What are best practices for improving email deliverability when using Mautic and SMTP.com?

Summary

Improving email deliverability with Mautic and SMTP.com involves a multi-faceted approach encompassing authentication, sender reputation management, list hygiene, content optimization, and technical configuration. Proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup is essential for authenticating emails. Building a positive sender reputation requires warming up your IP address, consistent sending practices, and encouraging recipient engagement while avoiding spam traps. Maintaining a clean email list by removing inactive addresses and managing bounces is crucial. Creating high-quality, engaging content without spam trigger words and segmenting lists for targeted messaging further enhances deliverability. Monitoring engagement metrics, tracking deliverability issues, and utilizing feedback loops are vital for ongoing optimization. Additionally, using a dedicated domain for link tracking and understanding factors considered by email providers like Google are important for success.

Key findings

  • Authentication is Key: Proper setup of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is crucial for authenticating your emails and preventing them from being marked as spam.
  • Sender Reputation Matters: Building and maintaining a positive sender reputation is essential for ensuring your emails reach the inbox.
  • List Hygiene is Critical: Maintaining a clean and engaged email list improves deliverability by reducing bounce rates and spam complaints.
  • Content Quality Impacts Deliverability: Creating high-quality, engaging content that avoids spam trigger words is important for sender reputation and deliverability.
  • Monitoring and Feedback are Essential: Actively monitoring email campaigns for deliverability issues and using feedback loops helps identify and address problems quickly.

Key considerations

  • Dedicated IP for High Volume: Consider using a dedicated IP address, especially for high-volume sending, to control your sender reputation.
  • Gradual IP Warmup: Warm up your IP address gradually when starting with SMTP.com to establish a positive sender reputation.
  • Use Dedicated Domain for Tracking: Utilize your own domain for link tracking, especially when using free platforms like Mautic.
  • Google's Filtering Factors: Be aware of Google's filtering factors (links, domain reputation, content, audience) when crafting your emails.
  • Postmaster Tools for Troubleshooting: Explore postmaster pages for Microsoft and Yahoo for assistance with deliverability issues specific to those providers.
  • Segment your lists for targeted messaging: Segmenting your email list based on engagement and demographics to send more targeted and relevant content to improve open rates, click-through rates, and overall deliverability.
  • A/B Testing your emails: A/B testing different elements of your emails, such as subject lines, content, and calls-to-action, to optimize for better engagement and deliverability.

What email marketers say
9Marketer opinions

To improve email deliverability with Mautic and SMTP.com, it's crucial to focus on authentication, sender reputation, and content quality. Proper DKIM, SPF, and DMARC setup is essential for authentication. Building a positive sender reputation involves warming up your IP address, maintaining list hygiene, monitoring engagement metrics, and actively managing bounce rates and spam complaints. Creating high-quality, engaging content while avoiding spam trigger words and segmenting email lists further enhances deliverability. A/B testing email elements also helps optimize engagement and overall deliverability.

Key opinions

  • Authentication: Properly setting up DKIM, SPF, and DMARC is critical for authenticating your emails.
  • Sender Reputation: Building and maintaining a positive sender reputation is crucial for ensuring emails reach the inbox.
  • Content Quality: Creating high-quality, engaging content and avoiding spam trigger words improves deliverability.
  • List Hygiene: Maintaining a clean and engaged email list significantly enhances deliverability rates.
  • IP Warmup: Gradually warming up your IP address is vital when starting with a new SMTP service.

Key considerations

  • Dedicated IP: Consider using a dedicated IP address, especially for high-volume sending, to build a strong sender reputation.
  • Engagement Metrics: Actively monitor engagement metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and spam complaints to identify and address deliverability issues promptly.
  • Segmentation: Segment your email list based on engagement and demographics to send targeted content and improve overall performance.
  • A/B Testing: Regularly A/B test different elements of your emails to optimize for better engagement and deliverability.
  • Spam Triggers: Avoid using spam trigger words in subject lines and email content to prevent your emails from being flagged as spam.
Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps Blog shares the importance of warming up your IP address gradually when starting with SMTP.com. This involves slowly increasing sending volume over time to establish a positive sender reputation.

April 2021 - GlockApps Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid Blog shares creating high-quality, engaging email content that avoids spam trigger words and provides value to recipients. Poor content can negatively impact sender reputation and deliverability.

June 2023 - Email on Acid Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit emphasizes ensuring proper setup of DKIM, SPF, and DMARC records for your sending domain in Mautic. This is crucial for authenticating emails and preventing them from being marked as spam.

June 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Customer.io Blog recommends avoiding spam trigger words in your email subject lines and body content. Using such words can increase the likelihood of your emails being flagged as spam.

November 2024 - Customer.io Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from HubSpot Blog shares segmenting your email list based on engagement and demographics to send more targeted and relevant content. This can improve open rates, click-through rates, and overall deliverability.

February 2025 - HubSpot Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendPulse Blog explains that using a dedicated IP address can improve email deliverability for Mautic users by establishing a positive sender reputation. This is especially effective for high-volume senders.

December 2022 - SendPulse Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus Blog recommends actively monitoring and managing your sender reputation by tracking bounce rates, spam complaints, and engagement metrics. Addressing issues promptly can prevent deliverability problems.

January 2023 - Litmus Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from ActiveCampaign Blog recommends A/B testing different elements of your emails, such as subject lines, content, and calls-to-action, to optimize for better engagement and deliverability.

