How reliable are GlockApps deliverability placement reports and what are the alternatives?

Summary

Experts, marketers, and documentation sources offer a nuanced perspective on GlockApps deliverability reports. While GlockApps may be used to get a quick and easy view of inbox placement, many caution against relying solely on its data. Concerns include potential inconsistencies with real-world data and that they only provide a limited snapshot. It's recommended to use GlockApps in conjunction with other methods and other tools, as well as real world data. Alternatives mentioned include Validity Everest, Google Postmaster Tools, and Microsoft SNDS. A good sender reputation is crucial for results on GlockApps, as well as overall deliverability. It is highly recommended to use more than one testing service.

Key findings

  • GlockApps Limitations: GlockApps provides a snapshot, not a comprehensive view, of deliverability.
  • Inconsistencies: Reported inconsistencies exist between GlockApps data and real-world email performance.
  • Alternative Tools: Tools like Validity Everest, Google Postmaster Tools, and Microsoft SNDS can be used as complements or alternatives to GlockApps.
  • Sender Reputation Key: A strong sender reputation is essential for good delivery and affects GlockApps results.
  • Authentication Matters: Email authentication protocols (like SPF) positively influence deliverability and sender reputation.

Key considerations

  • Data Validation: Validate GlockApps results against real-world ESP data, postmaster tools, and other monitoring services.
  • Holistic Approach: Implement a comprehensive strategy including sender reputation management, feedback loop engagement, and authentication.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Monitor deliverability metrics continuously and adjust strategies based on evolving trends.
  • Multiple Tools: It is essential to use multiple tools to test deliverability, not just rely on GlockApps.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

Experts and marketers have mixed opinions on the reliability of GlockApps deliverability placement reports. While some find them useful for a quick snapshot of inbox placement and initial testing, many caution against relying solely on their data. Concerns include inconsistent results, discrepancies with real-world data, and a tendency to cause unnecessary panic. Alternatives to GlockApps include Validity Everest, Google Postmaster Tools, and Microsoft SNDS. A common recommendation is to use a combination of tools and techniques, including monitoring sender reputation, engaging with feedback loops, authenticating email, and analyzing engagement metrics directly from the ESP.

Key opinions

  • Reliability Concerns: GlockApps results may be inconsistent with actual inbox placement and should be taken with a grain of salt.
  • Alternative Tools: Validity Everest, Google Postmaster Tools, and Microsoft SNDS are viable alternatives or complements to GlockApps.
  • Quantitative vs. Qualitative: Seed tests like GlockApps provide quantitative data, but real-world data and organic metrics offer more accurate insights.
  • Root Cause Analysis: GlockApps can highlight a deliverability problem, but investigation into authentication, sender reputation and list quality is also recommended.

Key considerations

  • Data Validation: Validate GlockApps results with real-world data from ESPs, postmaster tools, and other deliverability monitoring services.
  • Holistic Approach: Adopt a comprehensive deliverability strategy that includes monitoring sender reputation, engaging with feedback loops, and authenticating email.
  • Understanding Limitations: Recognize that GlockApps provides a limited snapshot of deliverability and may not reflect individual subscriber behavior.
  • Sender Reputation: Having a good sender reputation is key to getting good delivery of your emails and good results on GlockApps.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests that Gmail legacy inboxes may not be great for Gmail placement and recommends looking at Gmail stats/postmaster tools to assess deliverability. If strong opens and high domain reputation are present, there's likely no need to worry.

October 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Vendor Selection suggests that while GlockApps can be helpful for initial testing, it's essential to validate its results with real-world data and other deliverability monitoring tools to get a comprehensive view of inbox placement.

November 2024 - Email Vendor Selection
Marketer view

Email marketer from GMass explains the importance of inbox placement testing to ensure emails reach the intended recipients' inboxes and suggests using tools like GlockApps to monitor and improve placement rates.

March 2023 - GMass
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that people use GlockApps because they want to know about their email placement, and it's often the only data they have available.

April 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow advises that you should use multiple tools for email testing not just seed based testing as that is not as accurate as real user data.

September 2022 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailDeliverability.com advises that having a good sender reputation is the best way of getting good delivery of your emails and better results on GlockApps.

