Why is the same email appearing in both Gmail's Primary and Promotions tabs?
Summary
What email marketers say8Marketer opinions
Email marketer from EmailToolTester says that Gmail’s inbox placement is based on sender reputation and user engagement. They suggest using authentication protocols to show that you are who you say you are.
Email marketer from ActiveCampaign suggests to ensure the recipient isn't flagging your emails as important, or having filters.
Email marketer from Mailjet explains that Gmail's algorithm determines tab placement based on factors like sender reputation, content, and user engagement. An email appearing in both Primary and Promotions could be due to Gmail testing its placement or the user interacting with it in a way that signals importance.
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that if an email is marked as Important or Starred, it will show in both tabs.
Email marketer from Reddit shares that sometimes Gmail's filtering can be inconsistent, especially with new senders or content. It suggests monitoring your sender reputation and ensuring your emails are properly authenticated.
Email marketer from SendPulse suggests that an email appearing in both tabs may be due to the recipient marking the email as important, which overrides the automatic categorization. Filters set by the user can also cause this.
Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum explains that if you are sending marketing emails they could appear in both if marked important. This could be a user action or a setting.
Email marketer from SuperOffice notes that Gmail uses algorithms to determine the inbox placement based on sender reputation and user engagement. If your email is not landing in the correct folder, ensure you are using best practices.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks mentions a setting where you can see everything that is in tabs in one mailbox, and has experienced similar issues in the past.
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that Gmail's categorization algorithm is complex and considers multiple factors. Inconsistent categorization can occur due to the algorithm's uncertainty, user behavior (such as manually moving emails), or the email fitting criteria for both tabs.
Expert from Spam Resource advises that to stay out of the Promotions tab one has to maintain a good sender reputation. Ensuring one's mails are well authenticated with SPF/DKIM/DMARC is also beneficial.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Litmus explains that Gmail uses machine learning to categorize emails. Factors such as email content, sending patterns, and user interaction influence which tab an email lands in. Emails can sometimes appear in multiple tabs if the algorithm is uncertain or if the user interacts with it in both tabs.
Documentation from Google Support explains that Gmail's tabbed inbox automatically sorts emails. An email might appear in multiple tabs if it matches the criteria for those tabs or if a user has manually moved it.
Documentation from Postmark explains that to improve your inbox placement you need to follow the latest security standards, sender authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and also to avoid spam trigger words.
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help states that Gmail delivery is based on numerous factors, including the sender's IP address, domain reputation, email authentication, and user reports. If an email appears in multiple tabs, it's likely due to a combination of these factors and how Gmail interprets them.