Summary
Testing email deliverability involves a combination of tools and practices. Platforms like GlockApps, MailMonitor, Inbox Monster, Validity (Everest), SendForensics, and Return Path provide inbox placement testing, deliverability monitoring, and reputation management. Mailtrap allows for safe email inspection in staging environments. Mail-Tester assesses email quality based on SPF, DKIM, and spam filter analysis. Manual checks with seed lists and major email clients (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) are also useful. Tools like Mailosaur support automated testing, while Litmus offers previews across various clients. MXToolbox helps diagnose email server issues. Mailjet and ZeroBounce focus on email validation and list quality. Remember that technical compliance alone does not guarantee inbox placement; sender reputation, engagement, and content relevance are crucial.
Key findings
- Variety of Tools: Numerous platforms offer different aspects of email deliverability testing, including inbox placement, spam analysis, and server diagnostics.
- Technical vs. Reputation: Passing technical checks isn't enough; sender reputation and recipient engagement are critical.
- Seed List Testing: GlockApps, MailMonitor, Validity, and similar tools are recommended for monitoring inbox placement.
- Importance of Staging: Mailtrap allows for safe testing in a staging environment without affecting real users.
- List Hygiene: Mailjet and ZeroBounce provide tools for email validation and cleaning to improve list quality.
Key considerations
- Holistic Approach: Combine multiple testing methods (automated tools, manual checks) for a comprehensive assessment.
- Content and Engagement: Focus on sending wanted mail and maintaining a good sender reputation.
- Testing Regularly: Regularly test and monitor email performance to identify and fix deliverability issues.
- No Single Solution: No single tool guarantees inbox placement, so a multi-faceted approach is necessary.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Email deliverability is dynamic, requiring continuous monitoring and adjustments.
What email marketers say
10 marketer opinions
Various email testing platforms and methods can help determine email quality and inbox placement. Mailtrap allows safe testing in staging environments. GlockApps, Validity (Everest), SendForensics, and Return Path (now Validity) provide inbox placement testing and deliverability monitoring across different ISPs. Mail-Tester helps assess email quality using SPF, DKIM, and spam filter analysis. Manually checking deliverability to major email clients (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) and using seed lists is also beneficial. Mailinator offers disposable email addresses for testing sending functionality. Mailjet, ZeroBounce, provide email validation and deliverability tools to improve email list quality and reduce bounce rates.
Key opinions
- Mailtrap: Ideal for safe email inspection and debugging in staging environments.
- GlockApps & Competitors: Provides inbox placement testing across multiple ISPs.
- Mail-Tester: Assesses email quality with SPF, DKIM, and spam filter analysis.
- Manual Checks: Manually checking deliverability to Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook can be helpful.
- Mailinator: Offers disposable email addresses for testing sending functionality.
- Mailjet & ZeroBounce: Offers email validation to improve email list quality and reduce bounce rates.
Key considerations
- Staging vs Production: Use staging environments for initial testing to avoid impacting real users.
- Multiple Testing Methods: Combine automated testing tools with manual checks for a comprehensive assessment.
- Deliverability Factors: Consider SPF, DKIM, and spam filter analysis when evaluating email quality.
- List Quality: Ensure email lists are clean and validated to improve deliverability.
- Tool Costs: Some tools are paid, factor in the costs when choosing tools.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit shares that using a seed list and checking with multiple email clients is helpful. They suggest manually checking deliverability to Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook, as well as using a tool like GlockApps for more comprehensive testing.
13 Feb 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view
Email marketer from Validity explains that Validity offers email deliverability tools like Everest, which help monitor inbox placement, sender reputation, and engagement metrics. It provides insights into factors affecting deliverability and helps optimize email campaigns.
15 Aug 2024 - Validity
What the experts say
7 expert opinions
Testing email deliverability involves more than just technical checks. While tools like aboutmy.email, GlockApps, MailMonitor, Inbox Monster, and Validity are useful for assessing authentication, compliance, and inbox placement, they don't guarantee inbox delivery. Sending mail that recipients want and maintaining a good sender reputation are crucial. Mailbox providers filter based on more than just technical compliance.
Key opinions
- Technical Checks Aren't Enough: Passing technical checks (SPF, DKIM) doesn't guarantee inbox placement.
- Reputation Matters: Sender reputation and engagement significantly impact deliverability.
- Content Relevance: Sending wanted mail improves deliverability.
- Seed List Testing: Tools like GlockApps, MailMonitor, Inbox Monster and Validity are suggested for monitoring inbox placement.
Key considerations
- Holistic Approach: Focus on both technical setup and content relevance for better deliverability.
- Regular Testing: Run tests regularly and monitor results to identify and fix deliverability issues.
- No Guarantees: Understand that no single test can guarantee inbox placement at scale.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise responds, recommending using a variety of seed list testing tools like GlockApps, MailMonitor, and 250ok (now Validity) to assess inbox placement across different mailbox providers. They suggest running tests regularly and paying attention to the results to identify and fix any deliverability issues.
25 Jan 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares that you can use aboutmy.email to test authentication and compliance with public standards, but email deliverability involves domain reputation and recipient engagement. No test guarantees inbox placement.
18 Dec 2024 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Several platforms offer tools for testing email quality and deliverability. Mailosaur is designed for automated testing, allowing capture and assertion of emails in test environments. Litmus provides email previews across different clients, spam testing, and deliverability monitoring to identify rendering and deliverability issues. SendGrid offers email testing tools, including activity history and deliverability diagnostics. MXToolbox focuses on diagnosing email server issues with blacklist checks, DNS analysis, and SMTP diagnostics.
Key findings
- Mailosaur: Supports automated email testing in test environments.
- Litmus: Offers previews across clients, spam testing, and deliverability monitoring.
- SendGrid: Provides email activity history and deliverability diagnostics.
- MXToolbox: Diagnoses email server issues with blacklist checks and DNS analysis.
Key considerations
- Testing Scope: Each platform offers different testing capabilities, so choose one that aligns with your specific needs.
- Automation: Consider automated testing for continuous integration and delivery pipelines.
- Server Diagnostics: Use server diagnostic tools to identify and resolve underlying infrastructure issues.
- Email Previews: Use email preview testing to check the email looks good accross all clients.
Technical article
Documentation from Litmus shares that Litmus offers email previews across various email clients and devices, as well as spam testing and deliverability monitoring. This allows you to identify rendering issues and deliverability problems before sending to your audience.
30 Aug 2022 - Litmus
Technical article
Documentation from SendGrid explains that SendGrid provides tools for email testing, including email activity history and deliverability diagnostics. It allows you to monitor email performance and identify potential issues affecting deliverability.
17 Dec 2021 - SendGrid
Are inbox placement platforms a good strategy for email deliverability?
How accurate are email spam testing tools and what are the alternatives?
How accurate are seed lists for email deliverability testing?
How accurate are seedlists in deliverability platforms like Everest and Glockapps?
How can I accurately test and measure email deliverability and sender reputation?
How reliable are GlockApps deliverability placement reports and what are the alternatives?
