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Why are my Sendgrid emails to Vietnam not reaching Gmail inboxes?

10 Marketer opinions3 Expert opinions5 Technical articles0 Resources

Summary

Emails sent via Sendgrid to Vietnam and not reaching Gmail inboxes are influenced by a multifaceted combination of factors, spanning technical configuration, content relevance, and sender reputation. Gmail employs language-based filters that can misclassify emails in less common languages as spam. Additionally, G Suite business filters may apply internal routing affecting deliverability. Technical considerations include ensuring correct character encoding (UTF-8), implementing email authentication standards (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and managing internationalized email headers (RFC 6532). Sender reputation is crucial, requiring a dedicated IP address, adherence to Google's bulk sender guidelines, active list management, and engagement in feedback loops. Content must be culturally relevant and personalized to the Vietnamese audience. Actively monitoring IP reputation with tools like Google Postmaster Tools, A/B testing email content, and adjusting sending frequency further contribute to improved deliverability.

Key findings

  • Gmail Language Filters: Gmail filters based on email language, potentially flagging less common languages as spam.
  • G Suite Business Filters: G Suite-hosted domains might be subject to business-level filters and internal routing configurations.
  • Technical Configuration: Proper character encoding (UTF-8), email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and internationalized header handling are crucial.
  • Sender Reputation: A dedicated IP address, adherence to Google's guidelines, and feedback loop participation are essential for a positive sender reputation.
  • Content Relevance: Culturally relevant and personalized content is vital for engagement and avoiding spam classification.
  • Email Quarantine: Emails can be marked as 'delivered' but still quarantined by Gmail filters.
  • Aggressive Spam Filtering: Gmail might be aggressively filtering emails based on sender reputation, IP address, or flagged content.

Key considerations

  • Language Optimization: Craft emails in the language understood by recipients in Vietnam, considering possible translation needs.
  • G Suite Settings: Review G Suite routing configurations and filters if using a business domain.
  • Technical Compliance: Adhere to character encoding standards (UTF-8) and email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
  • Reputation Management: Maintain a dedicated IP and actively manage sender reputation by adhering to best practices.
  • Content Adaptation: Thoroughly research and adapt email content for cultural relevance to Vietnamese recipients.
  • List Hygiene: Ensure email lists are clean and reputable to maximize deliverability.
  • Monitor IP Reputation: Regularly monitor IP reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools.
  • A/B Testing: Employ A/B testing to refine email content and subject lines for improved deliverability.
  • Sending Volume Adjustment: Adjust sending frequency to evade spam triggers, especially for new Vietnamese recipients.

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

Emails sent via Sendgrid to Gmail inboxes in Vietnam may face deliverability issues due to a combination of factors. These include aggressive spam filtering by Gmail based on sender reputation, IP address, and content; language encoding problems; lack of a local Vietnamese domain or IP address; issues with list quality; and a failure to personalize content. Setting up feedback loops, monitoring IP reputation, adjusting sending frequency, and A/B testing can help improve deliverability.

Key opinions

  • Gmail Filtering: Gmail's spam filters can be aggressive, potentially blocking emails based on sender reputation, IP address, or content.
  • Language Encoding: Incorrect language encoding can lead to deliverability problems in Vietnam.
  • Local Presence: Using a .vn domain and a Vietnamese IP address may improve deliverability.
  • List Quality: Poor email list quality, including purchased lists, can negatively impact sender reputation.
  • Personalization: Lack of personalized and relevant content can lead to emails being marked as spam.
  • Delivered vs Inbox: Emails may be reported as 'delivered' by Sendgrid but still filtered into spam or quarantine by Gmail.

Key considerations

  • Sender Reputation: Actively manage and monitor your sender reputation to ensure it remains positive.
  • Technical Setup: Verify correct language encoding (UTF-8) and email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
  • List Hygiene: Regularly clean your email list to remove inactive or invalid addresses.
  • Content Relevance: Create personalized and engaging content that resonates with Vietnamese recipients.
  • Monitoring: Implement feedback loops and monitor IP reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools.
  • Sending Volume: Adjust sending frequency and volume to avoid triggering spam filters.
  • Testing: Conduct A/B testing of email content and subject lines to optimize for deliverability.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that sometimes the receiving mail server (Gmail in this case) replies that they have accepted the message, thus it was marked as delivered on your platform, however the message still goes through mail filters and it is entirely possible that it gets quarantined there and never reaches the recipient.

October 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Blog VN advises to regularly monitor your sending IP's reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools to identify and address any deliverability issues promptly.

June 2021 - Email Marketing Blog VN
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora advises that you should ensure that your email list is clean and reputable, avoiding purchased lists which can negatively impact sender reputation and deliverability.

January 2024 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from Digital Marketing Vietnam Group explains that using a domain with a .vn extension or a local Vietnamese IP address can improve deliverability to Vietnamese Gmail users.

December 2021 - Digital Marketing Vietnam Group
Marketer view

Email marketer from Medium explains that A/B testing email content and subject lines can help identify elements that trigger spam filters and improve deliverability to Vietnamese Gmail users.

