Why do emails from a shared domain from Klaviyo go to spam for Google Workspace but not personal Gmail accounts?

Summary

Emails from shared Klaviyo domains often end up in Google Workspace spam folders but not in personal Gmail inboxes due to a confluence of factors. Experts, marketers, and documentation converge on several key reasons. Google Workspace utilizes different and generally stricter filtering rules, content analysis, and authentication requirements (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) compared to personal Gmail. Domain and IP reputation are heavily weighted, with Workspace being more sensitive to poor reputations and potential spam signals. Corporate security policies, active testing of new email regulations, and a greater emphasis on subscriber engagement (opens, clicks) further contribute to Workspace's heightened spam detection. Ultimately, the characteristics of the sender, the email content, and the recipient's past interactions all play a role, with Workspace demanding a higher standard of email best practices.

Key findings

  • Filtering Differences: Gmail and Google Workspace employ distinct filtering rules and content analysis methodologies.
  • Stricter Workspace Policies: Google Workspace enforces stricter spam filtering policies compared to personal Gmail accounts.
  • Authentication Sensitivity: Google Workspace is more sensitive to proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and quickly flags improperly configured emails.
  • Reputation Matters: Poor domain and IP reputation negatively impact deliverability, particularly in Google Workspace environments.
  • Workspace Security Policies: Google Workspace accounts adhere to corporate security policies that often prioritize aggressive anti-spam measures.
  • Subscriber Engagement: Google Workspace emphasizes subscriber engagement (opens, clicks) more heavily than personal Gmail, thus impacting spam placement.
  • New Regulation Testing: Google Workspace is likely actively testing new email regulations that impact deliverability for Workspace accounts more than Gmail.

Key considerations

  • Email Authentication: Implement and maintain proper email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
  • Monitor Reputation: Actively monitor and manage domain and IP reputation to avoid being flagged as spam.
  • Content Optimization: Optimize email content to minimize spam triggers, recognizing that Workspace filters may be more sensitive to certain content or keywords.
  • Engagement Enhancement: Implement strategies to boost subscriber engagement (e.g., personalized content, relevant offers, permission reminders) to improve sender reputation with Google Workspace.
  • IP Warmup: Implement a proper IP warming strategy for new or low-volume IPs to prevent being flagged as a suspicious sender.
  • Dedicated Infrastructure: Consider using dedicated sending domains and IPs rather than shared resources to isolate reputation issues.
  • Policy Awareness: Stay informed about the latest email deliverability best practices and Google Workspace's evolving policies.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

Emails from a shared Klaviyo domain may land in spam for Google Workspace but not personal Gmail accounts due to several factors. Workspace accounts often employ stricter spam filtering rules, different content filtering mechanisms, and greater sensitivity to proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Domain and IP reputation play a significant role, as Workspace accounts are more likely to flag emails from domains or IPs with poor reputations. Furthermore, Google Workspace's corporate security policies, active testing of new email regulations, and emphasis on subscriber engagement contribute to stricter spam detection compared to personal Gmail.

Key opinions

  • Filtering Differences: Gmail and Google Workspace employ different filtering rules and content analysis, leading to varied spam detection outcomes.
  • Authentication Sensitivity: Google Workspace is more sensitive to proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) than personal Gmail.
  • Reputation Impact: Poor domain or IP reputation significantly increases the likelihood of emails being flagged as spam in Google Workspace.
  • Content Triggers: Specific content elements can trigger spam filters differently in Workspace accounts due to varying scanning algorithms.
  • Engagement Matters: Google Workspace considers subscriber engagement (opens, clicks) more heavily than personal Gmail, impacting spam placement.

