Why do emails sent via Gmail sometimes bypass blocks that SalesLoft or Salesforce encounter?

Summary

Emails sent directly through Gmail often bypass blocks encountered by SalesLoft or Salesforce for a multitude of reasons. Gmail benefits from a high and well-established sender reputation built on stringent spam filtering, security measures, strong authentication protocols, and the trust of billions of users. Its filtering system utilizes sophisticated algorithms and machine learning to adapt to spam trends and user feedback. Additionally, Gmail uses IP addresses with established positive reputations. In contrast, SalesLoft and Salesforce rely on user configurations, which, if misconfigured regarding SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, can negatively impact deliverability. They often use shared IP addresses, making their sender reputation influenced by all users on that IP. Furthermore, emails sent via SalesLoft or Salesforce may include tracking pixels, personalized content, and HTML code variations that can trigger spam filters. Finally, Gmail's IP addresses are already 'warmed up', avoiding issues with new IPs being blocked.

Key findings

  • Sender Reputation: Gmail possesses a superior sender reputation due to rigorous spam filtering, security protocols, and user trust.
  • Filtering System: Gmail's filtering system utilizes sophisticated algorithms and machine learning that adapts over time.
  • IP Reputation: Gmail employs IP addresses with established positive reputations.
  • User Configuration: Salesforce and SalesLoft rely on user configurations that are frequently misconfigured for authentication protocols.
  • Shared IPs: Salesforce and SalesLoft typically use shared IP addresses, impacted by the behavior of all users.
  • Content Triggers: Emails through Salesforce and SalesLoft often use tracking, personalization and complex HTML that triggers spam filters.
  • IP Warming: Gmail's IP addresses are pre-warmed, which avoids deliverability issues.

Key considerations

  • Configuration Audit: Regularly audit SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations to ensure proper alignment with email sending practices.
  • Dedicated IPs: Consider using dedicated IP addresses to isolate and manage sender reputation.
  • Content Optimization: Optimize email content to minimize spam trigger keywords, reduce tracking and simplify HTML code.
  • Warming Strategy: Implement a gradual IP warming strategy when introducing new IP addresses or domains.
  • Header Inspection: Analyze email headers to diagnose deliverability issues, and ensure compliance with standards.
  • Spam Monitoring: Monitor spam complaints, feedback loops, and bounce rates to identify areas needing improvement.
  • Engagement: Maintain high levels of list hygiene to ensure you are sending emails to an engaged and active audience.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

Emails sent directly through Gmail often bypass blocks encountered by SalesLoft or Salesforce due to several factors. Gmail benefits from a strong, established sender reputation, sophisticated spam filtering systems, and consistent authentication protocols. In contrast, SalesLoft and Salesforce rely on user configurations which, if misconfigured, can negatively affect deliverability. These platforms also often use shared IP addresses, where the email practices of all users influence deliverability. Furthermore, emails sent via SalesLoft or Salesforce may include tracking pixels, personalized content, and variations in HTML that can trigger spam filters, unlike simpler emails sent directly from Gmail. Finally, Gmail's IP addresses are already 'warmed up', avoiding deliverability issues associated with new IP addresses.

Key opinions

  • Sender Reputation: Gmail benefits from a high sender reputation due to stringent policies and authentication methods, built on trust from billions of users.
  • User Configuration: SalesLoft and Salesforce rely on user configurations, and misconfigurations can negatively impact deliverability.
  • Shared IP Addresses: SalesLoft and Salesforce often use shared IP addresses, where the sending reputation is influenced by all users, affecting deliverability.
  • Tracking and Personalization: Emails from SalesLoft/Salesforce may include tracking pixels, personalized content, and variations in HTML, triggering spam filters.
  • IP Warming: Gmail's IP addresses are already 'warmed up', avoiding issues with new IPs being blocked, unlike new setups on SalesLoft/Salesforce.
  • Email Authentication: Salesforce deliverability issues 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.

