Summary
Emails from a .is (Icelandic) domain using Gsuite may land in spam despite proper authentication for several reasons: potential domain/IP reputation issues, particularly due to the TLD being newer or less common; content triggering spam filters; incorrect Gsuite configurations, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings and domain verification; DMARC policy problems; low engagement rates; a blacklisted IP address; a lack of feedback loop monitoring; a missing PTR record; Gsuite's internal reputation; and cached reputation data from Gsuite. Ensuring correct authentication, a good sending reputation, optimized content, proper Gsuite configuration, careful DMARC management, list hygiene, feedback loop monitoring, a valid PTR record, contacting Gsuite support, and a good Gsuite internal reputation are critical.
Key findings
- TLD Scrutiny: Newer or less common TLDs, like .is, can face increased scrutiny from spam filters due to a lack of established reputation.
- Authentication Issues: Even with authentication set up, there may be configuration errors or incomplete implementations.
- Content Problems: The email content itself might be triggering spam filters because of certain words or formatting.
- Reputation Management: Both domain and IP reputation are crucial for deliverability, regardless of authentication status.
- GSuite Configuration: Incorrect GSuite settings, domain verification, and internal reputation scores impact deliverability.
- Engagement Matters: Low engagement rates (e.g., not opening or marking as 'not spam') negatively impact deliverability.
- DMARC Impact: Improper DMARC settings can lead to emails being rejected or sent to spam.
- PTR Record Importance: A missing or incorrect PTR record can raise flags with receiving mail servers.
Key considerations
- Verify Authentication: Double-check SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings in Gsuite and DNS records.
- Check Domain/IP Reputation: Use online tools to check the reputation of the domain and sending IP address.
- Content Optimization: Review email content, avoiding spam trigger words and ensuring proper formatting.
- GSuite Review: Ensure the domain is properly verified within GSuite and that all necessary settings are correctly configured.
- Engagement Strategy: Implement strategies to improve email engagement, such as cleaning email lists and encouraging recipients to mark emails as 'not spam'.
- DMARC Policy: Carefully configure and monitor DMARC policy, ensuring alignment with SPF and DKIM.
- PTR Record Check: Confirm that a valid PTR record is in place for the sending IP address.
- Contact GSuite Support: Reach out to Google Workspace support to investigate domain reputation within their system and request a review.
- Feedback Loops: Sign up for feedback loops with major ISPs to monitor spam complaints.
- Warm-up Gradually: If the domain is new, gradually warm up the domain.
- Check GSuite Associations: Determine if the Icelandic domain is the only domain associated with the G-Suite account.
What email marketers say
11 marketer opinions
Emails from a .is (Icelandic) domain using Gsuite may land in spam despite proper authentication due to several factors. These include: domain and IP reputation issues (especially for newer TLDs), content triggering spam filters, incorrect Gsuite settings or domain verification, DMARC policy misconfiguration, low engagement rates, lack of feedback loop monitoring, missing PTR records, and Gsuite's internal reputation system. It's important to check authentication, review domain and IP reputation, optimize email content, configure Gsuite correctly, manage DMARC, maintain list hygiene, monitor feedback loops, and ensure a valid PTR record.
Key opinions
- Reputation: Domain and IP reputation significantly impact deliverability, especially for newer TLDs or if previously associated with spam.
- Authentication: While SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are essential, incorrect configuration or incomplete implementation can still lead to deliverability issues.
- Content: Email content, including spam trigger words and formatting, can cause emails to be flagged as spam.
- Engagement: Low engagement rates negatively affect deliverability; maintaining a clean and engaged email list is crucial.
- GSuite Configuration: Incorrect GSuite settings, domain verification, and internal reputation can impact email deliverability.
- PTR Records: Missing or incorrect PTR records can raise suspicion with receiving mail servers.
Key considerations
- Check Reputation: Use online tools to assess domain and IP reputation, especially for newer TLDs like .is.
- Review Authentication: Verify SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings are correctly configured in Gsuite and DNS records.
- Optimize Content: Avoid spam trigger words, ensure proper formatting, and test email content with spam checkers.
- Manage DMARC: Review and adjust DMARC policies, ensuring proper alignment with SPF and DKIM.
- Clean Email List: Regularly remove inactive subscribers and encourage recipients to mark emails as 'not spam'.
