Is it okay to send transactional emails to role-based email addresses like info@ or order@?
Summary
What email marketers say8Marketer opinions
Email marketer from HubSpot says to proceed with caution with role addresses. While some can be okay for transactional emails, they can also lead to deliverability issues. They suggest cleaning your list and avoiding these addresses to improve deliverability.
Email marketer from Email Vendor Selection explains that sending to role-based addresses can be risky, but it's acceptable for transactional emails. They suggest monitoring deliverability metrics and quickly removing unresponsive addresses to maintain a healthy sender reputation.
Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum shares that they had deliverability issues when sending marketing emails to role-based addresses. They suggest segmenting these addresses and only sending transactional emails. They also recommend implementing a double opt-in process for new subscribers to ensure they want to receive emails.
Email marketer from Neil Patel's website responds that while it can be tempting to email role accounts, it's generally better to avoid it unless you have permission or a legitimate transactional reason. They explain that these addresses are often monitored by multiple people and can lead to spam complaints if not handled carefully.
Email marketer from Reddit explains that they send transactional emails to info@ addresses, especially for order confirmations and shipping updates. However, they never send marketing emails to these addresses and always provide an easy way to unsubscribe.
Email marketer from Sendinblue's blog explains that role-based email addresses aren't tied to a specific individual, potentially leading to deliverability issues. They suggest segmenting your audience to avoid sending marketing emails to these addresses, but they explain that transactional emails are generally acceptable.
Email marketer from ActiveCampaign shares that role-based email addresses aren't tied to a specific individual, potentially leading to deliverability issues. They suggest segmenting your audience to avoid sending marketing emails to these addresses, but they explain that transactional emails are generally acceptable.
Email marketer from SuperOffice explains that emailing role-based addresses can be a double-edged sword. While it can be useful for reaching a wider audience, it can also lead to deliverability problems if not handled carefully. They recommend segmenting your audience and only sending relevant, valuable content.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks shares that transactional emails to role-based addresses are fine and expected, especially order confirmations. They suggest having a separate signup for marketing emails, allowing customers to use a different address. Transactional mail facilitating a transaction is acceptable, but straight marketing is not. SFMC concerns may not be relevant in this context.
Expert from Word to the Wise responds that it can be acceptable to send transactional emails to role accounts, but list hygiene is of utmost importance. They share that you should closely monitor engagement metrics such as complaints and open rates, and suppress addresses that are not actively engaging. They share that role accounts will negatively affect your sending reputation if not managed correctly.
Expert from Spam Resource explains that role accounts can be problematic, especially if they forward to a distribution list. It is important to monitor complaints and bounces from these addresses, and to ensure that recipients actually want the mail they are getting. Transactional mail is more likely to be well-received.
What the documentation says5Technical articles
Documentation from SparkPost shares that sending to role-based email addresses is a common practice, especially for transactional emails. However, they explain that it's important to monitor engagement and list health to avoid deliverability problems. They suggest treating these addresses like any other subscriber and removing them if they are not engaging.
Documentation from Microsoft shares email deliverability best practices. Sending transactional emails to role based accounts is implicitly acceptable as long as abuse levels are low and recipients want to receive them.
Documentation from Return Path details the potential risks of sending to role-based addresses, including increased spam complaints and deliverability issues. They recommend careful list management and monitoring engagement to avoid damaging your sender reputation. They suggest segmenting lists, and being cautious of sending marketing material.
Documentation from Google Workspace shares that while they don't explicitly prohibit sending to role-based addresses, they recommend following email best practices to ensure deliverability. This includes authenticating your emails, segmenting your audience, and providing an easy way to unsubscribe.
Documentation from Mailchimp shares that role-based addresses (like sales@, info@, or support@) are email addresses that are not tied to a specific person. They explain that because multiple people can access these inboxes, Mailchimp considers sending to role-based addresses as a higher risk and recommends caution. They share that high bounce rates and abuse complaints can impact your sending reputation.