How will migrating ESP affect Google and Yahoo enforcement of new email sender requirements?

Summary

Migrating to a new ESP under Google and Yahoo's updated sender requirements necessitates careful attention to several key areas, including sender reputation, IP warming, email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and list hygiene. A successful migration involves configuring DNS records, warming up the new IP address gradually, cleaning your email list, and continuously monitoring deliverability metrics, often using tools like Google Postmaster Tools. Experts recommend a strategic approach to IP warming and suggest using a dedicated subdomain to isolate sending reputation. Adhering to authentication standards and implementing a robust DMARC policy are critical for protecting your domain's reputation and ensuring compliance. There are mixed opinions on running both ESPs simultaneously, with some advocating for a clean cut while others question that recommendation. Failing to address these areas can lead to deliverability issues and non-compliance with the new enforcement rules.

Key findings

  • Authentication Protocols: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial for authentication; incorrect setup leads to deliverability issues.
  • Sender Reputation: Migrating impacts sender reputation; warming up new IP is essential.
  • List Hygiene: Clean email lists before migrating; engaged lists help build sender reputation.
  • Monitoring Deliverability: Monitor deliverability rates using tools like Google Postmaster Tools to detect problems.
  • DNS Configuration: Correct DNS configuration is key, with custom return paths recommended by some ESPs.
  • IP Warming: IP Warming is essential for a successful email migration.

Key considerations

  • DNS Setup: Ensure proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly configured before the migration.
  • IP Warmup Strategy: Implement a gradual IP warming strategy to build a positive sending reputation.
  • List Cleaning: Clean your email list to remove unengaged recipients.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Monitor deliverability and sender reputation after the migration.
  • Subdomain Use: Consider using a dedicated subdomain to protect the reputation of the main domain.
  • Simultaneous ESPs: Evaluate the strategy of using both ESPs concurrently vs. a clean cut.
  • Enforcement Compliance: Remain up-to-date and compliant with Google and Yahoo’s latest sender requirements.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

Migrating to a new Email Service Provider (ESP) can significantly affect how your emails are handled under the new Google and Yahoo sender requirements. Key areas of impact include sender reputation, IP warming, email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and list hygiene. Preparing for the migration involves carefully configuring DNS records, warming up your new IP address, cleaning your email list, monitoring deliverability metrics, and considering a dedicated subdomain. Failing to address these areas can lead to deliverability issues, including emails being flagged as spam or blocked altogether.

Key opinions

  • Sender Reputation: Migrating ESPs impacts sender reputation; new ESPs require rebuilding trust with mailbox providers.
  • IP Warming: Warming up the new IP address by gradually increasing sending volume is crucial to avoid spam filters.
  • Authentication: Correctly configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records at the new ESP is essential for authentication and deliverability.
  • List Hygiene: Cleaning the email list before migrating helps establish a good sender reputation with engaged recipients.
  • Monitoring: Monitoring deliverability rates, especially using tools like Google Postmaster Tools, allows for early detection and resolution of deliverability problems.
  • DNS Configuration: Proper setup of custom DNS records, including a custom return path, as suggested by the new ESP can improve deliverability.
  • Best Practices: Following best practices already in place will help when migrating ESPs and adhering to Google and Yahoo requirements.

Key considerations

  • DNS Records: Ensure all necessary DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are correctly configured and propagated at the new ESP before fully transitioning.
  • IP Warmup Strategy: Implement a gradual IP warming strategy to build a positive sending reputation with ISPs.
  • List Cleaning: Clean your email list to remove unengaged or invalid addresses before migrating to improve deliverability.
  • Deliverability Monitoring: Continuously monitor your deliverability metrics and sender reputation using available tools to identify and address any issues.
  • Subdomain Usage: Consider using a dedicated subdomain for sending emails to isolate your sending reputation from your main domain.
  • Timing: Carefully consider the timing of your ESP migration to minimize potential disruptions and ensure compliance with enforcement deadlines.
  • Authentication Protocols: Ensure email authentication protocols are in place to deliver your emails following the new enforcement requirements.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit emphasizes ensuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly configured and propagated to the new ESP before fully switching over. Incorrect or missing records can lead to deliverability issues due to the new enforcement rules.

May 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from HubSpot Blog shares that moving to a new ESP can have some impact on deliverability rates, especially if a new IP address has not been warmed up. It is important to take steps to ensure a good sender reputation.

October 2023 - HubSpot Blog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares Keap's DNS documentation, noting recent improvements for Google and Yahoo changes, including a custom return path. He suggests that adding their custom DNS records should resolve potential issues.

July 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks (AWeber) states Google changes are best practices every mailer should generally already be doing. There’s no reason to wait other than to reduce variables that might cause issues if you do something wrong.

September 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow recommends setting up a dedicated subdomain for sending emails with your new ESP. This isolates your sending reputation from your main domain, minimizing the risk of damaging your core domain's reputation if issues arise during the migration.

December 2023 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid Blog shares that warming up your IP address with a new ESP is critical. This involves gradually increasing sending volume to build a positive reputation with ISPs and avoid being flagged as spam, which directly relates to Google and Yahoo's enforcement.