- Monitor Feedback Loops: Sign up for feedback loops with major ISPs to gain insights into spam complaints.
- Verify PTR Record: Ensure a valid PTR record exists for the sending IP address, mapping it to a domain name.
- Contact GSuite Support: Contact Google Workspace support to inquire about the domain's reputation within their systems and request a review.
- Warm Up: Warm up the domain slowly.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Marketing Tips Blog explains that low engagement rates can negatively impact deliverability. They recommend regularly cleaning email lists to remove inactive subscribers and encouraging recipients to mark emails as 'not spam'.
11 Aug 2024 - Email Marketing Tips Blog
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mail Authentication Blog explains that having a valid PTR (Reverse DNS) record for the sending IP address can improve email deliverability. A PTR record maps an IP address to a domain name, and its absence can raise suspicion with receiving mail servers.
26 Sep 2024 - Mail Authentication Blog
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
Emails from a .is (Icelandic) domain using Gsuite may land in spam despite proper authentication due to the following reasons. It may be related to the association of the Icelandic domain to the G-Suite account. Newer or less common TLDs like .is might face increased scrutiny initially due to lack of established reputation. Also GSuite may be caching old reputation data related to the domain. Building a positive sending reputation and contacting Google Workspace support may resolve this.
Key opinions
- TLD Reputation: Newer or less common TLDs might face initial scrutiny due to a lack of established reputation.
- GSuite Account Association: Whether the Icelandic domain is the only one associated with the G-Suite account could be a factor.
- Cached Reputation: GSuite may be caching old reputation data, especially if the domain was previously used for less reputable activity.
Key considerations
- Check GSuite Association: Determine if the Icelandic domain is the only domain associated with the G-Suite account.
- Build Reputation: Focus on building a positive sending reputation for the .is domain.
- Contact GSuite Support: Contact Google Workspace support to inquire about the domain's reputation within their systems and request a review.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise (Laura Atkins) responds that GSuite may be caching old reputation data related to the domain, especially if it was previously used for less reputable activity. She recommends contacting Google Workspace support to inquire about the domain's reputation within their systems and requesting a review.
8 Jul 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource (John Levine) explains that while a TLD itself isn't typically a direct cause for spam filtering, newer or less common TLDs like .is might face increased scrutiny initially due to lack of established reputation. He suggests focusing on building a positive sending reputation and ensuring proper authentication.
25 Jul 2023 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
Emails from a .is (Icelandic) domain using Gsuite might land in spam despite proper authentication due to issues with email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), inconsistent sending IP addresses, high spam rates, poor sender reputation, and/or exceeding GSuite sending limits. Correct implementation and monitoring of these protocols, maintaining a good sender reputation, and adhering to GSuite limits are crucial for email deliverability.
Key findings
- Authentication Protocols: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are essential for preventing email spoofing and ensuring message integrity, but incorrect implementation leads to deliverability problems.
- Sender Reputation: A good sender reputation is crucial; low spam rates and consistent sending IP addresses contribute to this.
- GSuite Limits: Exceeding GSuite sending limits or engaging in unusual activity can trigger deliverability issues.
Key considerations
- Implement SPF: Correctly configure SPF records to specify authorized mail servers for the domain.
- Implement DKIM: Enable DKIM to add digital signatures to outgoing emails, verifying message integrity.
- Implement DMARC: Implement and monitor DMARC records to control how unauthorized email is handled and enhance deliverability reporting.
- Maintain Low Spam Rates: Monitor and reduce spam rates to maintain a good sender reputation.
- Use Consistent Sending IP: Use a consistent sending IP address to establish trust with receiving mail servers.
- Check GSuite Limits: Ensure you are within GSuite sending limits and are not triggering any unusual activity flags.
- Troubleshoot Deliverability: Utilize GSuite Admin Support resources to troubleshoot specific deliverability issues.
Technical article
Documentation from DMARC details that DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) is an email authentication protocol that builds on SPF and DKIM to provide domain owners with control over how email receivers handle unauthorized email. Implement and monitor DMARC records to enhance deliverability.
1 Mar 2023 - DMARC
Technical article
Documentation from DKIM details that DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to outgoing emails, which can be verified by receiving mail servers. This helps ensure that the email has not been tampered with during transit and can improve deliverability.
2 Aug 2022 - DKIM
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