Why are Yahoo emails not being received in Zendesk/Gsuite?

Summary

Yahoo emails may not be received in Zendesk/Gsuite due to a multi-faceted issue encompassing recipient-side configuration problems, sender authentication inadequacies, and reputation concerns. The issue is usually not Yahoo's fault, rather originating in spam filter settings, DNS, and Zendesk configurations. DMARC policies and SPF/DKIM records play a pivotal role. IP and domain reputation greatly impact deliverability, as do sender authentication standards. Problems related to volume being sent and new IPs can affect deliverability. Examining audit logs is important.

Key findings

  • Spam Filter Problems: Overzealous spam filter settings in GSuite or Zendesk may incorrectly classify Yahoo emails as spam.
  • Authentication Issues: Lack of conforming to sender authentication standards prevents deliverability.
  • DNS Problems: If the mail gets to Gsuite, the issue might be DNS related.
  • Blacklisting: The IP address or domain might be on a DNS blacklist.
  • Reputation: The domain or IP reputation might be negatively impacting email delivery.
  • Forwarding: Broken or misconfigured forwarding rules could be the problem.
  • Sudden Volume Changes: Sudden stops and starts with sending volume without reestablishing a reputation negatively impacts deliverability.
  • New IPs: New IPs tend to have deliverability issues.
  • Improper Configuration: Incorrectly set up Google Workspace and Zendesk can affect deliverability.
  • SPF Records: The domain used by Zendesk needs to include the Zendesk servers in its SPF records.
  • 550 Errors: 550 errors can be generated due to policy violations.

Key considerations

  • Review Spam Settings: Review and adjust spam filter settings to allow Yahoo Emails.
  • Implement Authentication: Implement sender authentication standards.
  • Check DNS: Check DNS records to ensure they have been correctly set up.
  • Monitor IP Reputation: Monitor the IP reputation and domain reputation and act if blacklisted.
  • Verify Configurations: Verify that Google Workspace and Zendesk are properly set up.
  • Re-establish Reputation: Gradually increase sending volume, especially after a pause or with a new IP.
  • Test the Deliverability: Send test emails and have Zendesk diagnose.
  • Correct DMARC: Verify SPF and DKIM records and ensuring they align with Yahoo's requirements
  • Correct Forwarding Rules: Check the forwarding settings and ensuring they are correctly set up

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

Yahoo emails might not be received in Zendesk/Gsuite due to a combination of factors. These include issues with forwarding settings, DMARC policies and SPF/DKIM records, spam filter configurations, IP address/domain reputation, and general email authentication problems. Forwarding misconfigurations within GSuite, strict DMARC policies on Yahoo's domain, and incorrect SPF/DKIM settings on the recipient's side (GSuite/Zendesk) can lead to delivery failures. Overzealous spam filters might also incorrectly classify Yahoo emails as spam. Monitoring IP/domain reputation and ensuring proper email authentication practices are essential for successful delivery.

Key opinions

  • Forwarding Issues: Misconfigured forwarding settings in GSuite can prevent emails from reaching Zendesk.
  • DMARC/SPF/DKIM: Strict DMARC policies combined with incorrect SPF/DKIM settings can cause delivery failures.
  • Spam Filters: Overzealous spam filters might incorrectly classify Yahoo emails as spam.
  • IP/Domain Reputation: Poor IP and domain reputation can lead to emails being blocked.
  • Authentication: Improper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) can result in emails being filtered.
  • Zendesk SPF: Domain used by Zendesk needs to include the Zendesk servers in its SPF records

Key considerations

  • Check Forwarding: Verify forwarding settings in GSuite to ensure emails are correctly routed to Zendesk.
  • Verify Authentication: Ensure SPF and DKIM records are correctly configured and align with Yahoo's requirements and that the domain used by Zendesk includes the Zendesk servers in its SPF records.
  • Adjust Spam Filters: Review and adjust spam filter settings in GSuite and Zendesk to allow emails from Yahoo.
  • Monitor Reputation: Monitor IP and domain reputation and take steps to address any issues.
  • Examine Audit Logs: Use Google Workspace audit logs to trace email delivery paths and identify potential problems.
  • Check Blacklists: Check for your IP and Domain blacklists and resolve any issues found.
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeekForum explains that overzealous spam filter settings in GSuite or Zendesk might be incorrectly classifying Yahoo emails as spam. They suggest reviewing and adjusting the spam filter settings to allow emails from Yahoo.

August 2024 - EmailGeekForum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass explains that inbox placement is a critical part of email deliverability. This includes factors such as list health, sending volume and engagement rates.

December 2023 - Gmass
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora answers that if emails are being forwarded from one GSuite account to another before reaching Zendesk, the forwarding rules might be misconfigured or broken. They suggest checking the forwarding settings and ensuring they are correctly set up.

September 2024 - Quora
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares to use Google Workspace to look at the audit log and see exactly how the messages were treated to prove unmodified onward passage to Zendesk. Also, to check if the "Do not forward spam" option is checked in the message routing rule, and if so, uncheck it and see if that changes anything.

September 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that your domain and IP reputation are factors to keep in mind for email deliverability. This includes the IP address' history to ensure you have a solid reputation.

April 2021 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks asks if the messages are being forwarded from their own email server to Zendesk and if they can receive support email from other domains which have a restrictive DMARC policy.

March 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from SuperUser shares that the domain used by Zendesk needs to include the Zendesk servers in its SPF records. Failure to include this will cause the email to be marked as spam or fail DMARC checks.

September 2021 - SuperUser
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange responds that a strict DMARC policy on the sender's (Yahoo) domain, combined with incorrect SPF or DKIM settings on the recipient's side (GSuite/Zendesk), can cause email delivery failures. They recommend verifying SPF and DKIM records and ensuring they align with Yahoo's requirements.