Key considerations

  • Authentication: Ensure proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is in place for the sending domain.
  • Domain Reputation: Monitor and maintain a positive domain and IP reputation.
  • Content Optimization: Optimize email content to avoid spam triggers, considering that Workspace's filters may be more sensitive.
  • Engagement Strategies: Implement strategies to improve subscriber engagement (e.g., compelling content, list segmentation) to signal positive sender reputation to Google Workspace.
  • Dedicated Sending Domain: Consider switching from shared to dedicated sending domains to isolate and manage domain reputation more effectively.
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks Forum suggests that shared IP reputation matters; if Klaviyo's shared IP has been used to send spam, Google Workspace is likely to be stricter due to business compliance.

January 2025 - EmailGeeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from ActiveCampaign User suggests that Google workspace is actively testing the new email regulations, impacting deliverability for workspace accounts more than gmail accounts.

November 2024 - ActiveCampaign
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares they ran into a client recently switched to them where mail sent from their workspace domain to other gmail domains goes to spam every time.

April 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Sendgrid User suggests that Google Workspace accounts consider subscriber engagement (opens, clicks) more heavily than personal Gmail, so low engagement may push emails to spam.

July 2021 - Sendgrid
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that rather than Workspace being "more strict", they filter content sent to business mailboxes differently than that sent to consumer addresses.

February 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailOnAcid user shares that specific content in the email might trigger spam filters differently in Workspace vs. personal Gmail, such as links or certain keywords.

January 2024 - EmailOnAcid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailchimp user explains that your campaign content might be more spam-filter prone on workspace accounts than personal, due to different scanning algos.

January 2022 - Mailchimp
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that they've had 4 recent clients with Google Workspace spam issues both internally and externally all due not being authenticated properly, and that proper authentication resolved the problem.

June 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit suggests that if the shared domain from Klaviyo has a poor reputation, emails sent to Google Workspace accounts are more likely to be flagged as spam. Personal Gmail accounts may be more lenient.

April 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Vendor Selection user suggests that Google Workspace is more sensitive to proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) than personal Gmail accounts. If the shared domain isn't properly authenticated, Workspace accounts are more likely to treat the emails as spam.

October 2024 - Email Vendor Selection
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange mentions that Google Workspace accounts sometimes use different filtering rules than regular Gmail accounts due to corporate security policies. These policies often prioritize security and anti-spam measures.

March 2025 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that they have started to see some filtering differences based on content between Gmail and Google Workspace, similar to the differences between Hotmail and Office 365.

March 2022 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
5Expert opinions

Emails from shared Klaviyo domains might land in Google Workspace spam folders while bypassing personal Gmail inboxes due to several expert-identified factors. Differences in filtering rules between Gmail and Google Workspace, analogous to the variations between Outlook and Office 365, play a crucial role. Furthermore, the implementation of DMARC, which ensures the delivery you're entitled to, impacts deliverability. The determination of spam hinges on whether the email's characteristics align with expected validation criteria. Google Workspace exhibits a more stringent threshold for triggering spam filters compared to personal Gmail, resulting in disparate outcomes. Ultimately, domain reputation is more heavily weighted in Workspace accounts, influencing email placement.

Key opinions

  • Filtering Rule Variance: Gmail and Google Workspace employ distinct filtering rules, akin to the differences between Outlook and Office 365.
  • DMARC Influence: DMARC implementation directly affects email deliverability, ensuring you receive the delivery you are entitled to.
  • Validation Criteria: Spam detection depends on whether an email meets expected validation standards.
  • Stricter Thresholds: Google Workspace applies more stringent spam filter thresholds than personal Gmail accounts.
  • Domain Reputation Weight: Domain reputation carries more weight in Google Workspace, influencing email placement decisions.

Key considerations

  • Evaluate Filtering Rules: Understand the nuances of filtering rules in both Gmail and Google Workspace to optimize email content and sending practices.
  • Implement DMARC: Properly configure DMARC to improve email authentication and ensure intended delivery.
  • Validation Compliance: Ensure emails align with expected validation criteria to avoid being flagged as spam.
  • Monitor Spam Thresholds: Be aware of the higher spam filter thresholds in Google Workspace and adjust sending practices accordingly.
  • Manage Domain Reputation: Actively manage and monitor domain reputation to improve deliverability, particularly for Workspace accounts.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks states that DMARC gets you the delivery you are entitled to.

