Targeting inactive email users without harming domain reputation requires a comprehensive strategy incorporating permission-based marketing, list hygiene, and proactive monitoring. Segmentation is key to isolating inactive users for targeted re-engagement campaigns with incentives and value propositions. Regular list cleaning, including implementing a sunset policy, is crucial for removing unengaged subscribers. A gradual ramp-up approach for re-engagement minimizes risk, complemented by A/B testing and personalization to optimize engagement. Providing easy unsubscribe options respects user preferences and reduces spam complaints. Monitoring tools like Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS offer insights into domain reputation. Feedback Loops (FBLs) and suppression lists help manage spam complaints and prevent sending to problematic addresses. Adhering to email authentication standards (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) establishes trust with email providers. Fundamentally, deliverability is earned through responsible practices, and strategies should be grounded in understanding the client's risk tolerance and adhering to relevant regulations.
10 marketer opinions
To target inactive email users without harming domain reputation, a multi-faceted approach is recommended. Segmentation allows for isolating and specifically targeting inactive users with re-engagement campaigns featuring incentives and value propositions. Regular list cleaning, including implementing a sunset policy (automatically removing users after a defined period of inactivity), is crucial. A gradual ramp-up approach to re-engagement campaigns, coupled with A/B testing and personalization, optimizes engagement. Providing easy unsubscribe options and prioritizing permission demonstrate respect for user preferences. These strategies collectively mitigate risks and maintain a healthy sender reputation.
Marketer view
Email marketer from StackOverflow recommends a gradual ramp-up approach when emailing inactive users. Start by sending to a small, highly engaged segment and gradually increase the volume to inactive users, monitoring metrics like bounces and spam complaints.
18 Jul 2021 - StackOverflow
Marketer view
Email marketer from Sendinblue shares the importance of creating re-engagement campaigns specifically designed for inactive users. These campaigns should offer incentives or highlight the value of staying subscribed, encouraging users to become active again.
25 Feb 2023 - Sendinblue
5 expert opinions
Targeting inactive email users requires a risk-minimized approach focused on permission and list quality. Removing unengaged subscribers is essential to protect domain reputation, as deliverability is earned. While list validation tools remove undeliverable addresses, they don't address the broader issues of sending to inactive users. Sending to users who engage with other brands does not guarantee they want mail from you, potentially leading to spam reports. Proper subscriber management, including sunsetting inactive users, is crucial for maintaining a positive sender reputation, as sending to disengaged users negatively impacts metrics and deliverability. Understanding client's risk tolerance and ensuring they understand the downsides of sending to inactive users is also a key consideration.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that permission is paramount and maintaining list quality by regularly removing unengaged subscribers is essential to protect domain reputation. They emphasize deliverability is earned, not a right.
9 Apr 2022 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks explains that list validation tools will remove undeliverable addresses, but won’t do anything about the bigger problems of sending to inactive users.
7 Sep 2024 - Email Geeks
5 technical articles
Targeting inactive email users without damaging your domain reputation requires careful monitoring and adherence to best practices. Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS are essential for monitoring domain and IP reputation with Gmail and Outlook.com respectively, helping identify deliverability issues related to inactive users. Setting up Feedback Loops (FBLs) with major email providers allows for the prompt removal of users who mark emails as spam. Utilizing suppression lists ensures that previously unsubscribed or problematic addresses are not targeted, protecting sender reputation. Implementing email authentication standards like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC builds trust with email providers, reducing the likelihood of emails being filtered as spam, even when sent to inactive users.
Technical article
Documentation from RFC explains the importance of setting up feedback loops (FBLs) with major email providers. FBLs provide information about spam complaints, allowing you to promptly remove users who mark your emails as spam, including potentially inactive ones.
27 Nov 2022 - RFC-Editor
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft shares that using Sender Network Data Services (SNDS) provides data about your IP address's reputation with Outlook.com users, enabling you to identify and address any negative impact from sending to inactive addresses.
4 Apr 2022 - Microsoft
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