Why do emails sent via Gmail sometimes bypass blocks that SalesLoft or Salesforce encounter?
Summary
What email marketers say12Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Mailjet shares that sender reputation is key. Gmail trusts emails coming directly from its servers due to its stringent policies and authentication methods. Third-party platforms like SalesLoft and Salesforce can have varying sender reputations based on their users' email practices, which affects deliverability.
Email marketer from Neil Patel's Blog explains that Gmail often bypasses blocks because of its high sender reputation, which is built on the trust of billions of users and strong authentication protocols. SalesLoft and Salesforce, while legitimate platforms, rely on user configurations, and misconfigurations can negatively impact deliverability.
Email marketer from SendGrid shares that Warming up an IP address is critical for maintaining good deliverability, especially when using platforms like SalesLoft or Salesforce. Gmail already has a warmed IP, so it bypasses the issues of a new IP being blocked.
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests checking for wrapped links or tracking pixels with SalesLoft or Salesforce domains that are not present when sending directly from Gmail, as these differences could impact delivery.
Email marketer from Gmass explains that when using platforms like SalesLoft, emails often include tracking pixels and personalized content, which can trigger spam filters. Gmail, when used directly, may send simpler emails with fewer elements that trigger these filters, leading to better deliverability.
Marketer from Email Geeks notes that the messages contain indicators of being automated and tracked. If the emails are unsolicited, they may be blocked, whereas lower volume, organic emails are not.
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that Google and Microsoft are becoming very effective at detecting automated systems and shadow-throttling those accounts.
Email marketer from Reddit user u/EmailGuru responds that SalesLoft and Salesforce often use shared IP addresses, which means that the sending reputation is influenced by all users on that IP. If some users send spam or engage in poor email practices, it can negatively impact deliverability for everyone on the shared IP.
Email marketer from Hubspot explains that Using a dedicated IP address for sending emails through SalesLoft or Salesforce can improve deliverability by isolating your sender reputation from other users on shared IPs.
Marketer from Email Geeks confirms that SalesLoft includes a tracking pixel and a `sales_loft_wrapper` class in the HTML, which could explain why emails sent directly from Gmail have better delivery rates.
Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum explains that Gmail's domain is highly trusted, meaning that emails sent directly from Gmail are less likely to be flagged by spam filters. Other services may not have the same level of trust and are therefore, more likely to be blocked or filtered.
Email marketer from Email on Acid responds that the consistency of email rendering can affect deliverability. Emails from SalesLoft/Salesforce might have HTML code variations that trigger spam filters or cause display issues, indirectly affecting whether the emails reach the inbox or are blocked.
What the experts say2Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise responds that Gmail uses IP addresses with established positive reputations, while SalesLoft/Salesforce send from a wide range of IPs, some of which might have less favorable histories leading to blocks.
Expert from Spam Resource explains that Gmail has a well-established sender reputation due to its stringent spam filtering and security measures. This built-in trust often allows emails to bypass blocks that might affect other platforms where sender reputation varies more widely among users.
What the documentation says5Technical articles
Documentation from Salesforce Trailhead explains that deliverability issues in Salesforce can arise from improper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. These authentication methods are crucial for verifying the sender's identity and preventing spoofing. When not set up correctly, emails may be flagged as suspicious.
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Guide explains that Gmail's filtering system uses sophisticated algorithms and machine learning to identify and block spam and malicious content. This system learns from user feedback (marking emails as spam or not spam) and adapts over time, improving the accuracy of its filtering.
Documentation from Microsoft explains that Examining anti-spam message headers can provide insights into why an email was marked as spam. These headers include details about authentication checks, spam filter results, and sender reputation, helping diagnose why certain emails are being blocked.
Documentation from RFC 5322 explains that Emails sent directly from Gmail can have different header information than those sent through third-party platforms. Specifically, differences in the 'From', 'Sender', and 'Return-Path' headers can influence how email servers perceive the sender's authenticity.
Documentation from DMARC.org explains that proper DMARC implementation ensures that only authorized senders can use your domain. If SalesLoft or Salesforce aren't correctly configured to align with your DMARC policy, emails sent through those platforms might fail authentication checks, causing them to be blocked or sent to spam.