December 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Belinsky, suggests that differences in filtering stem from Gmail's use of domain reputation, which is more heavily weighted in Workspace accounts.

October 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that Google Workspace has a higher threshold for spam triggers than personal Gmail, leading to different filtering outcomes for the same sender.

June 2022 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks responds that there are different filtering rules for Gmail and Google Workspaces, just like the difference in Outlook and Office 365.

October 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks says the spam is "this is not what we expect to be valid".

October 2024 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
7Technical articles

Emails from a shared Klaviyo domain may land in spam for Google Workspace but not personal Gmail accounts due to several documented factors. Google's spam filters utilize sender reputation, email content, and user interactions, with Workspace often employing stricter filters. Shared sending domains can negatively impact deliverability, prompting recommendations for dedicated domains. DMARC policies are more strictly enforced in Workspace, potentially rejecting emails failing authentication. Microsoft's Exchange Online Protection also uses more aggressive spam filtering. Incorrect SPF records can cause issues, especially in Workspace. New or low-volume IPs trigger stricter monitoring, necessitating IP warming. Adherence to email best practices, typically more rigorous in Workspace, influences filtering.

Key findings

  • Stricter Workspace Filters: Workspace accounts generally employ stricter spam filters than personal Gmail accounts.
  • Shared Domain Risks: Shared sending domains can negatively impact deliverability, especially if others send spam.
  • DMARC Enforcement: DMARC policies are more strictly enforced in Workspace, potentially rejecting unauthenticated emails.
  • SPF Record Importance: Incorrect or missing SPF records can lead to spam filtering, particularly in Workspace.
  • IP Warming: New or low-volume IPs trigger stricter monitoring, requiring IP warming strategies.
  • Best Practice Adherence: Workspace accounts are often configured to adhere more closely to email best practices.

Key considerations

  • Dedicated Domain: Consider switching to a dedicated sending domain to improve deliverability.
  • DMARC Configuration: Ensure proper DMARC configuration to avoid email rejection or quarantine.
  • SPF Record Accuracy: Verify and correct SPF records to ensure proper email authentication.
  • IP Warming Strategy: Implement an IP warming strategy for new or low-volume IPs.
  • Email Best Practices: Adhere to email best practices to improve deliverability, especially for Workspace accounts.
Technical article

Documentation from M3AAWG provides guidelines on email best practices, explaining that Workspace accounts are typically configured to adhere more closely to these best practices, which can result in stricter spam filtering.

July 2023 - M3AAWG
Technical article

Documentation from RFC explains the technical standards for SPF records, which are a key part of email authentication. Incorrect or missing SPF records can cause emails to be flagged as spam, especially in stricter environments like Google Workspace.

November 2021 - RFC
Technical article

Documentation from Sparkpost shares that a new or low-volume IP can trigger spam filters more aggressively in Workspace due to stricter monitoring of new senders. Warming up the IP can help.

April 2022 - Sparkpost
Technical article

Documentation from Klaviyo Support explains that using a shared sending domain can negatively impact deliverability, especially if other users on the domain are sending spam. Klaviyo recommends using a dedicated sending domain to improve deliverability.

July 2023 - Klaviyo
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that Exchange Online Protection (used by Microsoft 365/Workspace) has different and possibly more aggressive spam filtering than Hotmail/Outlook.com.

April 2022 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org explains that DMARC policies can instruct email providers to reject or quarantine emails that fail authentication checks. Google Workspace may be enforcing DMARC policies more strictly than personal Gmail accounts.

August 2022 - DMARC.org
Technical article

Documentation from Google Support explains that Gmail's spam filters use a variety of signals to determine whether an email is spam, including the sender's reputation, the content of the email, and the user's past interactions with the sender. Workspace accounts may have stricter spam filters than personal Gmail accounts.

June 2023 - Google Support