December 2024 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that Yahoo might be temporarily blocking the recipient's IP address or domain due to suspected spam activity. They suggest checking the IP reputation of the mail server and ensuring it's not blacklisted.

January 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailOnAcid explains that email authentication is crucial for email delivery. If the email is not properly authenticated with SPF, DKIM and DMARC then it could be blocked or delivered to the junk folder.

May 2022 - EmailOnAcid

What the experts say
5Expert opinions

Yahoo emails might not be received in Zendesk/Gsuite due to a combination of issues on the recipient's side, and potential sending reputation problems. It's likely not a Yahoo problem but rather an issue with spam filters, DNS, or Zendesk configuration. Ensuring proper sender authentication is critical. Also, a sudden change in sending volume without re-establishing reputation or sending from a new IP without slowly building volume can lead to deliverability issues.

Key opinions

  • Spam Filter Issue: The issue is likely related to the recipient's spam filter, not Yahoo's.
  • DNS/Zendesk Issues: If mail is delivered to Gsuite, the problem is likely either a DNS issue or a Zendesk issue.
  • Sending Volume: Sudden changes in sending volume without re-establishing reputation can cause problems.
  • New IP Reputation: New IPs often face deliverability challenges until they build a positive reputation.
  • Sender Authentication: Not conforming to sender authentication standards can prevent message delivery.

Key considerations

  • Test and Diagnose: Create a Yahoo account, send test emails, and pass results to Zendesk to diagnose.
  • Review Configuration: Check spam filter settings, DNS configuration, and Zendesk setup.
  • Establish Reputation: Gradually increase sending volume, especially after a pause or with a new IP.
  • Sender Authentication Standards: Conform to sender authentication standards.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks responds that the issue is unlikely to be a Yahoo problem and more likely to be their own spam filter problem. She asks what they are using to handle incoming email and if they have a Yahoo account to send test messages from.

July 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that the reason messages are not being delivered could be that the sender is not conforming to sender authentication standards.

April 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares to create a Yahoo account and send test emails. Once repeatable, pass it to Zendesk to diagnose. Later suggesting that if mail to anything @citizenshipper.com is delivered to Gsuite it's most likely either a DNS issue or a zendesk issue.

August 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource shares that if you’re sending volume and you suddenly stop sending to an ISP, then resume sending without re-establishing reputation, then you’re going to run into trouble.

April 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that new IPs often have deliverability issues until they have built up a positive sending reputation. They suggest starting slow and gradually increasing volume.

December 2024 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
7Technical articles

Yahoo emails may not be received in Zendesk/GSuite due to a variety of configuration and reputation issues. Incorrect email routing rules, improper Zendesk setup, DNS blacklisting, and accidental blocking of the sender can all prevent delivery. Troubleshooting bounced emails and maintaining a good sender reputation are also crucial. A 550 error code indicates a policy violation on the receiving server, potentially related to blacklisting or authentication problems.

Key findings

  • Routing Rules: Incorrect email routing rules in Google Workspace can block or misdirect emails.
  • Zendesk Setup: Improper email setup in Zendesk can prevent emails from certain domains from being delivered.
  • DNS Blacklist: The recipient's domain or mail server IP may be listed on a DNS blacklist.
  • Blocked Senders: The recipient may have accidentally blocked the sender's email address or domain.
  • Sender Reputation: Sender reputation impacts email delivery.
  • 550 Error: A 550 error code indicates a policy violation on the receiving server.

Key considerations

  • Check Routing: Verify email routing rules in Google Workspace to ensure Yahoo emails are not being blocked.
  • Verify Zendesk Setup: Verify Zendesk email configurations, including support addresses and forwarding settings.
  • Check Blacklist Status: Use MXToolbox to check if the IP or domain is blacklisted and take steps to get delisted.
  • Verify Blocked List: Check the recipient's blocked senders list and remove the sender if necessary.
  • Troubleshoot Bounces: Troubleshoot bounced emails, ensuring the email address is correct and the sender isn't blocked.
  • Improve Reputation: Take steps to improve sender reputation.
Technical article

Documentation from MXToolbox explains that the recipient's domain or mail server IP address might be listed on a DNS blacklist (RBL). Use MXToolbox to check if the IP or domain is blacklisted and take steps to get delisted.

January 2023 - MXToolbox
Technical article

Documentation from RFC explains that the 550 error code is generated when the receiving server detects a policy violation and refuses to accept the email. This includes things such as blacklisted or authentication issues.

October 2022 - RFC
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that sender reputation can impact whether or not emails are delivered. This includes steps that can be taken to improve sender reputation to ensure the messages are delivered.

June 2022 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from Yahoo Mail Help explains that if the recipient has accidentally added the sender's email address or domain to their blocked senders list, emails will not be delivered. They should check their blocked senders list and remove the sender if necessary.

May 2022 - Yahoo Mail Help
Technical article

Documentation from Zendesk Help Center shares that improper email setup within Zendesk can cause emails from certain domains, including Yahoo, to be blocked or undelivered. Users should verify their Zendesk email configurations, including support addresses and forwarding settings.

October 2021 - Zendesk Help Center
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help explains that incorrect email routing rules in Google Workspace can prevent emails from being delivered to the intended recipients in Gsuite. Admins should check their routing rules to ensure Yahoo emails are not being blocked or misdirected.

May 2022 - Google Workspace Admin Help
Technical article

Documentation from Google explains steps that can be taken to troubleshoot bounced emails. This includes steps such as ensuring the email address is correct, that the sender is not blocked and the email did not violate any Google policies.

June 2023 - Google Support