Summary
Including a bra size grid with multiple links in marketing emails may not inherently harm deliverability, but it can trigger spam filters if other factors are problematic. Experts and documentation sources recommend focusing on personalization (sending relevant sizes), maintaining good sender reputation, ensuring clean HTML and properly formatted links, and A/B testing the grid approach against personalized methods. Minimizing link tracking, proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), content relevance, and consistent sending practices are also crucial for optimizing deliverability.
Key findings
- Link Count & Deliverability: A high number of links alone may not directly hurt deliverability but amplifies existing issues.
- Personalization Boosts Deliverability: Personalizing emails with relevant sizes enhances engagement and reduces spam risk.
- Good Sender Reputation Matters: A positive sender reputation is crucial for avoiding spam filters.
- Technical SEO is Important: Clean HTML, valid links, and proper formatting contribute to better deliverability.
- Email Authentication is a Priority: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential for establishing sender legitimacy.
Key considerations
- Prioritize Personalization: Send recipients links to their known size or compatible alternatives.
- A/B Test Strategies: Compare the performance of the bra size grid against personalized emails via A/B testing.
- Maintain Email List Hygiene: Only send to contacts who will engage with the content.
- Authenticate your Email: Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records correctly.
- Check Content Regularly: Keep links and content up-to-date.
What email marketers say
10 marketer opinions
Including a bra size grid with multiple links in marketing emails can affect deliverability, primarily by triggering spam filters if other factors are problematic. While the number of links isn't inherently detrimental, it exacerbates issues when combined with poor sender reputation, low engagement, irrelevant content, or broken HTML. A balanced approach, focusing on content quality, personalization, and sender reputation, is crucial. Segmentation, valid HTML, trustworthy links, and A/B testing are recommended for optimization.
Key opinions
- Link Count & Spam Filters: High number of links can trigger spam filters, especially if the email has other issues.
- Sender Reputation: Poor sender reputation amplifies deliverability problems caused by numerous links.
- Content Relevance: Irrelevant or generic content increases the risk of being flagged as spam.
- Personalization: Personalized emails with relevant content tend to perform better and are less likely to be marked as spam.
- Technical Aspects: Broken HTML, invalid links, or links to untrustworthy sites negatively impact deliverability.
Key considerations
- Content Quality: Ensure high-quality, relevant content that engages recipients.
- Segmentation: Segment your audience to send targeted emails with relevant sizing information.
- Sender Reputation Management: Maintain a good sender reputation through consistent sending practices and recipient engagement.
- HTML & Link Validation: Use valid HTML, avoid broken links, and link to reputable websites.
- A/B Testing: A/B test the bra size grid against personalized approaches to optimize performance.
- Balanced Approach: Use a balance of text and images with a reasonable number of links.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Sendinblue shares that complex email designs with many links and images can increase the likelihood of being flagged as spam. They advise using a balanced approach, optimizing images, and ensuring links are relevant and trustworthy.
28 Nov 2021 - Sendinblue
Marketer view
Email marketer from HubSpot explains that spam filters assess multiple factors, including the number of links, the reputation of those links, and the overall content of the email. Using URL shorteners or linking to untrustworthy sites can be detrimental.
17 Dec 2024 - HubSpot
What the experts say
6 expert opinions
While a bra size grid doesn't automatically cause deliverability issues, sending emails with a high number of links can be problematic. Experts recommend personalizing emails with the recipient's size or compatible sizes and suggest A/B testing the grid versus a personalized approach. Link tracking should be minimized, and proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial. Sender reputation, consistent volume, and content relevance also play significant roles in avoiding spam filters.
Key opinions
- Link Volume Impact: A high number of links in an email can trigger spam filters.
- Personalization Benefits: Personalizing emails with size-specific or compatible links improves deliverability.
- Testing Recommendation: A/B testing the grid approach against personalized emails is advised.
- Authentication Importance: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential for sender legitimacy.
- Sender Reputation: Sender reputation and consistent email volume are critical factors.
Key considerations
- Personalized Sending: Prioritize sending links relevant to the recipient's size.
- A/B Testing Implementation: Set up A/B tests to compare grid performance against personalized approaches.
- Link Tracking Optimization: Minimize excessive link tracking and redirects.
- Authentication Setup: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured.
- Reputation Management: Focus on maintaining a positive sender reputation.
- Content Relevance: Ensure email content is relevant to the recipient
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks states that having a grid of links will not, in itself, cause delivery issues. However, sending emails with a high number of links ('what the fresh hells is this' level) could be problematic.
11 Apr 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggests testing the grid versus no grid. They also agrees with Laura about sending the customer's size if known, maybe +/- a couple sizes.
29 Jun 2021 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Email deliverability is affected by the number and nature of links included in marketing emails. Documentation from Google, Microsoft, RFC, and Yahoo all suggest that a high number of links, especially to different or low-reputation domains, can trigger spam filters. Proper email structure, clean HTML coding, and up-to-date, relevant content are crucial. Following email standards and avoiding spam-like characteristics are also recommended.
Key findings
- High Link Count = Spam Risk: A high number of links, especially to different or questionable domains, increases the risk of being flagged as spam.
- Importance of Clean Code: Clean HTML and proper email structure positively impact deliverability.
- Content Relevance is Key: Relevant and up-to-date content is crucial for avoiding spam filters.
- Standards Matter: Adhering to email standards helps maintain deliverability.
Key considerations
- Limit Link Quantity: Keep the number of links reasonable and relevant.
- Validate Link Destinations: Ensure all links point to reputable and up-to-date domains.
- Use Clean HTML: Use clean and valid HTML code to format emails.
- Maintain Relevant Content: Provide content that is relevant and engaging to the recipient.
- Monitor Feedback Loops: Monitor feedback loops and adjust sending practices accordingly.
Technical article
Documentation from RFC suggests that the content of emails should be carefully considered and avoid spam-like characterestics. Including too many URLs might be seen as attempts at redirection. Following correct standards helps.
3 Jun 2025 - RFC-Editor
Technical article
Documentation from Yahoo suggest to keep the number of links reasonable. It suggests keeping content relevant and clean, and ensuring links are up-to-date.
20 Nov 2022 - Yahoo
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