Why is my email opening rate close to zero on a specific IP pool?

Summary

Experiencing close-to-zero email open rates on a specific IP pool is a multifaceted issue with potential causes ranging from technical glitches to sender reputation problems. Possible culprits include broken open tracking, emails being blocked or filtered as spam due to low IP/domain reputation, exceeding sending limits, improper IP warm-up, list hygiene issues, and authentication failures. Thorough investigation, testing, and adherence to best practices are essential to diagnose and resolve the problem.

Key findings

  • Tracking Issues: Broken open tracking can falsely report zero open rates; especially if the issue across all ISPs, test tracking mechanisms.
  • Reputation Problems: Low IP and domain reputation can lead to emails being filtered as spam or blocked entirely.
  • Deliverability Issues: Email may be queued and not sent by ESP or the system may be throttling volume.
  • Technical Issues: Technical issues can include problems with your event collectors.
  • Volume Limits: Exceeding sending limits set by mailbox providers can result in delays or blocks.
  • IP Warm-up: Failing to properly warm up new IPs can damage sender reputation and impact deliverability.
  • List Hygiene: Poor list hygiene, including invalid or unengaged addresses, negatively affects deliverability.
  • Authentication Failures: Lack of proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) can cause emails to be flagged as spam.
  • DNS Configuration: Improper DNS configuration, missing or incorrect reverse DNS (PTR) records can negatively impact deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Verify Tracking: Test and verify open tracking across different email clients and browsers.
  • Monitor Reputation: Monitor IP and domain reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools.
  • Check Deliverability: Use seed lists and inbox placement tests to check if emails are reaching the inbox.
  • Review ESP Settings: Check with ESP if emails are stuck in queue and make sure there are no technical issues
  • Warm-up IPs: Gradually warm up new IPs by slowly increasing sending volume.
  • Clean Lists: Regularly clean email lists to remove invalid and unengaged subscribers.
  • Implement Authentication: Ensure proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are configured.
  • Review DNS: Make sure that the DNS configuration is correct and that the reverse DNS is properly set up.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

Experiencing near-zero email open rates on a specific IP pool can stem from various deliverability issues, technical problems, or sender reputation concerns. Key areas to investigate include IP warm-up, sender reputation, email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), list hygiene, open tracking functionality, throttling by the ESP, and potential issues with event collectors. It's also important to check for blacklisting, spam filter triggers, and sending volume anomalies.

Key opinions

  • IP Reputation: Low IP reputation due to spam complaints, blacklisting, or sudden volume increases can lead to near-zero open rates.
  • List Hygiene: Poor list hygiene, including invalid or unengaged addresses, negatively impacts deliverability.
  • Authentication: Lack of proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) can cause emails to be flagged as spam.
  • Open Tracking Issues: Broken open tracking can falsely report zero open rates.
  • ESP Throttling: The ESP might be throttling email sending rates, impacting open rates.
  • IP Warm-up: Failing to properly warm up a new IP address can damage sender reputation.
  • Event Collector Problems: Issues with the event collector can disrupt tracking and reporting.

Key considerations

  • Monitor IP Reputation: Regularly monitor IP reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools and address any issues promptly.
  • Implement Authentication: Ensure proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is in place to verify email legitimacy.
  • Clean Email Lists: Regularly clean email lists to remove invalid and unengaged subscribers.
  • Test Open Tracking: Test open tracking functionality across different email clients and devices to ensure accuracy.
  • Investigate ESP: Check with your ESP regarding any potential throttling or queueing issues.
  • Warm-up New IPs: Gradually warm up new IP addresses by slowly increasing sending volume over time.
  • Spam Testing: Ensure emails are not ending up in the spam folder, test using different email accounts and services.
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailonAcid.com responds that near-zero open rates could be a result of broken open tracking. Images, which trigger tracking, might be blocked by default by email clients or firewalls. It is also possible there is a problem with the tracking pixel. Test email clients to diagnose tracking issues.

May 2023 - EmailonAcid.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stackoverflow says to always test emails with multiple email accounts (gmail, hotmail, yahoo, etc) to see if they're landing in spam. They also indicate you need to do this to determine inbox placement.

April 2022 - Stackoverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailgun.com explains that a low IP reputation can significantly impact open rates, even leading to near-zero engagement. Factors like spam complaints, blacklisting, and sudden sending volume increases can negatively affect IP reputation. Maintaining a good sending reputation through consistent sending practices and monitoring feedback loops is crucial.

November 2021 - Mailgun.com
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests checking with the provider for issues with the event collector. Mentions that even with spam problems, some activity is usually seen. Also says to check when opens/clicks stopped if any were recorded, or if they are sprinkled throughout.

June 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from HubSpot.com explains that a low sender reputation can severely impact email deliverability, leading to emails being filtered as spam or blocked entirely. Maintaining a positive sender reputation requires consistent sending practices, proper authentication, and actively managing your email list to remove unengaged subscribers.

October 2024 - HubSpot
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests checking with the ESP to see if the emails are stuck in a queue if all metrics are near zero.

February 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that a new IP address needs to be warmed up properly. Sending large volumes of email from a new IP without gradually increasing the volume can trigger spam filters and damage your reputation, leading to zero or very low opens. Begin with a small volume and gradually increase it over time.

October 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus.com suggests that if there are any issues with email lists this could be affecting the results. If purchased, or if you are emailing invalid addresses and getting bounces this will affect deliverability of emails.

