How to fix Gmail spam issues during IP warm-up?
Summary
What email marketers say9Marketer opinions
Email marketer from GMass explains that common causes for going to spam include poor IP reputation, low engagement, spammy content, and incorrect authentication. Resolve the issues by improving IP and domain reputation, engaging subscribers, cleaning email lists, fixing email authentication. <https://www.gmass.co/blog/why-do-my-emails-go-to-spam/>
Email marketer from WebmasterWorld forum user TechBloke88 shares that checking if the IP and domain aren't blacklisted, making sure you're not on any blocklists is key. Using tools like MultiRBL to check is critical. Clean your list from hard bounces and invalid emails.
Email marketer from Reddit user u/MailGuru shares that if you are consistently ending up in spam after IP warm-up, double-check your list hygiene (remove invalid emails), monitor your IP reputation, and review content for spam triggers. Also, ensure proper email authentication.
Email marketer from ZeroBounce explains that inbox placement issues are often caused by low sender reputation, high spam complaint rates, and missing authentication protocols. Fix it by validating emails and using double opt-in to ensure high quality data. Regularly clean email lists of unengaged contacts and keep the complaint rate low. <https://www.zerobounce.net/email-deliverability/why-emails-go-to-spam/>
Email marketer from Reddit user u/EmailPro2020 suggests that ensure your emails have a clear 'From' address, a relevant subject line, and easy unsubscribe options. Also, avoid using spam trigger words and test your emails with various spam checkers before sending.
Email marketer from Mailjet shares that factors affecting Gmail spam filters include sender reputation, email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), engagement metrics (opens, clicks), and spam complaints. Monitor these metrics and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Email marketer from Warrior Forum MailKing22 shares that cleaning your email list is very important. Remove any bounces or unengaged subscribers. Only send to users who actively want to receive your emails. <https://www.warriorforum.com/threads/emails-going-to-spam-even-with-dkim-spf-dmarc-correctly-configured.2730361/>
Email marketer from Reddit user u/EmailNoob says that spam filters get triggered by factors like using excessive exclamation points, using all caps, and embedding too many links in the body of the email. <https://www.reddit.com/r/emailmarketing/comments/oh5wjg/gmail_always_sending_my_emails_to_spam/>
Email marketer from SendGrid explains that for new IPs, warm-up is crucial to establish trust with ISPs like Gmail. Start by sending to your most engaged users and gradually increase volume based on positive engagement signals, while carefully monitoring bounces and spam complaints.
What the experts say6Expert opinions
Expert from Spamresource shares that to avoid spam issues when warming IPs, you should start with a small number of highly engaged subscribers and gradually increase volume. Authenticate email using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and monitor your sender reputation using Google Postmaster Tools. Also, segment your lists and send relevant content to each segment. <https://www.spamresource.com/2016/01/warming-ip-address-right-way.html>
Expert from Email Geeks explains that properly implemented DMARC doesn't guarantee inbox delivery and Gmail inbox placement depends on both getting the technical bits right AND driving high engagement. Low engagement (or high complaints) on perfectly configured mail will impede inbox delivery.
Expert from Email Geeks shares that Unspam is claiming the user’s SPF is failing.
Expert from Word to the Wise shares that the new authentication requirements for Google and Yahoo require DKIM and DMARC to be used and be passing, this needs to be set up before you warm up an IP. <https://wordtothewise.com/2023/06/gmail-yahoo-authentication-enforcement/>
Expert from Spamresource explains that to address Gmail blocking emails, verify your sending IPs aren't blacklisted, ensure proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and that your sending practices align with Gmail's guidelines. Reduce spam complaints and send engaging content. <https://www.spamresource.com/2012/02/gmail-blocking-your-mail-what-to-do.html>
Expert from Email Geeks shares to start with making sure you're following the Yahoo/Google requirements properly and then when going through IP warming make sure you're limiting volume per the IP warming process and also focusing on most engaged or newest subscribers. Refers to <https://www.spamresource.com/2024/01/yahoo-mailgmail-2024-easy-sender.html>
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from SparkPost Documentation shares that IP warm-up involves gradually increasing sending volume to establish a positive sender reputation. Start with small volumes to engaged users and slowly increase volume over time, monitoring deliverability metrics.
Documentation from Postmark says that sender reputation is one of the most important factors in inbox placement. If your sender reputation is bad the mail will go to spam. Use tools like Google Postmaster Tools to get a sense of your reputation. <https://postmarkapp.com/blog/how-to-keep-your-emails-out-of-the-spam-folder>
Documentation from Microsoft explains that to avoid email going to junk folders, it is important to ensure the sending domain is authenticated, to maintain list hygiene by removing bounces, and to ensure the content is high-quality, valuable and free of spam triggers. <https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/office-365-security/anti-spam-policies-best-practices?view=o365-worldwide>
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help explains that to improve email deliverability to Gmail, ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are properly set up. Also, avoid sending unsolicited email, maintain a good sending reputation, and monitor spam complaints.