Summary
Numerous email bots and checkers provide data about sent emails, addressing deliverability and authentication concerns. Tools range from basic checks like mail-tester.com and scanmy.email, which provide scores based on SPF, DKIM, and spam filters, to comprehensive platforms like MailerCheck and GlockApps, offering spam score analysis, inbox placement testing, and rendering previews. Email validation services, such as SenderVerify, Email Hippo, ZeroBounce, and NeverBounce, focus on verifying email addresses and identifying deliverability issues. Technical solutions include MXToolbox for diagnosing server health, Google Admin Toolbox for analyzing email headers, and custom Python scripts or Nmap for advanced analysis. Experts recommend SpamAssassin and dkimverify for content and signature checks, and Return Path/Validity for deliverability monitoring. Note that some tools may require technical expertise, and costs associated with subscription-based services should be considered. The scarcity of public bots due to abuse has also led to the development of private, pre-verified checkers.
Key findings
- Variety of Tools: A diverse range of email bots and checkers exists, catering to different needs, from basic email scoring to comprehensive deliverability analysis.
- Authentication Focus: Many tools prioritize verifying email authentication standards like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to improve deliverability.
- Inbox Placement Insights: Services like GlockApps specialize in showing where emails land (inbox, spam, promotions) across various ISPs.
- Email Validation Importance: Email validation services are crucial for identifying invalid addresses, spam traps, and improving list hygiene.
- Technical Diagnostics: Tools like MXToolbox and custom scripts offer capabilities for diagnosing server health and analyzing email headers.
- Public Bot Scarcity: Public email bots/checkers are rare due to abuse, leading to private, pre-verified alternatives.
Key considerations
- Tool Selection: Carefully choose the right tool based on specific needs, considering the depth of analysis and required expertise.
- Integration: Integrate testing tools into existing email marketing workflows for continuous monitoring.
- Cost Implications: Factor in the costs associated with subscription-based services and the technical expertise required for certain tools.
- Data Privacy: Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations when using third-party services for data analysis.
- Interpretation: Properly interpret the data provided by these tools to identify and address specific deliverability challenges.
What email marketers say
14 marketer opinions
Various email bots and checkers offer data on sent emails, aiding in deliverability and authentication checks. These tools range from simple services like mail-tester.com, which provides a score based on various email standards, to comprehensive platforms like MailerCheck and GlockApps, offering detailed testing for spam scores, inbox placement, and rendering previews. Services like SenderVerify, Email Hippo, ZeroBounce, and NeverBounce focus on email verification and validation, identifying deliverability issues and potential risks. For more technical analysis, MXToolbox and Google Admin Toolbox provide tools to diagnose server health and analyze email headers. More advanced solutions involve custom Python scripts or Nmap for server scanning. Experts emphasize the importance of tools that monitor sender reputation and identify authentication problems.
Key opinions
- Diverse Testing Tools: A wide range of email testing tools exist, catering to different needs, from basic spam checks to in-depth deliverability analysis.
- Authentication Importance: Many tools focus on verifying email authentication standards like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to ensure proper deliverability.
- Inbox Placement: Several services specialize in inbox placement testing, showing where emails land across different ISPs (inbox, spam, promotions).
- Validation & Verification: Email validation and verification services are crucial for identifying invalid addresses and reducing bounce rates.
- Server Diagnostics: Tools like MXToolbox and custom scripts can help diagnose server health and identify potential vulnerabilities.
Key considerations
- Tool Selection: Choose the right tool based on specific needs, whether it's a quick spam check or comprehensive deliverability analysis.
- Integration & Automation: Consider integrating these tools into existing email marketing workflows for continuous monitoring and improvement.
- Data Privacy: Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations when using third-party services to analyze email data.
- False Positives: Be aware of potential false positives and negatives in email validation and testing, and use a combination of tools and manual checks.
- Technical Expertise: Some tools, like custom Python scripts or Nmap, require technical expertise to implement and interpret results effectively.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests scanmy.email as an alternative to mail-tester.com with more details.
30 Jan 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from MailerCheck Blog shares that MailerCheck offers detailed email testing, including spam score, authentication checks (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), broken link detection, and rendering previews on different devices and email clients.
28 May 2025 - MailerCheck Blog
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
Experts highlight various approaches to analyzing sent email data. One expert is developing an email bot/checker, while others recommend existing tools. SpamAssassin and dkimverify are suggested for checking email content and DKIM signatures to identify spam triggers and authentication issues. Return Path (now Validity) is identified as a tool for monitoring inbox placement, sender reputation, and overall deliverability across different ISPs.
Key opinions
- Development in Progress: New email analysis tools are actively being developed.
- Content & Authentication Checks: SpamAssassin and dkimverify can assess email content and DKIM signatures.
- Deliverability Monitoring: Return Path/Validity offers insights into inbox placement and sender reputation.
Key considerations
- Tool Availability: New tools are emerging, but their availability and capabilities should be verified.
- Technical Expertise: Using tools like SpamAssassin and dkimverify may require some technical expertise.
- Cost & Subscription: Tools like Return Path/Validity are often subscription-based, so cost should be factored in.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks mentions he is building an email bot/checker but it is not yet ready.
23 Feb 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource, John Levine, explains that tools like SpamAssassin and dkimverify can be used to check the content of your email and verify DKIM signatures, respectively. These tools help identify potential spam triggers and authentication issues.
17 May 2023 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
Technical documentation highlights several resources for analyzing email delivery issues. MXToolbox offers tools for diagnosing email server health, including checking DNS records and blacklists. Google Admin Toolbox provides the Messageheader tool for analyzing email headers, revealing the email's path and authentication results. The RFC Editor provides the official specifications for SMTP, offering a deep understanding of email server protocols.
Key findings
- MXToolbox Diagnostics: MXToolbox provides tools for checking DNS records, blacklists, and performing delivery tests.
- Google Messageheader Analysis: Google Admin Toolbox offers the Messageheader tool for analyzing email headers.
- SMTP Specifications: RFC Editor provides official SMTP specifications.
Key considerations
- Technical Expertise: Using these resources effectively requires a certain level of technical knowledge.
- Scope of Analysis: Each tool focuses on different aspects of email delivery, so a combination may be needed for a comprehensive analysis.
- Data Interpretation: The information provided by these resources needs to be interpreted to identify and address specific deliverability problems.
Technical article
Documentation from RFC Editor provides the official specifications for SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), outlining how email servers should handle sending and receiving emails, which can be used to understand potential issues at a technical level.
22 Mar 2023 - RFC Editor
Technical article
Documentation from Google Admin Toolbox shares that the Messageheader tool helps analyze email headers, providing insights into the email's path, authentication results, and potential issues.
30 Oct 2021 - Google
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