May 2021 - EmailDeliverability.com
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks warns that GlockApps deliverability placement reports tend to waste time and advises taking them with a grain of salt, as organic data is more accurate.

April 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares how GlockApps' results can make you feel like you have a deliverability problem. For example, the results tells them they are on 12 blocklists but when you actually run their domain through <https://multirbl.valli.org/> they are fine

December 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet recommends using a combination of tools and techniques, including seed list testing (like GlockApps), feedback loops, and authentication protocols, to ensure optimal email deliverability and placement.

July 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user shares anecdotal evidence suggesting that GlockApps results can sometimes be inconsistent with actual inbox placement, advising users to also monitor their sender reputation and engagement metrics directly through their ESP.

December 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests that seed tests provide quantitative data that is otherwise difficult to obtain, which makes people feel better and contributes to their popularity.

September 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailToolTester lists MailMonitor, 250ok (now Validity), and Return Path (also now Validity) as alternatives to GlockApps for deliverability testing, noting that Validity offers a more comprehensive suite of tools.

May 2024 - EmailToolTester
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus explains that factors such as sender reputation, authentication, list hygiene, and content quality significantly impact email deliverability, and recommends focusing on these core areas alongside deliverability testing.

November 2023 - Litmus

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Experts highlight the limitations of relying solely on seed list testing tools like GlockApps for assessing email deliverability. These tools provide a snapshot in time and may not reflect real user engagement or the complexities of filtering decisions. Therefore, it's important to use data and metrics to understand deliverability results.

Key opinions

  • Snapshot View: GlockApps provides a snapshot of deliverability but doesn't capture long-term trends.
  • Limited Scope: Seed list testing may not accurately reflect real user engagement or individual filtering decisions.
  • Data Interpretation: Understanding and interpreting data/metrics is crucial for comprehensive deliverability assessment.

Key considerations

  • Beyond Seed Lists: Don't rely solely on seed list testing; incorporate data from various sources.
  • Real User Data: Prioritize analyzing engagement metrics from real users to understand deliverability.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Implement continuous deliverability monitoring to track trends and identify issues promptly.
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource responds to a question and highlights how it is important to use data and metrics to understand and interpret your deliverability and testing results.

October 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that seed list testing tools like GlockApps have limitations, as they only provide a snapshot of deliverability at a specific moment and may not accurately reflect real user engagement or filtering decisions based on individual subscriber behavior.

November 2022 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Documentation sources emphasize a proactive and comprehensive approach to email deliverability that goes beyond basic placement reports. They highlight the importance of monitoring sender reputation, engaging with feedback loops, authenticating email (including SPF setup), and utilizing tools like Validity Everest, Google Postmaster Tools, and Microsoft SNDS for insights into deliverability performance and potential issues.

Key findings

  • Comprehensive Monitoring: Tools and platforms like Validity Everest, Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS are useful for monitoring deliverability.
  • Sender Reputation: Maintaining a good sender reputation is crucial for email deliverability.
  • Authentication: Proper email authentication, especially SPF, is important for a good email reputation and should be configured correctly.
  • Feedback Loops: Engaging with feedback loops helps identify and address deliverability problems.

Key considerations

  • Proactive Measures: Focus on proactive measures like maintaining a good sender reputation and authenticating email.
  • Utilize Available Tools: Utilize tools such as Validity Everest, Google Postmaster Tools, and Microsoft SNDS to monitor deliverability and identify issues.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Continuously monitor deliverability metrics and adapt strategies as needed.
Technical article

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools highlights its utility in monitoring sender reputation, spam rates, and feedback loop data for Gmail users, providing insights into potential deliverability issues directly from Google's perspective.

June 2022 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from Validity highlights their Everest platform as a comprehensive solution for monitoring and improving email deliverability, offering insights into sender reputation, spam trap hits, and inbox placement.

December 2023 - Validity
Technical article

Documentation from RFC answers question about SPF by stating how important it is for setting up the correct email authentication to improve email reputation.

April 2021 - RFC
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost emphasizes the importance of monitoring sender reputation, engaging with feedback loops, and authenticating email to maintain high deliverability rates and avoid spam filters, suggesting proactive measures rather than relying solely on testing tools.

June 2021 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft SNDS emphasizes the importance of understanding your IP reputation and provide useful insights into your email marketing performance

June 2022 - Microsoft