Summary
Numerous alternatives exist to Validity for email certification and deliverability data, each with distinct features and strengths. Comprehensive platforms like Sendinblue offer marketing automation and deliverability tools, while specialized tools like GlockApps, Litmus, and Email on Acid focus on testing and rendering. For transactional emails, Mailgun and Postmark are recommended. Free options include Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS for monitoring reputation, and combining these with feedback loops is a cost-effective approach. Sender Score tracks IP reputation, and Mail-Tester checks spam scores. Remember that certification programs may vary in quality, and FBL coverage and blocklist monitoring are crucial for deliverability.
Key findings
- Diverse Options: Alternatives span comprehensive platforms (Sendinblue), specialized tools (GlockApps, Litmus), and transactional services (Mailgun, Postmark).
- Testing is Key: Testing platforms (Litmus, Email on Acid) and spam score checkers (Mail-Tester) are essential for identifying and resolving issues.
- Free Resources: Google Postmaster Tools, Microsoft SNDS, and feedback loops offer no-cost insights into reputation and deliverability.
- Reputation Matters: IP reputation (Sender Score) and blocklist monitoring are critical for maintaining deliverability.
- Certification Caveats: Certification programs vary in quality; consider FBL coverage when evaluating alternatives.
- Email Authentication: Implementing SPF and DKIM records are critical to enhance deliverability and prevent spoofing.
Key considerations
- Feature Alignment: Choose alternatives that align with specific needs: comprehensive platform vs. specialized tools.
- Testing Investment: Allocate resources for testing emails across various platforms and devices.
- Cost-Benefit: Balance the cost of paid services against the benefits of free tools and manual monitoring.
- Reputation Management: Prioritize monitoring and managing IP reputation to ensure consistent deliverability.
- FBL Coverage: Consider the coverage and relevance of feedback loops offered by different providers.
- Email Authentication: Ensure proper email authentication with SPF and DKIM records to prevent spoofing.
What email marketers say
13 marketer opinions
Several alternatives to Validity for email certification and deliverability data exist, each offering different features and strengths. These include comprehensive platforms like Sendinblue, specialized deliverability testing tools like GlockApps, and email testing services like Litmus and Email on Acid. Mailgun is recommended for transactional emails, while Postmark specializes in transactional email deliverability. Free tools like Google Postmaster Tools, Microsoft SNDS and feedback loops can also be used to monitor deliverability. Sender Score can be used to track IP reputation, and Mail-Tester can check email spam scores. It's also worth noting that isipp.com is a certification service but may not offer the same reputation dashboard features as Validity. All certification programs may vary in talent and service quality.
Key opinions
- Platform Variety: Alternatives range from comprehensive platforms like Sendinblue to specialized tools like GlockApps and Mailgun.
- Testing Importance: Email and deliverability testing is crucial, with tools like Litmus, Email on Acid, and Mail-Tester aiding in this process.
- Free Tools: Free tools like Google Postmaster Tools and feedback loops offer cost-effective deliverability monitoring.
- IP Reputation: Monitoring IP reputation is important, with Sender Score and Microsoft SNDS providing relevant data.
- Certification Caveats: Certification services like isipp.com may not offer the same features as Validity, and service quality can vary.
Key considerations
- Feature Set: Consider whether a comprehensive platform or specialized tools best fit your needs.
- Testing Capabilities: Evaluate the email and deliverability testing features offered by each alternative.
- Cost: Weigh the cost of paid services against the benefits of free tools and manual monitoring.
- Reputation Monitoring: Assess the tools available for monitoring IP reputation and spam scores.
- Service Quality: Research the service quality and talent associated with different certification programs.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Sender Score shares about IP Reputation. Sender Score provides a score for a sending IP address's reputation, with insights into the impact of the score. Higher scores typically result in better deliverability.
12 Jul 2024 - Sender Score
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailjet Blog shares that Sendinblue is an excellent alternative for comprehensive email marketing features, including deliverability tools and marketing automation.
24 Aug 2021 - Mailjet Blog
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
When seeking alternatives to Validity for email certification and deliverability data, experts recommend focusing on feedback loops (FBLs) and blocklist monitoring. Feedback loops provide direct insights into spam complaints from mailbox providers, while monitoring blocklists is a key component for understanding and mitigating deliverability issues related to sender reputation.
Key opinions
- Feedback Loops: Coverage and relevance of feedback loops from different mailbox providers are crucial for understanding spam complaints.
- Blocklist Monitoring: Monitoring blocklists is essential for identifying and addressing deliverability issues related to sender reputation.
Key considerations
- FBL Coverage: Evaluate which mailbox providers are covered by the feedback loops offered by alternative services.
- Blocklist Impact: Understand the impact of being listed on different blocklists and prioritize monitoring those most relevant to your target audience.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource, John Levine, explains the importance of monitoring blocklists as a key component of deliverability monitoring, and to understand the impact of being listed on different blocklists.
13 Nov 2022 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, recommends considering the coverage and relevance of feedback loops (FBLs) offered by different mailbox providers when seeking alternatives for deliverability data, as FBLs provide direct insights into spam complaints.
28 May 2024 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
When seeking alternatives to Validity for email certification and deliverability data, several documentation sources highlight key aspects. SparkPost's platform offers robust analytics and deliverability tools, focusing on sender reputation and inbox placement insights. Google Postmaster Tools provides a free method to monitor sender reputation and spam rates specifically for Gmail. Microsoft SNDS allows monitoring of IP reputation on the Microsoft network. Finally, SPF and DKIM, as documented in RFCs, are essential email authentication methods to prevent spoofing and enhance deliverability.
Key findings
- SparkPost Analytics: SparkPost provides analytics and tools for insights into sender reputation and inbox placement.
- Google Postmaster Tools: Google Postmaster Tools offers free monitoring of sender reputation and spam rates for Gmail.
- Microsoft SNDS: Microsoft SNDS enables monitoring of IP reputation on the Microsoft network.
- SPF & DKIM: SPF and DKIM are critical email authentication methods for preventing spoofing and improving deliverability.
Key considerations
- Platform Choice: Consider whether SparkPost's paid platform or the free tools from Google and Microsoft better suit your needs and scale.
- Authentication Setup: Ensure proper implementation and maintenance of SPF and DKIM records for your domain.
- Gmail Focus: Google Postmaster Tools is specific to Gmail users, so consider your audience distribution.
- Microsoft Focus: Microsoft SNDS is specific to the Microsoft network users, so consider your audience distribution.
Technical article
Documentation from RFC shares about SPF records. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is an email authentication method designed to prevent spammers from sending messages on behalf of your domain.
31 Dec 2023 - RFC
Technical article
Documentation from RFC shares about DKIM. DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is an email authentication method designed to detect email spoofing.
9 Nov 2021 - RFC
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