Google Postmaster Tools domain compliance

If you’re sending emails in bulk (>5000 emails/day), you need to know this. In a recent update, Google laid down a threshold of spam rate for bulk senders, which is less than 0.3%. This means two things: [1] You need to monitor the no. of spam complaints regularly - Spam complaints are NOT emails landing in your spam folder [2] You need to keep your spam complaints below 0.3% - Many of the companies I know have higher spam complaints First, start monitoring spam complaints by setting up Gmail Postmaster Tools for your domain. It’s a free tool by Google to check delivery errors, spam reports, domain reputation, and IP reputation. The more important question though is how to maintain spam complaint rates below 0.3%. The answer is simple - Be more relevant and valuable to users. For that, make sure to: [a] Segment your users (Use their activity, intent, and need to segment) [b] Understand what each of these segments want (Ask them questions) Send emails that are relevant to their needs. Don’t just sell but educate, entertain, and engage them [c] Bring novelty in each email. Don’t just keep sending the same sales-oriented email every day. If you don’t have any value to add, don’t send the email. There are other requirements for senders, too, like: [1] Authenticate outgoing emails by setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. DMARC may be set to p=none. [2] Enable one-click unsubscribe. And process unsubscription requests within two days. The deadline to set these up is February 1, 2024 - but they’re nudging senders to set them up already. In fact, setting these up earlier “may improve your email delivery”, the update said. For more details - read their email sender guidelines [link in comments]

PSA: Your spam rate reporting inside your ESP's dashboard does NOT INCLUDE Gmail. Why? Spam reporting is posted in your ESP dashboard is through feedback loop response. They send us a code, we decipher it and translate the data. However GMAIL does not provide direct feedback on email delivery issues, requiring the use of GPMT (Google Postmaster Tools). GPMT is a free tool from Google that offers insights into technical aspects of your email authentication, enabling you to monitor the reputation of your domain/IP, and to track any spam complaints. As you run to set this up, just remember: 1. Set it up both your main domain and add your subdomains you have set for your sending domain (i.e. Send. yourdomain . com). This will allow you to track the reputation of both and watch them closely. 2. Remember that gmail data is generally 1-2 days delayed (they are working on making it better). So if you see a spam complaint rise today, that means you need to look back 24-72 hours back in your sending. 3. Use the other tabs: IP reputation, authentication, feedback loops, etc. Remember a .3% is the magic number. But it's not black and white. it depends on your domain reputation which is measured by your historical spam complaints. And depending on your domain reputation, it could get your blocked. Today we're already seeing errors and throttling. However as we continue down the timeline, it will start being blocked. So the more you are watching today, the better prepared you will be as April rolls around and the enforcement increases. Yahoo/AOL plans to release their own version later this year. Have you set up your GPMT already?

On October 1st, Google retired Postmaster Tools v1 and fully shifted to v2. At the same time, they sent a bulk notice to senders who are not compliant with Google’s Email Sender Requirements. To continue sending to Gmail, you must have every requirement checked: - SPF & DKIM authentication - From: header alignment - DMARC authentication - TLS encryption - DNS records (A/PTR) - Spam complaint rate - One-click unsubscribe - Honor unsubscribe Static requirements (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, Alignment, TLS, DNS) are technical and must be configured correctly. These can be easily validated with DMARC monitoring solutions like EasyDMARC. Dynamic requirements (complaints, one-click unsub, honoring unsubscribes) depend on your sending practices. High complaint rates often mean bad list hygiene, poor targeting, or ignoring engagement rules. If you’re not honoring unsubscribes or providing a one-click option, you’re already out of compliance. Google’s stance is clear: “Failing to meet these requirements could lead to more of your emails being rejected.” No shortcuts. Get your static setup fixed. Get your practices in order. The margin for error is gone. #Google #Deliverability #DMARC

Google and Yahoo have rolled out new email requirements, and if you're sending email, you are quite surely sending a lot of mail their way. So, it's crucial to get yourself compliant with their rules and monitor your email performance to ensure you *stay* compliant. Here's what to focus on: 1️⃣ Bounces: Enforcement is being rolled out in a phased approach, starting with non-compliant emails facing delays in delivery. Eventually, these will result in rejections, so ensure compliance to avoid disruptions in delivery. 2️⃣ Opens: Track open rates, especially at the provider level, to gauge performance accurately. A drop post-compliance could signal reputation issues. 3️⃣ Unsubscribes: While a spike post-implementation is expected, monitor for sustained trends, indicating potential recipient fatigue or list hygiene issues. 4️⃣ Spam Complaints: Maintain spam rates below 0.1%, aiming even lower for consistent inbox placement. Monitor closely, as complaints can adversely affect deliverability. 5️⃣ Overall Reputation: Evaluate your sender reputation using metrics like StreamScore. Consistent positive engagement indicates compliance and enhances deliverability. Additional Tips: ➡️ Leverage tools like #Google Postmaster Tools and #Yahoo Sender Hub for deeper insights into sender reputation, complaint rates, etc. ➡️ Conduct seed testing to assess inbox placement, focusing on Google and Yahoo addresses. Although use this directionally, as false positives are common. ➡️ Ensure you're compliant with authentication standards (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) using tools like the Google Postmaster Tools compliance dashboard and About My Email, built by Steve Atkins from Word to the Wise. Late to Comply? Well, get movin'... like, today! Then keep a close eye on delivery, bounces, and engagement metrics. Address your compliance gaps promptly — focusing on your most important mail streams like transactional mail first — to mitigate potential damage to recipient trust (and your sender reputation!) Ultimately, compliance, best practices, and performance monitoring are key to a successful email program...not only because these are required by Google and Yahoo, but also because they're the right thing to do for the sake of your email recipients! Remember they are who we are really here to please, not the mailbox providers. I'm sure I'm missing some great tips, so please back me up by adding them in the comments, you nerd. 😉 Also, reach out for support whenever needed! I've been living and breathing this topic for months, and more importantly — I'll be chatting directly with representatives from Google and Yahoo in a webinar on April 10th! I'd be happy to ask them questions on your behalf. 💌 #emailmarketing #deliverability #compliance