate sending domain or subdomain, segment your audience (starting with engaged users), and warm up IPs for high volume sends. Prioritize email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and maintain good list hygiene by removing unengaged users. Continuously monitor your sender reputation via tools like Google Postmaster Tools, adapting to the evolving email ecosystem. Adhere to GDPR compliance and avoid spam triggers in your email content.

Key findings

  • Alternative Channels: Explore alternative communication channels beyond email for mandatory notifications.
  • Separate Sending: Employ a separate sending domain or subdomain to isolate transactional emails from marketing campaigns.
  • Segmentation and Engagement: Segment your audience, starting with the most engaged users, to minimize risk.
  • IP Warm-up: Gradually warm up new IP addresses for high-volume sending to establish a positive reputation.
  • Email Authentication: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for email authentication.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Monitor sender reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools and address any issues promptly.
  • Evolving Ecosystem: The email ecosystem is constantly changing; continuous monitoring and adaptation are essential.

Key considerations

  • ESP AUP Compliance: Ensure compliance with your Email Service Provider's Acceptable Use Policy.
  • GDPR Compliance: Comply with GDPR by obtaining consent where required and providing an unsubscribe option.
  • Spam Filter Triggers: Avoid language and formatting that might trigger spam filters.
  • List Hygiene: Maintain good list hygiene by regularly removing inactive or unengaged subscribers.
  • Sending Volume: Start with smaller sending volumes to a test group before sending to a large segment to avoid large scale issues.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

When sending Terms & Services emails to in-app users to avoid deliverability issues, experts recommend segmenting your audience, using a separate sending domain, and actively monitoring sender reputation. Consider alternative communication channels, ESP AUP policies, GDPR compliance, and avoiding spam trigger words. List hygiene and warming sending IPs are also considered helpful.

Key opinions

  • Segmentation: Segmenting your audience and sending targeted emails improves deliverability. Segment in-app users and personalize messages.
  • Separate Domain: Using a separate sending domain or subdomain isolates marketing email reputation from mandatory communications.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Actively monitor your sender reputation through tools like Google Postmaster Tools. Address any issues or spikes in spam complaints promptly.
  • Alternative Channels: Consider alternative communication channels besides email for mandatory notifications.
  • Email Authentication: Ensure email authentication and SPF/DKIM implementation.

Key considerations

  • ESP AUP: Check your Email Service Provider's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) before sending.
  • GDPR Compliance: Comply with GDPR by only sending to users with a contract or legal requirement. Provide an unsubscribe option.
  • Spam Filters: Avoid language that triggers spam filters. Use clear subject lines and include a physical address.
  • List Hygiene: Practice good email list hygiene by regularly removing inactive subscribers.
  • Engagement Rate: Improve engagement by sending to the most engaged users first.
  • Throttling: Consider throttling sending speed when sending to a new segment to monitor issues.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit suggests using a separate sending domain or subdomain specifically for transactional and T&S emails. This isolates your marketing email reputation from mandatory communications, minimizing the risk of deliverability issues.

May 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests checking the ESP's AUP before doing it.

May 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid shares advice on actively monitoring your sender reputation through tools like Google Postmaster Tools. Identify any issues or spikes in spam complaints promptly and take corrective actions to maintain a healthy sending reputation.

August 2023 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests if it's a mandatory communication (and zero marketing) then there are a few things you can do. He also asks how many recipients and if email is the only channel available.

November 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from SuperOffice explains it's essential to remain compliant with GDPR. For T&S emails, it means only sending these emails to users where a contract exists or as legal requirements require. Provide an option to unsubscribe, and respect that choice.

March 2024 - SuperOffice
Marketer view

Email marketer from Neil Patel shares that segmenting your audience and sending targeted emails can improve deliverability. For T&S emails, segment your in-app users who aren't regular subscribers and personalize the message to increase engagement.

December 2021 - Neil Patel
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests that just because it is mandatory communication it does not mean you must contact them via email. They give an example of a banking app showing a notification when you open it. They also suggest the document Matt shared is good to follow to minimize all risks and to discuss it with your ESP.

