Why has my email deliverability dropped significantly, despite a low spam rate and bounce rate, and what steps can I take to resolve it?

Email marketer from Reddit shares personal experience: a sudden drop happened after a recent website update that inadvertently changed some DNS settings affecting SPF. Suggests double-checking recent changes to website or email configuration.

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that an 80% delivery rate usually implies a 20% bounce rate, so the numbers don't initially make sense. He suggests deferred messages could be the reason if messages are retried until their maximum time has lapsed, leading to a later influx of bounces. Mentions that being listed at Spamhaus typically indicates issues with bot sign-ups, old data, or using a bought list.

Email marketer from Sendinblue responds that consistently monitoring email metrics and adapting to changes in email algorithms is essential for sustained deliverability. Suggests using a dedicated IP address, warming up new IPs gradually, and personalizing email content to engage recipients.

Email marketer from Neil Patel explains that a sudden drop in deliverability despite good metrics can be due to changes in email marketing practices, IP reputation, or authentication issues. Recommends checking sender reputation, authenticating email (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), reviewing content for spam triggers, and segmenting email lists.

Email marketer from StackOverflow states to use tools like MXToolbox to check your domain and IP against blacklists. Also recommends reviewing feedback loops if available to see if recipients are marking your messages as spam.

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that low spam complaint rates could indicate emails are already going to spam. Suggests looking at unsubscribe rates and reasons for insights. Advises reviewing list collection processes for mistyped domains. Recommends contacting Spamhaus, highlighting they are generally helpful if you demonstrate efforts to solve the underlying issue.

Email marketer from EmailGeeks responds that blacklists can impact your email deliverability and prevent your emails from reaching their intended recipients. They suggest that being on a blacklist can happen for various reasons, including sending spam, having a poor sender reputation, or using outdated or inaccurate email lists. They recommend checking your domain against blacklists, identifying the reasons for being blacklisted, and taking steps to address the underlying issues.

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that deliverability problems can arise from various sources, including poor list hygiene (old or inactive emails), spam traps, and blacklisting. Suggests cleaning email lists, monitoring sender reputation with tools like Google Postmaster Tools, and improving email authentication.

Email marketer from EmailVendorSelection explains that not all subscribers are the same. They joined at different times, in different ways and have different levels of engagement with your emails. Segmentation is all about dividing subscribers into smaller groups based on similar criteria. They suggest different types of segmentation based on behaviour, demographics and purchase history.

Email marketer from Kickbox explains that email list cleaning or validation is the process of removing invalid, inactive, or problematic email addresses from your mailing list. It helps improve email deliverability, sender reputation, and engagement rates. They recommend regularly cleaning your email list to reduce bounce rates, spam complaints, and the risk of being blacklisted.

Expert from Spamresource explains that content plays a critical role in deliverability. Avoid using spam trigger words, excessive capitalization, or misleading subject lines. Ensure your email content is relevant, valuable, and clearly communicates the purpose of the message.

Expert from Spamresource explains that deliverability issues despite low bounce and complaint rates can stem from insufficient explicit permission. Inferred or assumed permission is not enough; subscribers must actively opt-in to receive your emails. Ensure clear consent is obtained before sending any messages.

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that that the single, most effective way to improve email deliverability is with good list hygiene. This means that you email to individuals that actually want to receive your emails, this requires ongoing effort.

Expert from Word to the Wise responds that proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is vital for establishing credibility with mailbox providers. Without it, legitimate emails may be flagged as suspicious and sent to spam. Implement and monitor authentication records to improve deliverability.

Documentation from RFC Editor explains that SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is an email authentication method that helps prevent spammers from sending messages with forged 'from' addresses at your domain. Specifies the technical implementation of SPF records in DNS.

Documentation from Microsoft responds with Email deliverability best practices for Outlook.com

Documentation from DMARC.org responds that DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) builds on SPF and DKIM to provide policy and reporting mechanisms. DMARC allows senders to indicate that their emails are protected by SPF and/or DKIM, and tells receivers what to do if authentication fails, such as reject the message.

Documentation from Google explains that Google Postmaster Tools provides data on spam rate, IP reputation, and domain reputation, which are critical indicators of deliverability issues. Recommends analyzing these metrics to identify and address underlying problems affecting email delivery to Gmail users.

Documentation from DKIM.org explains that DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is an email authentication method that uses a digital signature to verify the sender's identity and ensure the message hasn't been altered during transit. It helps to improve email deliverability and prevent phishing attacks.