June 2024 - ActiveCampaign Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet Blog emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clean and engaged email list. Regularly removing inactive subscribers and addressing hard bounces can improve deliverability rates.

September 2022 - Mailjet Blog

What the experts say
8Expert opinions

Improving email deliverability with Mautic and SMTP.com involves focusing on Google's filtering factors, authentication, sender reputation, and list hygiene. Google considers links, domain reputation, content, and audience. Testing without links/images helps isolate issues. For Microsoft/Yahoo deliverability issues, consult their postmaster pages. Use a dedicated domain for link tracking. Ensure proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication. Maintain list hygiene by removing invalid addresses. Build a good sender reputation through consistent sending and engagement. Monitor for bounces, complaints, and blocklistings, addressing issues promptly.

Key opinions

  • Google Filters: Google's filters consider links, domain reputation, content, and audience when determining deliverability.
  • Authentication: Properly configured SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial for email authentication and authorization.
  • Sender Reputation: A positive sender reputation, built through consistent sending and engagement, is critical for deliverability.
  • List Hygiene: Maintaining a clean and engaged email list improves deliverability by reducing bounce rates.
  • Dedicated Domains: Using a dedicated domain for link tracking enhances control and improves deliverability, especially with free platforms.

Key considerations

  • Testing Methodology: Employ testing methods, such as sending emails without links or images, to diagnose deliverability problems.
  • Postmaster Tools: Utilize postmaster pages provided by Microsoft and Yahoo for troubleshooting deliverability issues specific to those providers.
  • Monitoring: Actively monitor email campaigns for bounces, spam complaints, and blocklistings to address deliverability issues promptly.
  • Engagement: Focus on recipient engagement to build a strong sender reputation, avoiding spam traps and encouraging positive interactions.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise recommends actively monitoring your email campaigns for deliverability issues, such as bounces, spam complaints, and blocklistings. Addressing these issues promptly helps maintain a healthy sending reputation.

December 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares a testing method to check deliverability issues suggesting to send emails with no links and images to see where Google delivers it.

October 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks advises using a dedicated domain for link tracking, especially when using free platforms like Mautic.

November 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that Google's filters consider many factors, including links, domain reputation, content, and audience, when determining email deliverability.

June 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains ensuring proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is configured to tell mailbox providers that SMTP.com is authorized to send email on your behalf.

October 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise shares building a good sender reputation by sending consistently, avoiding spam traps, and ensuring recipients engage with your emails. A positive sender reputation is critical for deliverability.

June 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource emphasizes the importance of list hygiene, including removing invalid or inactive email addresses from your Mautic lists to reduce bounce rates and improve deliverability.

October 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests exploring postmaster pages for Microsoft and Yahoo for assistance with deliverability issues, particularly if emails are going to the bulk folder.

April 2022 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Improving email deliverability with Mautic and SMTP.com heavily relies on proper email authentication and feedback mechanisms. Configuring SPF records authorizes Mautic to send emails on behalf of your domain, while setting up a reverse DNS (rDNS) record verifies the association between your IP address and domain. DKIM configuration digitally signs outbound emails, proving their authenticity. Implementing DMARC records instructs email providers on how to handle authentication failures, protecting against spoofing. Finally, establishing feedback loops with email providers allows you to receive notifications about spam complaints, enabling prompt issue resolution.

Key findings

  • SPF Configuration: Configuring SPF records authorizes Mautic to send emails on behalf of your domain, boosting deliverability.
  • rDNS Setup: Properly configured reverse DNS (rDNS) records verify the association between your IP address and domain.
  • DKIM Implementation: Setting up DKIM digitally signs outbound emails, confirming their authenticity and preventing tampering.
  • DMARC Records: Implementing DMARC records instructs email providers on how to handle emails that fail authentication, protecting against spoofing.
  • Feedback Loops: Setting up feedback loops with email providers allows you to receive spam complaint notifications and address related issues promptly.

Key considerations

  • DNS Settings: Ensure accurate and up-to-date DNS settings for SPF, rDNS, and DKIM records.
  • Authentication Priority: Prioritize proper email authentication as a fundamental step for improving deliverability.
  • Regular Monitoring: Regularly monitor feedback loops and address spam complaints to maintain a healthy sending reputation.
  • DMARC Policy: Carefully plan your DMARC policy to balance security and deliverability concerns.
Technical article

Documentation from Mautic.org explains how to configure SPF records to authorize Mautic to send emails on behalf of your domain, which is essential for deliverability. They detail the correct syntax and steps for adding the record to your DNS settings.

March 2021 - Mautic.org
Technical article

Documentation from RFC explains implementing DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) records to instruct email providers on how to handle emails that fail authentication checks. This helps protect your domain from spoofing and phishing attacks.

October 2024 - RFC
Technical article

Documentation from SMTP.com recommends ensuring that a reverse DNS (rDNS) record is properly configured for your sending IP address. This helps verify that the IP address is associated with your domain, improving deliverability.

November 2024 - SMTP.com
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost recommends setting up feedback loops with major email providers to receive notifications about spam complaints. This allows you to identify and address issues that are causing recipients to mark your emails as spam.

April 2023 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from Mautic Community Forums answers configuring DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) in Mautic to digitally sign outbound emails. Proper DKIM setup helps prove that the email was sent by an authorized sender and hasn't been tampered with.

December 2023 - Mautic Community Forums