June 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow recommends throttling sending speed when sending to a new segment. A slow, steady ramp-up allows you to monitor responses and issues before sending to the entire group

November 2023 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus recommends practicing good email list hygiene by regularly removing inactive or unengaged subscribers. Sending to a clean list improves engagement rates and reduces the risk of deliverability issues.

February 2022 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests starting with your most engaged audience and working your way down to your least engaged to minimize risk upfront.

November 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass shares advice on avoiding language that might trigger spam filters. They suggest that using clear and concise subject lines, avoiding excessive punctuation, and including a physical mailing address in your email footer are good practice.

May 2021 - Gmass

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

To send Terms & Services emails to in-app users without harming deliverability, it's crucial to review established best practices documentation, consult with your ESP for specific options, continuously monitor email sending practices due to the evolving email ecosystem, and ensure a healthy 'from' reputation by implementing SPF and DKIM for authentication.

Key opinions

  • Best Practices Review: Review established best practices for sending mandated emails.
  • ESP Consultation: Consult with your Email Service Provider (ESP) for available options.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Continuously monitor email sending practices due to the evolving email ecosystem and adapt strategies accordingly.
  • Email Authentication: Implement SPF and DKIM to verify authorized sources and maintain a healthy 'from' reputation.

Key considerations

  • Evolving Ecosystem: The email sending ecosystem is constantly changing, requiring continuous adaptation.
  • Sender Reputation: A healthy 'from' reputation is essential for deliverability.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains the need to continuously monitor your email sending practices as the sending ecosystem is constantly changing, with mailbox providers updating their filtering techniques and users changing their engagement patterns. They advise adapting your strategy to remain compliant and maintain high deliverability.

August 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares a link to a document that should be reviewed: <https://www.m3aawg.org/sites/default/files/m3aawgsendingmandatedemailsbp.pdf>

November 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains the importance of a healthy 'from' reputation. They state that email senders should implement Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), which allows mailbox providers to verify that an email was sent from an authorized source.

June 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests talking to your ESP in advance as they may have options to help you with these types of messages.

October 2021 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

When sending Terms & Services emails to in-app users, documentation from various sources emphasizes the importance of using a separate setup for transactional emails, warming up IP addresses, employing email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and actively monitoring domain and IP reputation through tools like Google Postmaster Tools to maintain deliverability.

Key findings

  • Separate Setup: Transactional emails require a separate setup and IP address to avoid impacting marketing email deliverability.
  • IP Warm-up: Warming up a new IP address is crucial for high-volume sending to establish a positive sending reputation. Start with small batches and gradually increase volume.
  • Email Authentication: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) verifies legitimate emails and reduces the risk of being flagged as spam.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Google Postmaster Tools allows monitoring of domain and IP reputation, spam rates, and authentication status with Gmail users.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Bounce Rates: Monitor bounce rates and engagement metrics during the IP warm-up process.
  • Address Issues: Identify and address any issues affecting deliverability promptly based on monitoring data.
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost emphasizes the importance of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to improve deliverability. Implementing these protocols verifies that your emails are legitimate and reduces the chances of being flagged as spam.

May 2022 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from Mailchimp explains that transactional emails can be sent through their platform but require a separate setup and IP address to avoid impacting marketing email deliverability. It's recommended to authenticate your sending domain and monitor sending reputation.

August 2022 - Mailchimp
Technical article

Documentation from SendGrid explains the importance of warming up a new IP address when sending a high volume of emails. Start with small batches and gradually increase the volume to establish a positive sending reputation with ISPs. Monitor bounce rates and engagement metrics during the warm-up process.

August 2022 - SendGrid
Technical article

Documentation from Google explains that using Google Postmaster Tools helps you monitor your domain and IP reputation with Gmail users. This includes spam rates, feedback loop data, and authentication status, enabling you to identify and address any issues affecting deliverability.

August 2023 - Google