Why are my emails bouncing with REASON 552 5.7.0 in Gmail?

Summary

Emails bouncing with REASON 552 5.7.0 in Gmail are generally blocked due to content that triggers Gmail's security filters or violates their policies. The issue could stem from suspicious links (especially shortened ones or those redirecting to potentially malicious sites), email addresses embedded in tracking URLs, spam trigger words or phrases, file types, or a poor sender reputation. Resolutions involve carefully reviewing email content, inspecting link destinations, implementing strong email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), warming up IP addresses, testing content against spam filters, managing bounce and complaint rates, and ensuring adherence to Google's policies. If routing emails through Exchange Online, Microsoft's outbound spam filters may also contribute to the bounce.

Key findings

  • Content Triggers: Gmail's spam filters are highly sensitive to specific words, phrases, and content types, potentially leading to bounces.
  • Link Issues: Suspicious or shortened links, especially those with redirects, and email addresses embedded in tracking URLs can be flagged.
  • Sender Reputation Impacts: A poor sender reputation, indicated by factors such as low engagement, high complaint rates, and lack of authentication, greatly increases the likelihood of emails being blocked.
  • Authentication Crucial: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential for verifying sender identity and improving deliverability; its absence is a common cause for emails getting marked as spam.
  • External Filters Play a Role: Microsoft's outbound spam filters may flag the email when routing emails through Exchange Online.

Key considerations

  • Content Review is Paramount: Thoroughly review email content, including subject lines, message bodies, links, and attachments, to identify and eliminate potentially problematic elements.
  • URL Inspection is Key: Use URL checkers and expanders to carefully inspect link destinations, ensuring they are safe and legitimate.
  • Spam Filter Testing: Utilize email testing tools to pre-emptively assess email content against spam filters and identify triggers before sending.
  • Authentication Implementation is a Must: Implement and regularly verify that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured for all sending domains.
  • Sender Reputation Management Requires Vigilance: Proactively manage sender reputation by monitoring bounce and complaint rates, warming up new IP addresses, and engaging with subscribers to build trust.
  • Policy Adherence is Non-Negotiable: Familiarize yourself with and adhere to the email sending policies of all relevant providers (e.g., Google, Microsoft).
  • A/B Testing to Optimize Deliverability: Use A/B testing of different email elements to identify and implement practices that optimize email deliverability.

What email marketers say
14Marketer opinions

Emails bouncing with the REASON 552 5.7.0 error in Gmail are typically blocked due to content being flagged as a potential security risk or triggering spam filters. Common causes include suspicious links (especially those shortened or with redirects), email addresses embedded in tracking URLs, specific words/phrases, certain file types, and a poor sender reputation. Solutions involve reviewing email content for problematic elements, implementing strong email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), warming up IP addresses, testing email content against spam filters, and maintaining consistent sending volumes.

Key opinions

  • Content triggers: Gmail’s spam filters are sensitive to specific words, phrases, and content types, leading to bounces.
  • Links: Suspicious or shortened links, especially those with redirects, and email addresses embedded in tracking URLs are often flagged.
  • Sender Reputation: A poor sender reputation, indicated by factors like low engagement, high complaint rates, and lack of authentication, contributes to blocking.
  • Authentication: Lack of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) can cause emails to be marked as spam.

Key considerations

  • Content Review: Carefully review email content, including subject lines, message bodies, links, and attachments, for anything that could be flagged as suspicious or malicious.
  • URL Inspection: Use URL checkers and expanders to inspect the destinations of links in emails.
  • Email Testing: Test email content against spam filters before sending to identify and remove problematic elements.
  • Authentication Implementation: Implement and verify proper email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to confirm sender identity and improve deliverability.
  • Sender Reputation Management: Monitor and maintain a positive sender reputation by managing bounce and complaint rates, warming up IPs, and engaging with subscribers.
  • A/B Testing: Use A/B testing to optimize different email elements and identify what works best with Gmail's filters.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that bounces were caused by email addresses in pixel/tracking links, and using subscriber IDs instead resolved the issue.

September 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Campaign Monitor advises implementing strong email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to verify the sender's identity and improve email deliverability. They provide guides on how to set up these protocols correctly.

December 2024 - Campaign Monitor
Marketer view

Email marketer from HubSpot describes the process of warming up new IP addresses before sending large email volumes to establish a positive reputation with ISPs like Gmail. Gradually increasing sending volume over time helps avoid being flagged as a spammer.

December 2022 - HubSpot
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks recommends changing the "?e=" to something else and keeping the email address at the end of the URL to avoid the bounce.

May 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet recommends A/B testing different email elements (subject lines, content, links) to identify what performs best with Gmail's filters. This iterative approach helps discover content patterns that minimize bounce rates.

January 2025 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from emailgeek.com answers by explaining the error is triggered when Gmail's security filter identifies a potential threat within the message content, such as suspicious links or attachments. Common solutions involve removing or modifying the offending content and ensuring sender reputation is in good standing.

March 2023 - emailgeek.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid recommends using URL checkers and expanders to inspect the destination of links contained in emails. Sometimes malicious redirects or compromised websites can cause email content filters to flag the message as a security risk.

December 2021 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow responds that the 552 5.7.0 error frequently occurs when Gmail's spam filters are triggered by certain words or phrases. Experimenting with subject lines and message bodies can help identify content patterns that cause bounces.

