Domain reputation is a critical and increasingly important factor in email deliverability, often surpassing IP reputation in significance. While IP reputation facilitates initial email acceptance by the receiving server, domain reputation primarily dictates inbox placement. Experts and email marketers agree that ISPs use domain reputation as a key indicator of a sender's trustworthiness. This reputation is influenced by a range of factors, including sending volume, spam complaints, engagement rates (opens, clicks), authentication practices (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and blacklisting status. Hidden ISP filters often rely on domain reputation for nuanced filtering decisions that are not externally queryable. Documentation from major providers like Google and Microsoft confirms domain reputation's central role in their filtering systems. A positive domain reputation enhances the likelihood of emails reaching the inbox, while a poor reputation can lead to spam filtering or blocking. Therefore, consistently following best practices, maintaining clean email lists, generating engaging content, authenticating your domain, and proactively monitoring your reputation are crucial for success.
10 marketer opinions
Domain reputation is increasingly important for email deliverability, often surpassing IP reputation in significance. While IP reputation helps emails get accepted by the receiving server, domain reputation heavily influences inbox placement. ISPs use domain reputation as a key indicator of a sender's trustworthiness, evaluating factors such as sending volume, spam complaints, engagement rates (opens, clicks), authentication practices (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and blacklisting status. A positive domain reputation leads to better inbox placement, whereas a poor one results in spam filtering or blocking. Consistent sending practices, maintaining clean email lists, and creating engaging content are crucial for building and maintaining a strong domain reputation. Proactive monitoring of domain reputation and adherence to email authentication best practices are essential.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailchimp suggests that domain reputation is increasingly important for email deliverability. They recommend senders focus on building a positive domain reputation by authenticating their domain, maintaining clean email lists, and sending engaging content. A strong domain reputation can significantly improve inbox placement rates.
15 Dec 2024 - Mailchimp
Marketer view
Email marketer from ExpertSender shares that engagement metrics are critical. Opens, clicks, and general interaction signal to ISPs that users want to receive email from that domain. Low interaction will affect deliverability negatively.
3 Apr 2025 - ExpertSender
6 expert opinions
Domain reputation is a significant factor affecting email deliverability, often outweighing IP reputation. While IP reputation is essential for initial email acceptance, domain reputation largely dictates inbox placement, with ISPs using it to filter emails. Domain reputation is influenced by sending volume, spam complaints, authentication, engagement rates, and is more critical when emails bypass IP-level blocks but land in spam folders. Hidden ISP filters often use domain reputation for nuanced filtering decisions.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks states that domain reputation drives inbox delivery, and if emails are landing in the bulk/spam folder, the IP address is likely not the primary cause.
28 Jan 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks explains that IP reputation helps get the email accepted by the MX server, but domain reputation largely determines inbox vs. spam folder placement.
9 Jun 2023 - Email Geeks
4 technical articles
Domain reputation is a critical factor in email deliverability, according to both Google and Microsoft's documentation. A positive domain reputation increases the likelihood of emails reaching the inbox, while a poor one can lead to spam filtering or blocking. Proper domain authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for building a positive domain reputation, as it verifies that the sender is authorized to send emails on behalf of the domain. SPF allows specifying authorized mail servers to fight spammers and improve domain reputation.
Technical article
Documentation from RFC explains that SPF lets you specify the mail servers that are permitted to send email on behalf of your domain. This verification helps ISPs to fight spammers by rejecting messages from unauthorized sources, which will help with domain reputation.
17 Jun 2022 - RFC
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft highlights that domain reputation significantly influences email deliverability in Outlook.com. Microsoft's SmartScreen Filter considers the domain reputation when deciding whether to deliver an email to the inbox, junk folder, or block it entirely. Senders should monitor their domain reputation and adhere to best practices to maintain a positive reputation.
22 Jan 2025 - Microsoft
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