What exactly is Zmail?

Zmail is Zoom's email service and client. It allows users to connect existing third-party email accounts like Gmail or Microsoft 365 within the Zoom app, or create a new email address with an @zmail.com domain. It aims to unify communication tools in one platform.

What are the main features Zmail offers?

Zmail offers deep integration with Zoom's other services, including meetings, calendar, chat, and phone. Key features include the ability to access third-party mailboxes, an optional @zmail.com email address, security with encryption , and custom domain support for business users.

How does Zmail affect email deliverability?

For email deliverability, using Zmail means ensuring proper email authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly set up, especially for custom domains. If using an @zmail.com address, you'll need to build sender reputation. For existing email accounts accessed via Zmail, deliverability relies on your original provider's setup.

How does Zmail fit into the broader Zoom ecosystem?

Zmail is part of Zoom One, their consolidated platform for business communications. It aims to centralize various communication methods, making it easier for users to switch between email, calendar, chat, and video meetings within a single application, thereby improving efficiency.

What is Zmail and what features does it offer as an email client and service? - Technical - Email deliverability - Knowledge base

Zmail refers to Zoom's venture into providing both an email client and an email service. This initiative aims to integrate email and calendar functionalities directly within the existing Zoom platform, offering users a more consolidated communication and collaboration experience.

The introduction of Zmail signifies Zoom's expansion beyond its core video conferencing capabilities. It's designed to compete with established productivity suites, providing a unified space where users can manage meetings, chats, phone calls, whiteboards, and now, emails and calendars.

Understanding Zoom Mail (Zmail): what it is

Zmail functions in two primary ways: as a client for existing email accounts and as a standalone email service. As a client, it allows users to connect their third-party email providers, such as Gmail or Microsoft 365, directly within the Zoom interface. This means you can access and manage your emails without switching between different applications.

Alternatively, Zmail offers its own email service, allowing users to create accounts with an @zmail.com domain. This option provides a native email address directly tied into the Zoom ecosystem, intended for those who prefer a consolidated solution or are looking for a new email provider. For businesses, custom domain support is available, enabling organizations to use their own domains with Zmail under their Business and Enterprise plans.

Core focus

Zmail aims to unify business communications, integrating email and calendar into the familiar Zoom platform. This helps streamline workflows and reduces the need to switch between multiple applications.

Key advantage

For users heavily invested in Zoom for meetings and chat, Zmail provides an intuitive extension, making email management a seamless part of their daily workflow.

Key features of Zmail

The primary appeal of Zmail lies in its deep integration with Zoom's suite of communication tools. Users can quickly turn email conversations into meetings, schedule calls, or access team chats directly from their inbox. This aims to reduce context switching and improve productivity for those who frequently use Zoom for their work.

One notable feature is its focus on security, with Zoom emphasizing end-to-end encryption for emails handled by its service, particularly for those using the @zmail.com domain. This security posture aligns with the growing demand for privacy in digital communications.The email and calendar services also include robust calendaring features, allowing users to manage their schedules, create events, and send invitations, all synchronized within the Zoom environment.

Other features extend to integration with Zoom's team chat, allowing for seamless transitions between email threads and instant messaging. This creates a cohesive communication ecosystem where different modes of interaction are readily available within a single platform.

Feature	Zmail	Traditional email
Integration	Deeply integrated with Zoom meetings, calendar, chat, and phone.	Requires separate applications or extensions for full integration.
Email client	Can access third-party emails within the Zoom interface.	Typically operates as a standalone application.
Email service	Offers native @zmail.com addresses, with custom domains for business plans.	Primarily offers its own domain, e.g., @gmail.com, @outlook.com.
Security	Emphasizes end-to-end encryption for its native service.	Security varies by provider, often relying on TLS encryption.

Security and deliverability considerations

From a technical standpoint, adopting a new email service like Zmail, especially with its own @zmail.com domain, introduces fresh considerations for email deliverability. Establishing a strong sender reputation from scratch is critical. This involves adhering to best practices like proper email authentication, including DMARC, SPF, and DKIM.

For custom domains used with Zmail, it is essential to configure these records correctly in your DNS. Issues such as DMARC verification failures or unexpected blocklist (blacklist) appearances can severely impact your email's ability to reach the inbox. We always recommend reviewing DMARC reports to identify any configuration errors.

Using third-party email with Zmail

Benefits: Leverages your existing email reputation and familiar address. Seamless integration with Zoom features without changing your primary email.
Considerations: Deliverability and security largely depend on your existing email provider's policies and infrastructure, not Zmail's.

If you choose to use a new @zmail.com address, remember that this is a fresh start for your sender identity. Monitoring your domain reputation will be crucial, as new domains can sometimes face stricter scrutiny from mailbox providers until they build trust. Adhering to good sending practices, like avoiding spam traps and maintaining clean email lists, will be essential for successful deliverability.

Example DMARC record for a custom domainDNS

v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:reports@yourdomain.com; ruf=mailto:forensics@yourdomain.com; fo=1;

The long-term success of Zmail as an email service will depend heavily on its ability to ensure reliable inbox placement for its users. This means proactively managing its sender reputation, implementing strong anti-spam measures, and continuously adapting to the evolving landscape of email security and deliverability standards.

Views from the trenches

Best practices

Always implement proper email authentication, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, for any custom domains used with Zmail to ensure your emails are verified.

Regularly monitor your domain's email reputation and DMARC reports to identify and address any deliverability issues quickly.

Maintain clean email lists and adhere to consent-based sending practices to avoid being flagged as spam by mailbox providers.

Leverage Zmail's integration features to streamline your communication workflow, but be mindful of how this impacts overall email volume and sending patterns.

Common pitfalls

Assuming a new @zmail.com domain automatically has good sender reputation; it needs to be built over time with consistent, good sending behavior.

Ignoring DMARC report errors or warnings for your custom domains, which can lead to emails failing authentication and landing in spam or being rejected.

Not understanding the difference between using Zmail as a client for an existing mailbox versus using their native @zmail.com service, and the differing deliverability implications.

Overlooking the importance of email content and recipient engagement, which are key factors in maintaining a positive sender reputation.

Expert tips

Consider a phased rollout when transitioning to Zmail's native service for business use, especially if you have high email volumes.

Review Zmail's own deliverability guidelines and support resources for best practices specific to their platform.

Implement BIMI for custom domains to enhance brand visibility and trust with supported mailbox providers.

If using Zmail as a client for Microsoft 365 or Gmail, ensure your original service's authentication is robust.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks says that Zmail's DMARC policy had a typo at its launch, highlighting the importance of correct DNS record configuration for new email services.

2022-11-16 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks says that the purpose of Zmail for existing email infrastructure users was unclear, questioning what specific problem it solves in a competitive landscape.

2022-11-16 - Email Geeks

Summary of Zmail

Zmail represents Zoom's strategic move to become a more comprehensive communication platform, offering both an integrated email client and a proprietary email service. Its features emphasize seamless workflow within the Zoom ecosystem, aiming to simplify how users manage their communications.

For email senders and marketers, the emergence of new email providers like Zmail underscores the ongoing importance of email deliverability best practices. Whether you're using Zmail as a client for an existing service or adopting a new @zmail.com address, ensuring proper authentication, managing sender reputation, and adhering to email standards will remain paramount for reaching the inbox.