November 2021 - Medium
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Deliverability Forum shares that setting up feedback loops with ISPs, including Gmail, helps identify and address deliverability issues and improve sender reputation.

October 2024 - Email Deliverability Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks Vietnam Facebook Group suggests adjusting sending frequency and volume to avoid triggering spam filters, especially when sending to Vietnamese Gmail users for the first time.

March 2024 - EmailGeeks Vietnam Facebook Group
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that language encoding issues can cause problems in Vietnam, suggesting checking character sets and encoding standards.

December 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Online Marketing Forum responds that Gmail may be aggressively filtering emails based on the sender's reputation, IP address, or content flagged as suspicious.

June 2023 - Online Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from LinkedIn advises that using personalized content relevant to Vietnamese recipients can improve engagement and reduce the likelihood of emails being marked as spam.

June 2021 - LinkedIn

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

Emails sent via Sendgrid to Vietnam and not reaching Gmail inboxes can be attributed to several expert-identified factors. Gmail filters based on the language of the email, potentially marking emails in unfamiliar languages as spam. If the email domain is hosted by G Suite, it may be subject to business-level filters and internal routing configurations. Finally, the cultural relevance and reception of the email content by the Vietnamese audience play a significant role in deliverability, with a lack of relevance increasing the likelihood of spam classification.

Key opinions

  • Language Filtering: Gmail filters emails based on language, potentially flagging emails in less common languages for the recipient as spam.
  • G Suite Filtering: Custom domains hosted by G Suite are subject to business-level filters and potential internal routing complexities.
  • Cultural Relevance: Email content that lacks cultural relevance or is poorly received by the target audience in Vietnam is more likely to be flagged as spam.

Key considerations

  • Language Targeting: Ensure emails are sent in the language predominantly spoken and understood by the recipients in Vietnam.
  • G Suite Configuration: If using G Suite, check internal routing configurations and ensure they are not inadvertently filtering emails.
  • Content Localization: Thoroughly research and adapt email content to be culturally relevant and well-received by the Vietnamese audience to avoid spam classification.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains Gmail filters based on language. If you’re sending in a language that the users don’t regularly speak / receive mail in then it’s more likely that mail to those users will go to spam.

May 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that if it’s a custom domain hosted by G Suite it’s behind business (not consumer) filters and to check if there is some internal routing involved.

February 2025 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that deliverability issues can arise when email content is not culturally relevant or well-received by the target audience in Vietnam. Understanding local preferences and norms is crucial for avoiding spam filters and improving engagement.

June 2022 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Sendgrid emails to Vietnam not reaching Gmail inboxes can be addressed by following several technical guidelines. Using a dedicated IP address builds sender reputation, which is critical for international deliverability. Adhering to Google's bulk sender guidelines, including proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), list management, and clear unsubscribe options, is essential. Correct character encoding (UTF-8) for Vietnamese content ensures proper display and avoids spam flags. Implementing DMARC enhances email authentication and provides feedback on deliverability. Finally, correct handling of internationalized email headers, according to RFC 6532, is crucial for proper transmission and display.

Key findings

  • Dedicated IP: Using a dedicated IP address is crucial for building a positive sender reputation.
  • Google Guidelines: Following Google's bulk sender guidelines is essential for reaching Gmail inboxes.
  • Character Encoding: Using the correct character encoding (UTF-8) is vital for displaying Vietnamese content correctly.
  • DMARC Implementation: Implementing DMARC improves email authentication and provides feedback on deliverability.
  • Internationalized Headers: Proper handling of internationalized email headers (RFC 6532) ensures correct email transmission.

Key considerations

  • IP Reputation: Invest in building and maintaining a good IP reputation by consistently following best practices.
  • Authentication: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate your emails and prove your legitimacy.
  • Content Encoding: Ensure all Vietnamese language content is encoded correctly using UTF-8.
  • DMARC Policy: Implement and monitor DMARC policies to control email sending practices and identify potential issues.
  • Header Compliance: Ensure all email headers comply with RFC 6532 standards for internationalized email.
Technical article

Documentation from Google answers that following Google's bulk sender guidelines, including proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), list management, and unsubscribe options, is essential for reaching Gmail inboxes.

March 2021 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from SendGrid explains that using a dedicated IP address helps build a positive sender reputation, which is crucial for international deliverability, including Vietnam.

September 2022 - SendGrid
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor answers that using correct character encoding standards (like UTF-8) for Vietnamese language content ensures that emails are displayed correctly and are not flagged as spam.

June 2022 - RFC Editor
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org explains that implementing DMARC helps improve email authentication and provides feedback on deliverability issues, enabling better control over email sending practices.

November 2023 - DMARC.org
Technical article

Documentation from IETF explains that ensuring correct handling of internationalized email headers, as defined in RFC 6532, is crucial for proper email transmission and display in different languages, including Vietnamese.

December 2022 - IETF

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