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Which Gmail Postmaster Tools dashboard, old or new, should be trusted for spam rate data?
Summary
The overwhelming consensus from email marketers, documentation, and experts is that the new Gmail Postmaster Tools dashboard should be trusted more than the old one for spam rate data. The new dashboard provides more granular insights, detailed overviews of email performance, enhanced features, and reflects the current state of email deliverability and spam rates. Google is deprecating the old dashboard, making the new one the only viable option. Although some marketers found the old dashboard updated faster, the new dashboard's accuracy, improved data processing, alignment with current spam policies, and better insights into email deliverability make it the preferred choice.

Key findings

  • Accuracy: The new dashboard offers a more accurate representation of spam rates due to enhanced features and metrics.
  • Granularity: The new dashboard provides more granular insights and detailed overviews of email performance compared to the old one.
  • Up-to-date Information: The new dashboard contains the most current data on spam rates and deliverability.
  • Deprecation: Google is deprecating the old dashboard.
  • Improved Processing: The new dashboard utilizes updated data processing and reporting mechanisms.
  • Alignment: The new dashboard aligns with current spam policies and email authentication algorithms.

Key considerations

  • Monitoring Both (Historically): Some marketers recommend keeping an eye on the old dashboard for quick updates, but relying on the new dashboard for more accurate data (this may no longer be relevant due to deprecation).
  • Data Differences (Historically): Initially, there were significant differences between the old and new dashboards, but they were becoming more aligned over time (this may no longer be relevant due to deprecation).
What email marketers say
13 marketer opinions
The consensus among email marketers and documentation suggests that the new Gmail Postmaster Tools dashboard should be trusted more than the old one for spam rate data. The new dashboard provides more granular insights, detailed overviews of email performance, enhanced features, and reflects the current state of email deliverability and spam rates. Some marketers still monitor the old dashboard for quick updates, but primarily rely on the new dashboard for accuracy. As the old dashboard is planned for deprecation it is best to use the new one.

Key opinions

  • Accuracy: The new dashboard offers a more accurate representation of spam rates due to enhanced features and metrics.
  • Granularity: The new dashboard provides more granular insights and detailed overviews of email performance compared to the old one.
  • Updates: While the old dashboard might update faster, the new dashboard is considered more reliable for long-term monitoring.
  • Deprecation: Google is deprecating the old dashboard.

Key considerations

  • Monitoring Both: Some marketers recommend keeping an eye on the old dashboard for quick updates, but relying on the new dashboard for more accurate data.
  • Data Differences: Initially, there were significant differences between the old and new dashboards, but they are becoming more aligned over time.
  • Integration: The new dashboard integrates better with current Gmail spam filtering methodologies, making it a more trustworthy source.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email on Acid suggests that the new dashboard includes enhanced features and metrics, offering a more comprehensive view of spam rates and deliverability performance.
17 Jul 2022 - Email on Acid
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says they have been using the new one but check the old one to compare results.
15 Mar 2023 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Experts agree that the new Gmail Postmaster Tools dashboard should be trusted more for spam rate data because it offers up-to-date insights into email health, more granular data, and better insights into email deliverability. The old dashboard will eventually be deprecated, making the new dashboard the more reliable and forward-looking choice.

Key opinions

  • Up-to-date Insights: The new dashboard provides the most current insights into email health.
  • Granular Data: The new dashboard offers more detailed data compared to the old one.
  • Deliverability Insights: The new dashboard gives better insights into email deliverability.
  • Future Deprecation: The old dashboard is slated for deprecation, making the new one the only viable option.

Key considerations

Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise states the new Postmaster Tools dashboard is the better choice because it provides more granular data and better insights into email deliverability.
4 Feb 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource emphasizes focusing on the new Postmaster Tools dashboard for up-to-date insights into your email health, because Google will eventually deprecate the old one.
2 Apr 2023 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
Documentation from Google, Microsoft, SparkPost and Postmark consistently recommends using the new Gmail Postmaster Tools dashboard for spam rate data. This is because the old dashboard is being deprecated, and the new dashboard provides more accurate, up-to-date information, better data processing, aligns with current spam policies and has improved email authentication and spam detection algorithms.

Key findings

  • Deprecation: The old Postmaster Tools dashboard is being deprecated.
  • Accuracy: The new dashboard provides more accurate information.
  • Up-to-date: The new dashboard contains the most current data on spam rates and deliverability.
  • Improved Processing: The new dashboard utilizes updated data processing and reporting mechanisms.
  • Alignment: The new dashboard aligns with current spam policies and email authentication algorithms.

Key considerations

Technical article
Documentation from Google Support indicates that the new Postmaster Tools dashboard should be used for the most accurate and up-to-date information on spam rates and email deliverability.
17 Dec 2023 - Google Support
Technical article
Documentation from Google Workspace Updates announces the deprecation of the old Postmaster Tools dashboard, which indicates the new dashboard should be trusted.
18 Jan 2025 - Google Workspace Updates
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