A dropping Gmail domain reputation from confirmation emails is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors. Key causes include subscription bombing, low engagement, content triggering spam filters, poor list hygiene, and inadequate email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Sending unwanted mail, high bounce rates, and the segregation of transactional email, especially COI emails, can also negatively impact reputation. Solutions involve implementing robust signup protections (CAPTCHAs, hidden fields, confirmed opt-in), maintaining thorough audit trails, warming up IP addresses, segmenting email lists, consistently sending valuable content, monitoring feedback loops with Google Postmaster Tools, and focusing on delivering relevant and wanted mail.
11 marketer opinions
Several factors contribute to a dropping Gmail domain reputation due to confirmation emails. These include low engagement, content triggering spam filters, poor list hygiene, and lack of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). High spam complaint rates, bounces, and the possibility of list bombing (where spammers sign up many addresses) also negatively impact reputation. Solutions involve implementing CAPTCHAs and hidden fields, warming up IP addresses, segmenting email lists, monitoring Google Postmaster Tools, personalizing emails, and separating transactional from marketing email reputations.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Klenty says to check your domain against blocklists, fix your DNS records and look at your engagement data (opens, clicks etc). High unsubscribe/spam rates are bad and it might be time to remove unengaged recipients.
3 Aug 2023 - Klenty
Marketer view
Email marketer from StackExchange says that confirmation emails may land in spam due to content triggers or missing authentication. Ensuring proper SPF and DKIM records, along with providing clear unsubscribe options, can help improve deliverability. Also, consider the frequency and relevance of the confirmation emails to avoid being flagged as spam.
13 Oct 2024 - StackExchange
11 expert opinions
A dropping Gmail domain reputation from confirmation emails is often due to issues like subscription bombing, poor email deliverability related to transactional mail segregation, and insufficient traffic to establish a clean subdomain reputation. Experts recommend maintaining audit trails, using COI infrastructure and CAPTCHAs to prevent fraudulent signups, and reviewing signup sources and IP addresses to mitigate list bombing. The lack of good reputation due to low volume with new IPs/domains can also lead to throttling or spam placement, and simply segregating transactional mail may do more harm than good to your over all domain reputation.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains you shouldn't send a huge amount of volume when starting out with a new IP and domain because you don't have a reputation and Gmail doesn't know you. If you are doing this, Gmail will throttle you or send you to spam.
4 Apr 2025 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that confirmation emails are often targets of list bombing, where spammers sign up many addresses to a list. If you send confirmation emails to these addresses, and some are spam traps or complain, it will hurt your sending reputation. He recommends reviewing sign up sources and IP addresses to reduce this.
27 May 2022 - Spam Resource
4 technical articles
Gmail domain reputation drops due to low sender reputation, which is influenced by spam complaints, sending unwanted mail, poor authentication practices, high bounce rates, and poor list hygiene. Implementing proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial to verify your domain and prevent malicious actors from sending messages on your behalf. Regular list cleaning, implementing confirmed opt-in (COI), and reducing spam rates also help improve domain reputation and deliverability. Properly implemented DMARC will protect against email spoofing and phishing attacks.
Technical article
Documentation from SparkPost explains that domain reputation is a critical factor in email deliverability. Issues arise from high bounce rates, spam complaints, and poor list hygiene. Solutions include implementing confirmed opt-in (COI), regularly cleaning the email list, and ensuring emails are properly authenticated to avoid being flagged as spam.
24 Aug 2022 - SparkPost Documentation
Technical article
Documentation from RFC-Editor explains that SPF records allow you to authorize specific servers to send emails on behalf of your domain. SPF records assist in helping prevent malicious actors from sending messages on your behalf.
21 Dec 2022 - RFC-Editor
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