It is not possible to identify specific individuals who report emails as spam in Gmail due to the absence of a direct feedback loop (FBL) and privacy concerns. The focus should be on reducing spam complaints through various strategies. Key among these is improving email list quality by using double opt-in, regularly cleaning inactive subscribers, and preventing list bombing. Content relevance is crucial, necessitating segmentation and tailored content. Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential. Maintaining a positive sender reputation through best practices like warming up IP addresses and monitoring complaint rates (aiming for below 0.1%) is also important. Tools like Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS provide aggregate data but not individual complaint details. Avoiding spam trigger words and engaging subscribers with valuable content further reduce the chances of emails being marked as spam.
10 marketer opinions
It is generally not possible to identify the specific individuals who mark emails as spam in Gmail due to privacy reasons and the lack of a direct feedback loop. To mitigate spam complaints, email marketers should focus on improving email list quality through double opt-in and regular cleaning of inactive subscribers. Creating engaging and relevant content, avoiding spam trigger words, and properly authenticating emails using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are also essential. Maintaining a good sender reputation through consistent best practices, such as warming up IP addresses and monitoring complaint rates, helps in ensuring that emails reach the inbox rather than being marked as spam.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit explains that regularly pruning inactive subscribers is crucial. Those who haven't engaged in six months or more are likely to mark your emails as spam. Keeping a clean list improves your sender reputation.
28 Sep 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks shares you can't know who complained with Gmail. Complaints happen, all you have to do is keep them low. One way of doing so is to highlight the unsub link, at the top of your email, so people would unsub instead of complain.
18 Oct 2023 - Email Geeks
3 expert opinions
Gmail does not offer a traditional Feedback Loop (FBL) for identifying individual spam reporters due to privacy concerns. High complaint rates significantly impact deliverability, signalling a lack of interest or consent. Monitoring complaint rates and addressing underlying issues like list quality and content relevance is crucial, with an ideal target of under 0.1%. Tools exist to check for list bombing incidents, and regularly reviewing signup processes helps ensure valid users.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource details that Feedback Loops (FBLs) are mechanisms used by ISPs to forward complaints from their users about specific emails. Unfortunately, not all ISPs offer FBLs and even when they do, you generally can't get user-specific information due to privacy concerns. Using an FBL allows you to remove users who are marking your messages as spam. Gmail does not offer a traditional FBL.
27 Mar 2022 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that there are tools to check if your domains or IPs have been subject to a list bomb, and suggests that senders regularly review their signup process to ensure that you're getting valid users.
10 Aug 2022 - Word to the Wise
3 technical articles
Google Postmaster Tools provides aggregate spam rate data for your domain but does not reveal individual user complaints. While RFC Editor defines the Abuse Reporting Format (ARF) for feedback reports, Gmail doesn't fully support sending individual complaint reports. Microsoft's SNDS provides IP reputation data and complaint rates specifically for Outlook.com, but also lacks individual user data. The overall emphasis is on monitoring aggregate metrics to assess email sending practices.
Technical article
Documentation from Google explains that Google Postmaster Tools provides aggregate data on your domain's spam rate, but it does not offer details about individual user complaints. It allows senders to monitor the overall health and reputation of their email sending practices regarding spam, authentication, and encryption.
30 Jun 2024 - Google
Technical article
Documentation from RFC Editor describes the Abuse Reporting Format (ARF) which defines a standard format for email feedback reports, including spam complaints. However, Gmail does not fully support sending individual complaint reports directly to senders. Some mailbox providers may provide aggregate feedback, but not individual user data.
15 Sep 2021 - RFC Editor
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