November 2022 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains Gmail bounces emails with email addresses at the very end of tracking URLs. They are investigating if Gmail might close the gap on emails found anywhere in the URLs.

October 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus advises using email testing tools to check email content against common spam filters, including those used by Gmail. Identifying and removing content triggering these filters can prevent bounces with the 552 5.7.0 error.

March 2021 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares various users speculate that aggressive link shortening, inclusion of certain file types as attachments, and sender reputation are major factors in emails getting blocked by Gmail. Some recommend warming up new sending IPs and diversifying email content.

August 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid explains the importance of a positive sender reputation, recommending steps like authenticating your sending domain with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, maintaining consistent sending volumes, and actively managing bounce and complaint rates.

November 2023 - SendGrid
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests using redirect tools like wheregoes.com to trace URL hops and checking Google's scenarios for the specific bounce error.

April 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from MailerLite suggests a bounce with error 552 5.7.0 indicates content is being flagged as a security risk. They advise carefully reviewing email content, links, and attachments for anything that could be misconstrued as malicious. Furthermore, they suggest testing email content to identify specific triggers.

August 2023 - MailerLite

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Emails bouncing with REASON 552 5.7.0 in Gmail typically indicate content or link issues that trigger spam filters or potential security concerns. The problem can stem from malicious links, compromised hosting sites, or issues with email authentication. Identifying commonalities across bounced emails, scrutinizing content for spam triggers, and verifying email authentication are crucial steps for resolution.

Key opinions

  • Content Scrutiny: Email content is heavily scrutinized by Gmail's spam filters for suspicious elements.
  • Link Security: Links, particularly those leading to compromised domains or phishing sites, are significant contributors to bounces.
  • Authentication Importance: Email authentication issues (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) can cause emails to be flagged as spam.
  • Common Link Analysis: Identifying commonalities in links across bounced emails can pinpoint the source of the problem.

Key considerations

  • Examine Content and Links: Thoroughly examine email content and links for anything that might trigger spam filters or lead to malicious websites.
  • Check Email Headers: Inspect email headers for more detailed information about the cause of the bounce.
  • Verify Authentication: Ensure proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is in place to verify the sender's identity.
  • Identify Vulnerabilities: Identify and address any vulnerabilities with hosting sites or third-party providers.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests examining the content and links of the messages causing bounces, especially for domains hosting phishing or malware sites.

November 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Belgray, explains the error often arises from spam filters, which scrutinize email content for specific triggers. She recommends avoiding excessive use of spam trigger words, being mindful of link destinations, and ensuring your content aligns with audience expectations.

February 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks advises identifying common links across bounced emails, looking at CDNs, hosting sites, or third-party providers with potential security vulnerabilities.

November 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource, John Levine, shares that 552 errors can be caused by problems with email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) or with the content of the email itself triggering spam filters. He suggests checking email headers for more specific information and using tools to assess sender reputation.

November 2021 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Emails bouncing with the REASON 552 5.7.0 error in Gmail are blocked due to content presenting a potential security issue, as determined by Gmail's spam filters or policy restrictions. While the specific error isn't always detailed in standard documentation, it generally signifies a problem with email content, sender policies, or authentication, leading to the email being flagged as potentially malicious. This can be related to content filtering or broader policy enforcements. If routing emails through Exchange Online, Microsoft's filters may also flag the content.

Key findings

  • Content Security: The primary cause is identified as a potential security issue within the email's content.
  • Policy Restrictions: The bounce can stem from content filtering or policy restrictions imposed by the receiving mail server.
  • Authentication and Policy: Ensuring adherence to email best practices, content guidelines, and robust authentication is crucial for deliverability.
  • External Filtering: If using Exchange Online, Microsoft's spam filters may contribute to the bounce.

Key considerations

  • Content Review: Review email content meticulously for potential security risks, spam triggers, and policy violations.
  • Policy Compliance: Ensure compliance with the sending policies of email providers like Google and Microsoft.
  • Authentication Setup: Implement and verify the correct configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for domain authentication.
  • Domain Configuration: Verify that your domains are correctly configured within your email sending platform.
Technical article

Documentation from Google Support explains that the error message '552 5.7.0 This message was blocked because its content presents a potential security issue' indicates that Gmail blocked the message due to suspected malicious content. They advise reviewing Google's policies to ensure compliance.

July 2022 - Google Support
Technical article

Documentation from Postmark explains while Postmark does not have information specific to the Gmail 552 5.7.0 error code, Postmark says this error code often signals a problem with email content as perceived by the recipient server's security policies. Ensuring emails adhere to best practices for content and authentication can improve deliverability.

October 2022 - Postmark
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Support explains that, while not specific to Gmail, if you're routing emails through Exchange online then Microsoft’s outbound spam filters are flagging the email. Ensure that you do not have any compromised accounts, that your email adheres to their policies, and that your domains are correctly configured.

February 2024 - Microsoft Support
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor shares RFC 5321 discusses SMTP error codes. While it doesn't directly address the 552 5.7.0 error, it provides context on the general nature of permanent negative completion codes, often related to content filtering or policy restrictions enacted by the receiving mail server.

November 2023 - RFC Editor