March 2024 - Litmus.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum explains that their ESP might be throttling the number of emails that they're sending from the IP pool, leading to a slow send rate and low open rates.

December 2023 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks indicates that one reason for emails not being delivered is that they may be queued up and not sent by the email service provider (ESP).

May 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests that if only one metric (opening rate) has dropped, it might be a reporting issue with the software or that the open-tracking is broken. Also says that if an IP was block-listed on a public RBL, there would be an increase in bounces.

October 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid.com shares that several factors influence deliverability, leading to low open rates. These include poor list hygiene (sending to inactive or invalid addresses), lack of authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and sending content that triggers spam filters. Regularly cleaning email lists and implementing proper authentication protocols is recommended.

September 2024 - SendGrid.com

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

Experiencing very low or zero email open rates on a specific IP pool often indicates a deliverability or tracking issue. It is important to determine whether the problem stems from the emails not reaching the inbox, a failure in tracking opens, or a poor sender reputation due to transitioning to a new IP pool. Testing deliverability and verifying tracking are crucial first steps, followed by IP warm-up and authentication checks.

Key opinions

  • Tracking Error: The near-zero open rate might be a result of a tracking error, especially if the issue affects all ISPs. Test by sending a test email and loading a pixel.
  • Deliverability Issue: Emails may not be reaching the inbox. Check deliverability using seed lists to confirm placement.
  • New IP Reputation: Transitioning to a new IP pool often leads to deliverability challenges due to the lack of a sending reputation.

Key considerations

  • Verify Tracking: Test email open tracking to rule out issues with tracking mechanisms.
  • Assess Deliverability: Use seed lists or similar methods to assess whether emails are landing in the inbox or spam folder.
  • Warm-up IP: If using a new IP pool, gradually warm up the IPs by slowly increasing sending volume over time.
  • Check Authentication: Review DNS settings and ensure proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is configured.
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource shares that if you're seeing very low or zero engagement rates, particularly after changing something (like an IP pool), it's crucial to investigate the underlying cause. Suggests checking deliverability using seed lists or similar methods to ensure emails are actually reaching the inbox.

May 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that when transitioning to a new IP pool, it's common to experience deliverability challenges initially. This is because the new IPs lack a sending reputation. Gradually warming up the IP addresses by slowly increasing the sending volume is crucial to build a positive reputation with mailbox providers. Also check DNS settings and make sure to review authentication.

July 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks indicates that if the issue is across all ISPs, it could be a tracking error. Advises using inbox tracking to determine if it's a deliverability problem and to test tracking by sending a test email and loading a pixel.

October 2024 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Experiencing close-to-zero email opening rates on a specific IP pool can be attributed to sender reputation issues, exceeding sending limits imposed by mailbox providers, or lacking essential email authentication configurations. Maintaining a positive sender reputation with major providers like Gmail and adhering to their guidelines is crucial. Additionally, proper DNS configurations, including reverse DNS records, and implementing SPF and DMARC policies, are vital for ensuring email deliverability and preventing emails from being marked as spam or blocked.

Key findings

  • Sender Reputation: Low sender reputation with providers like Gmail results in emails being marked as spam or blocked.
  • Sending Limits: Exceeding Microsoft's sending limits or being throttled leads to delayed or blocked emails.
  • Reverse DNS: Lack of a proper reverse DNS (PTR) record can negatively impact deliverability as it affects sender verification.
  • SPF Records: Absence of SPF records, or sending from IPs not listed in the SPF record, increases the likelihood of emails being rejected.
  • DMARC Policies: Failure to implement DMARC policies exposes the domain to spoofing and phishing attacks, impacting deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Reputation: Regularly monitor sender reputation using Google Postmaster Tools and other relevant tools.
  • Adhere to Limits: Ensure compliance with sending limits imposed by mailbox providers like Microsoft.
  • Configure rDNS: Set up a proper reverse DNS (PTR) record for your sending IP.
  • Implement SPF: Implement SPF records to define authorized sending IPs.
  • Implement DMARC: Implement DMARC policies to protect the domain from unauthorized use and enhance deliverability.
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org explains that implementing DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) policies allows email senders to protect their domain from unauthorized use, such as spoofing and phishing attacks. DMARC helps ensure that only legitimate emails are delivered, improving overall email security and deliverability, which prevents emails getting caught as spam.

May 2023 - DMARC.org
Technical article

Documentation from Google explains that sender reputation is crucial for Gmail deliverability. A low reputation means emails are more likely to be marked as spam or blocked, resulting in zero opens. Monitoring your reputation in Google Postmaster Tools and adhering to Google's sender guidelines is essential.

April 2021 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from RFC explains that lack of a proper reverse DNS (PTR) record for your sending IP can negatively affect deliverability. Many email servers use reverse DNS to verify the legitimacy of the sender. Without it, emails might be treated with suspicion and filtered or blocked, resulting in zero opens.

April 2023 - RFC-Editor.org
Technical article

Documentation from IETF explains that implementing SPF records allows senders to define which IP addresses are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. If the sending IP is not listed in the SPF record, emails are more likely to be rejected or marked as spam, leading to zero open rates.

August 2023 - IETF.org
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft answers that Microsoft implements sending limits and throttling to protect its users from spam. If you exceed these limits from your IP pool, your emails might be delayed or blocked, leading to very low open rates. Staying within established sending limits and following best practices is important.

December 2024 - Microsoft