Why are spammers using @gmail.com addresses for business outreach?
Summary
What email marketers say11Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Mailchimp states that without email authentication, it is easier for spammers to use services such as Gmail to send emails.
Email marketer from Small Business Forum notes that spammers require a high volume of emails, and Gmail provides an easy way to send a large number of emails without immediate cost or strict limitations, as long as they stay within Gmail's sending limits per account.
Email marketer from EmailDeliverability.com shares that Gmail is exceptionally easy to set up compared to configuring a professional email server. This low barrier to entry makes it attractive for spammers seeking quick and easy ways to send emails.
Marketer from Email Geeks shares they get multiple spam emails per day from @gmail.com addresses. They had a conversation with one spammer who claimed Google is blocking them from emailing from their company domain, so they are using @gmail.com accounts to circumvent the system.
Email marketer from Marketing Over Coffee Podcast explains that because so many legitimate users use Gmail, spam coming from Gmail addresses can sometimes blend in with normal traffic and avoid immediate suspicion from recipients, at least initially.
Email marketer from Email Replies Forum shares that spammers use Gmail because it's free, easy to set up, and requires minimal effort to create multiple accounts. They can also easily switch to new accounts if their current ones are flagged.
Email marketer from Quora User explains that using free email accounts like Gmail or Yahoo can help spammers bypass spam filters, as these services are less likely to block emails from their own domains due to the risk of blocking legitimate user emails. They can quickly create new accounts if one gets blocked.
Email marketer from Reddit explains that spammers use Gmail addresses because Gmail has a good reputation, making it less likely for emails to be marked as spam. Additionally, it's easy to create numerous free Gmail accounts.
Email marketer from SpamResource.org shares that spammers will use Gmail to test the waters. If their email templates get through using Gmail, they will then invest more time and effort into spamming through other means.
Email marketer from Digital Marketing Pro explains that using Gmail addresses allows spammers to avoid blacklisting their own domain. If a Gmail account is flagged, it doesn't impact their primary domain's reputation.
Marketer from Email Geeks recounts that companies violating Google's terms in February caused issues for past clients, leading some to return for help setting up legitimate platforms.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks recalls a situation where a company's access to the Google API was removed due to violating the Google AUP, drawing a parallel to the current situation.
Expert from Email Geeks shares that Gmail has significantly improved their blocking of Google Workspace accounts B2B outbound spam, but notes some are now using @gmail.com addresses, questioning the trustworthiness of business emails from such accounts.
Expert from Word to the Wise suggests that spammers use Gmail as it appears to provide deliverability benefits. While sending email from their own domains may lead to complaints and subsequent blocks, Gmail may not block or flag spam emails, despite the expectation that they would.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from RFC explains the Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and how it helps prevent email spoofing. Spammers may use Gmail addresses because they haven't implemented proper email authentication protocols on their own domains, making it easier for them to impersonate Gmail users.
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help states Gmail has sending limits to prevent abuse. Spammers might create multiple Gmail accounts to bypass these limits and send larger volumes of emails, knowing that each account has a daily sending threshold.
Documentation from Microsoft shares that the sheer volume of users on free email providers makes it difficult to properly moderate malicious emails. It's cheaper and easier for a spammer to spam from Gmail than it is to host and use their own servers.
Documentation from Google Support explains that while Gmail has systems to detect and prevent spam, spammers continuously adapt their techniques. They use various methods, including creating numerous accounts, to send unsolicited emails, requiring constant vigilance and updates to Gmail's security measures.