Suped

How can I gain access to Google Postmaster Tools when my ESP controls the subdomain?

Summary

When your ESP controls the subdomain in Google Postmaster Tools (GPT), gaining access involves a multi-faceted approach. Primarily, you should request the ESP to grant you read-only access via the 'Manage Users' functionality within GPT. This may involve the ESP verifying the parent domain and then delegating access to the subdomain, or directly adding your Google account with appropriate permissions. If direct access is not feasible, requesting regular reports or screenshots from the ESP's GPT dashboard is a viable alternative. Proactive communication, emphasizing the importance of GPT data for monitoring and improving email deliverability, and offering assistance to the ESP are crucial. Ensuring the ESP uses separate GPT accounts for each client prevents data commingling. Ultimately, the goal is to gain insights into your email performance and promptly address any deliverability issues. If adding domains via DNS records is an option, that is also beneficial.

Key findings

  • Manage Users is Key: The 'Manage Users' option in GPT is the primary method for ESPs to grant access.
  • Read-Only Access Recommended: Requesting read-only access ensures data privacy and security.
  • Direct Access is Important: Direct access allows you to monitor reputation and identify issues quickly.
  • Alternative Reports are an Option: Requesting reports from the ESP is a good way to get access to the data.
  • TXT/CNAME DNS Records can be added: Ensure you add these records to your DNS to verify ownership.

Key considerations

  • ESP Cooperation is Essential: Gaining access fundamentally depends on the ESP's willingness to cooperate.
  • Clear Communication is Vital: Communicate your needs clearly and offer assistance to facilitate the process.
  • Separate Accounts are Critical: ESPs should use separate accounts to prevent data commingling between clients.
  • Troubleshooting Possible: GPT data is beneficial in helping debug problems.
  • Be Proactive: Be Proactive in gaining access to tools to assist with email deliverability.

What email marketers say

13 marketer opinions

When your Email Service Provider (ESP) controls the subdomain, gaining access to Google Postmaster Tools (GPT) requires collaboration. Options include having the ESP grant you read-only access via the 'Manage Users' feature in GPT, requesting regular reports or screenshots from their GPT dashboard, or exploring the possibility of verifying the parent domain to gain access to subdomains. Direct communication with the ESP, clearly stating your need for access and offering assistance in the process, is also crucial. If direct access isn't possible, request regular reports. Finally, explore adding TXT or CNAME records to the DNS yourself.

Key opinions

  • Manage Users: ESPs can grant read-only access through the 'Manage Users' option in Google Postmaster Tools.
  • Parent Domain Verification: Verifying the parent domain may allow access to subdomains in Google Postmaster Tools.
  • Regular Reports: If direct access is not possible, request regular reports or screenshots from the ESP's GPT dashboard.
  • DNS Records: Explore manually adding the DNS records yourself.

Key considerations

  • Communication with ESP: Clearly communicate your need for access and offer assistance to the ESP.
  • Read-Only Access: Request read-only access to protect the ESP's data and ensure you can only view the data.
  • Alternative Solutions: If direct access is impossible, explore alternative solutions such as regular reports.
  • Subdomain Delegation: Subdomain delegation for Postmaster Tools can sometimes be tricky.

Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks Forum shares that the ESP should be able to grant you access via the 'Manage Users' option within Google Postmaster Tools, even if they control the subdomain. They can add your Google account as a user with read-only access.

27 Jun 2023 - EmailGeeks Forum

Marketer view

Email marketer from Customer.io highlights the importance of using Google Postmaster Tools to track email deliverability. They recommend being proactive in gaining access to tools to assist with email deliverability.

20 Oct 2024 - Customer.io

What the experts say

4 expert opinions

Gaining access to Google Postmaster Tools (GPT) when your ESP controls the subdomain can be achieved by requesting the ESP to grant you access via the 'Manage Users' functionality. Experts recommend requesting 'read-only' access to protect privacy and ensure data security. Separate accounts for each client are essential to prevent data commingling. Direct access to your GPT data is crucial for monitoring your reputation and promptly addressing deliverability issues.

Key opinions

  • Grant Access Button: GPT has a 'grant access' button to share access with other accounts.
  • Client Authorization: Clients can authorize access to their GPT data by sharing it with Gmail accounts.
  • Read-Only Access: Requesting 'read-only' access protects data and allows viewing without modification.
  • Separate Accounts: ESPs should use separate GPT accounts for each client to prevent data commingling.

Key considerations

  • Direct Access Importance: Direct access to GPT data is critical for timely monitoring and issue resolution.
  • ESP Cooperation: Gaining access relies on the ESP's willingness to grant permissions.
  • Privacy & Security: Requesting read-only access ensures data privacy and security.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks mentions that many of their clients authorize them to see their GPT data shared with their gmail account.

5 Oct 2023 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that you should ensure your ESP uses a separate account for each client to prevent data commingling. They also highlight the importance of having direct access to your data in Google Postmaster Tools to monitor your reputation and identify potential issues quickly.

2 Nov 2024 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says

4 technical articles

Accessing Google Postmaster Tools (GPT) when your ESP controls the subdomain requires either proving domain ownership or having the ESP delegate access. Google's documentation emphasizes that the ESP should grant you access, likely via the 'add users' function with appropriate permission levels (e.g., read-only). ESP-specific documentation, such as SparkPost's, confirms their ability to add users with proper access. Access to GPT data is beneficial in identifying issues.

Key findings

  • Domain Ownership: Access to GPT data requires proving ownership of the sending domain.
  • Delegated Access: If an ESP manages the subdomain, they need to delegate access or verify the domain themselves.
  • Add Users Function: Google Workspace Admin Help details how to add users with different permissions to GPT.
  • Debugging Email: Access to Google Postmaster Tools is beneficial in identifying issues.

Key considerations

  • ESP Cooperation: Gaining access relies on the ESP's willingness and ability to grant permissions.
  • Permission Levels: The ESP can assign different permission levels (read-only, etc.) when granting access.
  • Domain Verification: Domain verification may be required if the ESP doesn't delegate access directly.

Technical article

Documentation from Sendgrid highlights how beneficial Google Postmaster Tools data is when tracking issues with email sending. As a sender it is a great way to debug your email sends for any issues that might arise.

25 Jul 2022 - Sendgrid

Technical article

Documentation from Google Support explains that to access data, you need to prove ownership of the sending domain. If your ESP manages the subdomain, they need to delegate access to you or verify the domain themselves and grant you access.

4 Nov 2021 - Google Support

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