Key considerations

  • Email Authentication: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are properly configured for SalesLoft/Salesforce to improve email authentication and prevent spoofing.
  • Dedicated IP: Consider using a dedicated IP address for sending emails through SalesLoft or Salesforce to isolate sender reputation.
  • Content Optimization: Review and optimize email content sent via SalesLoft/Salesforce to minimize triggers for spam filters (e.g., reduce tracking pixels, simplify HTML).
  • IP Warming: If using a new IP address for SalesLoft/Salesforce, implement a proper IP warming strategy to build a positive sending reputation gradually.
  • Monitor Sender Reputation: Regularly monitor sender reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools to identify and address deliverability issues promptly.
  • Review Sending Practices: Review sending practices to ensure the volume of emails is consistent with the recipient engagement. Adjust as necessary.
Marketer view

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.

May 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view

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.

February 2025 - Neil Patel's Blog
Marketer view

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.

January 2025 - SendGrid
Marketer view

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.

May 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

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.

December 2021 - Gmass
Marketer view

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.

October 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that Google and Microsoft are becoming very effective at detecting automated systems and shadow-throttling those accounts.

October 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

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.

April 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

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.

August 2024 - Hubspot
Marketer view

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.

February 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

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.

August 2024 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

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.

May 2023 - Email on Acid

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Emails sent via Gmail often bypass blocks that SalesLoft or Salesforce encounter primarily due to Gmail's strong sender reputation and use of established, positive IP addresses. Gmail's rigorous spam filtering and security measures contribute to this reputation. SalesLoft and Salesforce, on the other hand, may utilize a wider range of IP addresses, some with less favorable histories, which can result in emails being blocked more frequently.

Key opinions

  • Established Reputation: Gmail benefits from a well-established sender reputation due to stringent spam filtering and security measures.
  • IP Address: Gmail uses IP addresses with established positive reputations, enhancing deliverability.
  • Variable Reputation: SalesLoft/Salesforce send from a wider range of IPs, some of which might have less favorable histories leading to blocks.

Key considerations

  • Monitor IP Reputation: Regularly monitor the IP reputation of addresses used by SalesLoft/Salesforce to identify and mitigate potential deliverability issues.
  • Dedicated IP: Consider using dedicated IP addresses for SalesLoft/Salesforce to manage and control sender reputation more effectively.
  • Implement Best Practices: Ensure best practices for email sending are followed through SalesLoft/Salesforce to avoid negatively impacting IP and sender reputation.
Expert view

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.

June 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

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.

November 2024 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Gmail's emails sometimes bypass blocks because of its sophisticated filtering system that uses algorithms and machine learning. This system adapts based on user feedback, improving accuracy over time. In contrast, deliverability issues in Salesforce can arise from improper configurations of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. Differences in email header information between Gmail and third-party platforms like SalesLoft and Salesforce can influence how email servers perceive the sender's authenticity. Proper DMARC implementation is crucial, and misconfigurations can cause emails sent through these platforms to fail authentication checks. Examining anti-spam message headers can provide further insights into why an email was marked as spam.

Key findings

  • Sophisticated Filtering: Gmail's filtering system uses algorithms and machine learning to identify and block spam, adapting over time with user feedback.
  • Authentication Issues: Salesforce deliverability issues can arise from improper configurations of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
  • Header Differences: Differences in email header information can influence how email servers perceive sender authenticity.
  • DMARC Implementation: Proper DMARC implementation ensures only authorized senders use the domain; misconfigurations can cause blocks.
  • Header Analysis: Examining anti-spam message headers can provide insights into reasons for emails being marked as spam.

Key considerations

  • Correct Configuration: Ensure correct configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records in Salesforce to improve deliverability.
  • Header Consistency: Maintain consistency in email header information to avoid triggering spam filters.
  • DMARC Alignment: Align SalesLoft/Salesforce configurations with your DMARC policy to ensure proper authentication.
  • Header Analysis: Analyze anti-spam message headers to diagnose and address deliverability issues.
Technical article

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.

July 2024 - Salesforce Trailhead
Technical article

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.

February 2023 - Google Workspace Admin Guide
Technical article

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.

September 2024 - Microsoft
Technical article

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.

February 2024 - RFC 5322
Technical article

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.

December 2021 - DMARC.org