January 2025 - SendGrid Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from GMass Blog explains that monitoring your deliverability rates after migrating to a new ESP is essential. Use tools like Google Postmaster Tools to track your domain and IP reputation and identify any deliverability problems early to address them before they negatively impact your sender score.

October 2024 - GMass Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailOnAcid Blog advises cleaning your email list before migrating. Sending to a clean, engaged list from a new ESP helps establish a good sender reputation, which is important for meeting Google and Yahoo's new requirements.

June 2021 - EmailOnAcid Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Validity Blog explains the importance of maintaining a good sender reputation, especially after migrating to a new ESP. A poor sender reputation could affect the delivery of emails to the inbox in accordance to Google and Yahoo.

September 2024 - Validity Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus Blog answers questions about email authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These protocols are very important to follow to deliver your email and the lack of them will affect the delivery of the email following the new enforcement requirements.

November 2021 - Litmus Blog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks advises to make a clean cut and just try not to do both ESPs at the same time.

May 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from MailerLite Blog explains that migrating to a new ESP can impact your sender reputation, especially if your sending practices change. They advise warming up your new IP address gradually to rebuild trust with mailbox providers.

December 2024 - MailerLite Blog

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Migrating ESPs while adhering to Google and Yahoo's new sender requirements necessitates careful planning, particularly around authentication (DKIM) and sender reputation. Experts emphasize the importance of IP warming to prevent triggering spam filters and highlight the need for consistent monitoring of deliverability metrics. Whether to run both ESPs simultaneously during the switch requires careful consideration, with the suggestion that DKIM settings remain consistent.

Key opinions

  • DKIM Consistency: Enforcement is based on DKIM, and you can use the same DKIM domain across two different ESPs.
  • IP Warming: Proper IP warming is critical to avoid spam filters and ensure deliverability with the new ESP.
  • Sender Reputation: Maintaining sender reputation is crucial during and after the migration to comply with Google and Yahoo's requirements.
  • Monitoring: Deliverability metrics should be monitored during migration.

Key considerations

  • Simultaneous ESP Use: Consider the implications and benefits of using both old and new ESPs simultaneously during the transition.
  • IP Warmup Strategy: Develop and execute a well-defined IP warming strategy for the new ESP.
  • Reputation Management: Proactively manage and protect your sender reputation throughout the migration process.
  • Compliance: Ensure all practices comply with Google and Yahoo's evolving sender requirements.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains enforcement is based on the DKIM d= and you can use the same d= across two different ESPs.

May 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that migrating to a new ESP requires careful attention to maintaining your sender reputation. They advise monitoring deliverability metrics and adjusting your sending practices as needed to ensure compliance with Google and Yahoo's requirements and avoid deliverability issues.

April 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks questions the recommendation to avoid using both ESPs simultaneously, asking for the reasoning behind that suggestion.

January 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from SpamResource emphasizes the importance of properly warming up your IP address after migrating to a new ESP. They explain that a sudden increase in sending volume from a new IP can trigger spam filters and negatively impact deliverability, especially with Google and Yahoo's stricter enforcement policies.

October 2021 - SpamResource

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

Migrating ESPs under Google and Yahoo's new sender requirements necessitates strict adherence to email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Failing to properly configure these protocols at the new ESP can lead to deliverability issues, including emails being blocked or marked as spam. Consistent authentication and DMARC policy implementation are vital for protecting your domain's reputation. Monitoring your reputation via Google Postmaster Tools is also highly recommended.

Key findings

  • Authentication is Key: Consistently authenticating emails with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is essential during and after ESP migration.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Google recommends monitoring your sender reputation via Google Postmaster Tools.
  • Policy Enforcement: Failure to set up authentication protocols properly can result in emails being blocked or marked as spam due to policy enforcements.
  • DMARC Importance: A properly implemented DMARC policy is vital for protecting your domain's reputation.

Key considerations

  • Protocol Setup: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly configured at the new ESP before migrating.
  • DMARC Alignment: Align SPF and DKIM records with your DMARC policy to prevent authentication failures and email rejections.
  • Ongoing Monitoring: Continuously monitor your sender reputation and deliverability metrics to identify and address any issues.
  • Policy Adherence: Adhere to authentication standards to follow Yahoo's Mail Sender Best Practices.
Technical article

Documentation from Yahoo Mail Sender Best Practices explains that adhering to authentication standards (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial. Migrating ESPs without properly setting up these protocols can result in your emails being blocked or marked as spam due to policy enforcements.

October 2021 - Yahoo Mail Sender Best Practices
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org highlights that a properly implemented DMARC policy is vital for protecting your domain's reputation when migrating ESPs. Failure to align SPF and DKIM records with your DMARC policy can lead to emails failing authentication checks and being rejected.

July 2023 - DMARC.org
Technical article

Documentation from Google Sender Guidelines emphasizes consistently authenticating your email using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC during and after the migration to avoid deliverability issues related to the new sender requirements. It recommends monitoring your reputation via Google Postmaster Tools.

July 2022 - Google Sender Guidelines