Summary
Gmail delivery delays when using a Coherent Path template are multifaceted, stemming from template content issues flagged by spam filters, problems within the Email Service Provider (ESP), low sender reputation, and various technical factors. These technical factors include routing problems within Google's infrastructure, greylisting, DNS issues, server load, SMTP errors, and incorrect email authentication. Sending speed, IP/domain warmup, and detailed header analysis are also crucial considerations for diagnosing and resolving these delays.
Key findings
- Template Issues: The Coherent Path template may contain elements that trigger spam filters, causing delays. This could be due to code structure, high image sizes, or specific keywords.
- ESP Problems: The ESP could be the source of delays, potentially due to internal processing or configuration issues before the message reaches Gmail.
- Sender Reputation: Low sender reputation (due to spam complaints, blacklisting, or low engagement) can lead to delays or messages being sent to spam.
- Technical Factors: DNS problems, Google's routing and filtering processes, server load, greylisting, and SMTP errors can all contribute to delivery delays.
- Authentication: Incorrect or missing email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) can negatively impact deliverability and lead to delays.
- Sending Volume: Sending emails too quickly, particularly to Gmail, can trigger delays. A gradual IP/domain warmup process is crucial for new senders.
Key considerations
- Template Testing: Experiment with different templates, including simplified versions, to identify whether the Coherent Path template is the primary cause.
- ESP Investigation: Work with the ESP to investigate and resolve any internal issues affecting delivery speed.
- Reputation Management: Actively monitor sender reputation and address any negative impacts promptly.
- Header Analysis: Examine email headers to pinpoint where delays are occurring (sender, intermediary server, or recipient) to identify specific bottlenecks.
- DNS Configuration: Ensure proper DNS configuration, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
- Sending Practices: Adjust sending speed, warm up new IPs/domains, and comply with email best practices to optimize deliverability.
What email marketers say
10 marketer opinions
Gmail delivery delays when using a Coherent Path template can stem from a variety of factors. Issues range from sender reputation problems (low reputation, being blacklisted) to content-related triggers (spam filter flags within the template, high image sizes). Technical factors like DNS issues, server load, greylisting, and incorrect email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) also play a role. Finally, sending speed and new IP/domain warmup are important considerations, especially for bulk senders.
Key opinions
- Sender Reputation: A low sender reputation can cause Gmail to delay or filter emails. Check your IP and domain reputation and ensure you're not blacklisted.
- Content Issues: Spam filters may flag specific content within the Coherent Path template. Try simplifying the template or A/B testing different versions to isolate problematic elements. High image sizes can also contribute to delays.
- Authentication: Incorrect or missing SPF, DKIM, or DMARC records can impact deliverability and cause delays. Ensure proper email authentication.
- Technical Factors: DNS issues, server load (sender or recipient), and greylisting can contribute to delays. Investigate server status, DNS configurations, and potential greylisting issues.
- Sending Practices: Sending speed and IP/domain warmup can affect Gmail delivery. Throttling sending speed, especially to Gmail, and gradually warming up new IPs/domains are recommended.
Key considerations
- Template Experimentation: Try sending a test email with a drastically simplified template, or even a plain text email, to see if the template itself is the cause of the delay.
- Monitor Reputation: Regularly monitor your sender reputation using tools like MXToolbox and take corrective actions if problems are identified.
- Review Sending Practices: Ensure your sending practices comply with email best practices and anti-spam regulations. Avoid sending to unengaged recipients.
- Check DNS Configuration: Verify that your DNS records are correctly configured, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Slow DNS lookups can cause delays.
- Investigate Server Logs: Examine your mail server logs and Gmail's email headers to identify any specific error messages or bottlenecks causing the delay.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Gmass suggests throttling your sending speed, particularly when sending to Gmail. Gmail may delay messages from senders sending large volumes too quickly.
18 Mar 2022 - Gmass
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit explains that Gmail delivery issues are sometimes related to specific content triggers within your templates. Try A/B testing your email with different content to see if you can isolate what's causing the delay.
30 Sep 2022 - Reddit
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
Gmail delivery delays when using a Coherent Path template could be due to Google disliking the template's content after inspecting it (failing after DATA), a delay occurring within the Email Service Provider (ESP) before Gmail receives the email, or sender reputation issues. Analyzing message headers is essential for pinpointing the source of the delay.
Key opinions
- Template Content: Google might delay messages if it doesn't like the content of the Coherent Path template after analyzing it.
- ESP Delay: The Email Service Provider (ESP) could be the source of the delay before the message reaches Gmail.
- Sender Reputation: A poor sender reputation can cause Gmail to delay or filter emails. Monitor your reputation and take steps to improve it.
- Header Analysis: Message headers provide timestamps indicating processing times at each server hop, helping to identify the source of the delay (sender, intermediary, or recipient).
Key considerations
- Template Review: Carefully review the content of the Coherent Path template for potential issues that might trigger spam filters.
- ESP Investigation: Investigate the ESP for any internal delays or configuration problems affecting delivery speed.
- Reputation Monitoring: Continuously monitor sender reputation and address any negative impacts promptly.
- Header Examination: Use the message header to pinpoint the exact location where the delay is occurring. This helps narrow down the source of the problem.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource, Laura Atkins, explains that sender reputation significantly impacts delivery speed. If your domain or IP has a poor reputation due to past spam complaints or blacklisting, Gmail might delay your emails or send them to the spam folder. Monitor your reputation and take steps to improve it if necessary.
29 Aug 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise suggests using the message header to diagnose delays. The 'Received:' lines in the header provide timestamps that show how long each server took to process the email. This allows pinpointing where the delay occurred (sender, intermediary, or recipient server).
29 Apr 2023 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
Gmail delivery delays can stem from several technical factors. Google identifies routing issues, filtering processes, and transient server problems as potential causes. Greylisting, a technique where unfamiliar senders are temporarily rejected, can also introduce delays. Tools like MXToolbox can help identify SMTP errors or other server configuration problems that might be causing delivery issues.
Key findings
- Google Infrastructure: Gmail delays can be due to routing issues, filtering, or temporary server problems within Google's infrastructure.
- Greylisting: Greylisting, where emails from unknown senders are temporarily rejected, can cause delays.
- SMTP Errors: SMTP errors or other server configuration problems can contribute to email delivery delays.
Key considerations
- Google Status Dashboard: Check the Google Workspace Status Dashboard for any reported incidents that might be affecting Gmail delivery.
- Header Analysis: Investigate email headers to trace the path of the email and identify bottlenecks.
- Server Retries: Understand that legitimate servers will retry sending emails after greylisting delays.
- MXToolbox Use: Use MXToolbox to check for SMTP errors and server configuration problems that might be causing delays.
Technical article
Documentation from RFC-Editor explains that greylisting is a method of temporarily rejecting an email from an unknown sender. A legitimate server will, according to specification, try again after a delay. A spammer will, usually, give up after the first try, since they will often be sending out many emails and cannot afford to wait. This can cause delays.
12 May 2023 - RFC-Editor
Technical article
Documentation from MXToolbox explains that using their tools, one can check for SMTP errors or other issues that might indicate problems with the mail server software or configurations. These errors can result in delivery delays.
15 Nov 2022 - MXToolbox
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