Is Return Path certification worth it for improving email deliverability at Gmail?

Email marketer from SendGrid explains that while Return Path certification can offer benefits, a better approach to ensuring deliverability lies in using proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), engaging with subscribers and segmenting mailing lists. Maintaining good list hygiene is key.

Email marketer from Litmus emphasizes the importance of sender reputation and engagement metrics in determining email deliverability. While not directly addressing Return Path certification, it highlights the factors Gmail considers when filtering emails.

Email marketer from Reddit user states that Return Path certification can provide a marginal benefit, but it's not a substitute for good sending practices. They emphasize the importance of focusing on list hygiene, engagement, and relevant content.

Email marketer from GlockApps Blog answers that Return Path certification (Validity Certification) isn't a magic bullet for email deliverability. While it can provide some benefits, such as improved sender reputation, it's essential to have a solid email marketing strategy and follow best practices to achieve consistent inbox placement.

Email marketer from Email on Acid Blog shares that Return Path certification can improve deliverability but emphasizes that it's most effective when combined with strong sending practices. It can offer a boost but doesn't replace the need for sender reputation management and engagement monitoring.

Email marketer from MailerLite Blog explains that while Return Path certification (now Validity Certification) aims to improve email deliverability, it's not a guaranteed solution. It helps by providing feedback and requiring senders to adhere to best practices, but success depends on the sender's commitment to maintaining good email hygiene.

Email marketer from Email Geeks confirms that certification doesn't guarantee inbox placement for poor senders. The value comes from the cleanup process and the data provided by various providers (Microsoft, Yahoo, etc.) which helps in identifying and resolving issues before they impact delivery at Gmail.

Expert from Email Geeks shares that the benefit of Return Path certification comes from the cleanup process and improvements made to the sending program, rather than Gmail directly favoring certified senders.

Expert from Spam Resource explains that sender reputation, built through consistent and ethical sending practices, is more important than any certification program for deliverability at Gmail. He suggests focusing on genuine engagement with subscribers and avoiding spam traps.

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that if the client is willing to spend money, they could pay Validity to get certified, but they will discover it's not simple and requires cleaning up their process.

Expert from Word to the Wise responds that Return Path certification (now Validity Certification) provides value by enforcing better email marketing practices and cleaning up sending habits. It's not a golden ticket, but a useful tool for senders committed to improving their overall program and deliverability.

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools explains that adhering to Google's bulk sending guidelines is crucial for deliverability. While it doesn't mention Return Path certification directly, it outlines the specific requirements for authentication, spam rates, and engagement that influence Gmail's filtering decisions.

Documentation from RFC Editor explains the technical specifications for email authentication standards such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, which are essential for improving deliverability and demonstrating sender legitimacy to mailbox providers like Gmail. Implementing these standards can improve your standing.

Documentation from Microsoft answers that Microsoft provides information for senders, but it doesn't specifically mention Return Path certification. They emphasize the importance of following best practices for sending emails to Microsoft email accounts to ensure deliverability.

Documentation from Validity's website explains that their certification program offers benefits like improved deliverability and brand reputation by ensuring that certified senders adhere to industry best practices and comply with specific requirements.