Why is Google Postmaster data missing and when will it be restored?

Summary

Missing Google Postmaster Tools data stems from a combination of factors. Google may be experiencing processing delays, service outages or implementing changes to its infrastructure and spam filtering. Data visibility hinges on meeting a minimum email volume and proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Other potential causes include sender reputation impacts, temporary glitches, and technical issues. Google is generally aware of ongoing issues and working towards resolution, with data restoration following service or system adjustments.

Key findings

  • Multiple Causes: Missing data results from a complex interplay of internal and external factors.
  • Google Acknowledgment: Google is aware of and actively working to resolve data issues.
  • External Factors: Gmail deliverability issues directly impact Postmaster Tools.
  • Authentication is Key: Valid email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is paramount for data visibility.
  • Volume Threshold: Maintaining an adequate email volume is necessary for data reporting.

Key considerations

  • Authentication Verification: Continuously verify the correct setup and validity of your domain authentication methods.
  • Volume Management: Evaluate email sending practices to ensure they meet Google's minimum volume requirements.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Proactively monitor sender reputation to prevent potential delivery issues.
  • Expect Delays: Accept that data processing delays can occasionally happen within Google systems.
  • Technical Troubleshooting: If issues persist, investigate potential technical factors connecting to Google servers.
  • Monitor Status: Keep up with latest status for Google updates/outages

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

Data missing from Google Postmaster Tools can stem from various causes. These include delays in Google's data processing, issues with email volume or authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), Google algorithm changes, sender reputation impacts, temporary outages, technical problems with connections, or a simple need to wait 24-48 hours for data to populate. In some instances, data may be restored after a certain period.

Key opinions

  • Processing Delays: Google Postmaster Tools data is not always real-time and can experience processing delays.
  • Volume & Authentication: Low email volume or improper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) can prevent data from appearing.
  • Google Changes: Google algorithm updates or technical changes can disrupt data reporting.
  • Temporary Glitches: Missing data can sometimes be due to temporary glitches that resolve on their own.
  • Restoration: Data can be backfilled after a period of absence.

Key considerations

  • Check Authentication: Ensure your domain authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is properly configured and valid.
  • Email Volume: Maintain a sufficient email volume to trigger data reporting in Postmaster Tools.
  • Sender Reputation: Monitor your sender reputation for any sudden drops, which could impact data visibility.
  • Wait Time: Allow 24-48 hours for data to populate before assuming there is an issue.
  • Technical Issues: Investigate potential technical issues with your connection to Google Postmaster Tools.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms that Data is back and backfilled!

February 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus shares that sometimes Google makes changes to the Postmaster Tools that cause temporary outages, but these are usually fixed quickly.

January 2023 - Litmus
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Email marketer from Quora suggests that you should check your domain authentication to see if it's valid, and resubmit your data to Google Postmaster Tools.

November 2021 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from Google Support explains that delays in data processing within Google Postmaster Tools can occur, leading to missing or delayed data.

December 2021 - Google Support
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that missing data in Google Postmaster Tools could be due to recent changes Google makes to their algorithms or reporting methods. Also, sometimes it can be a temporary glitch that resolves itself.

November 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps shares that Google Postmaster Tools will only show data if you are authenticating properly.

June 2024 - GlockApps
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms receiving updates from GPT in most of the domains they manage. A data gap remains between October 4th/5th (depending on the domain) and October the 13th.

June 2023 - Email Geeks
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Email marketer from Email On Acid shares that Google Postmaster Tools can often have reporting delays and to allow 24-48 hours. Also, they share that it is important to ensure you have a high volume of emails going through the account for data to show.

May 2023 - Email On Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow suggests that one possible reason for Google Postmaster Tools not showing data is related to the volume and authentication of emails. If the volume is low or not properly authenticated (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), it might not trigger data reporting.

December 2021 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum responds that a sudden drop in data within Google Postmaster Tools could mean your sender reputation has been impacted. Check for any recent changes to sending practices.

November 2022 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet says that if there are issues with data showing in Google Postmaster Tools, it can often be due to a technical issue with the connection from Mailjet to Google's end.

July 2021 - Mailjet

What the experts say
6Expert opinions

The absence of data in Google Postmaster Tools can be attributed to Google outages affecting data presentation and changes to Gmail's infrastructure/spam filtering. Google is aware of the issues and working on resolving them. Data restoration usually follows service restoration or system adjustments.

Key opinions

  • Google Outages: Gmail deliverability issues or outages affect Postmaster Tools data.
  • Infrastructure Changes: Changes to Gmail's infrastructure and spam filtering impact Postmaster Tools.
  • Awareness and Action: Google is aware of the issues and is actively working on resolutions.
  • Data Restoration: Data is restored when service is restored.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Gmail Status: Monitor Gmail deliverability for service outages.
  • Expect Fluctuations: Expect Postmaster Tool data fluctuations when Google adjusts its systems.
  • Patience: Data will be available when service is restored.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that she hasn’t heard a timeline for resolution, but she did see some DMARC reports started (briefly) flowing over the weekend and then stopped again.

December 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise (Laura Atkins) explains that Gmail deliverability issues or outages can sometimes affect the data presented in Postmaster Tools, and these are often resolved as Gmail's service is restored.

January 2025 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise (Laura Atkins) explains that Google often makes changes to Gmail's infrastructure and spam filtering, and these changes can temporarily affect the accuracy or availability of data within Postmaster Tools. Restoration usually follows as Google adjusts its systems.

November 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks confirms the Google Postmaster data issue with a couple of client domains.

October 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks reports that data is showing now.

February 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks confirms that Google knows and is working on the Google Postmaster issue.

December 2024 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

Google's official documentation indicates that missing data in Postmaster Tools can be due to processing delays, requiring a waiting period of 24-48 hours. Data visibility is also contingent on meeting a minimum daily email volume and ensuring proper email authentication. Insufficient volume or authentication issues can result in limited or absent data.

Key findings

  • Processing Delays: Data in Google Postmaster Tools is subject to processing delays.
  • Volume Threshold: Meeting a minimum daily email volume is necessary for comprehensive data.
  • Authentication Impact: Email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) status directly affects data visibility.

Key considerations

  • Allow Wait Time: Wait at least 24-48 hours for data to populate in Postmaster Tools.
  • Increase Volume: If possible, increase your daily email volume to meet the minimum threshold.
  • Verify Authentication: Double-check and ensure that your email authentication methods are correctly configured.
Technical article

Documentation from Google Developers states that data in Google Postmaster Tools is subject to processing delays. It advises waiting at least 24-48 hours for data to populate. It also mentions that if you don't meet the minimum daily volume, you might not see comprehensive data.

February 2025 - Google Developers
Technical article

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools Help clarifies that data visibility depends on factors like sending volume and email authentication. Low volume or authentication issues will lead to limited or no data.

January 2025 - Google Postmaster Tools Help
Technical article

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools specifies that data isn't always real-time. They can often be delays of between 24-48 hours.

March 2024 - Google

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