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Summary

Link redirects, especially those used for click tracking by Email Service Providers (ESPs), are a common practice in email marketing. Their impact on email deliverability and sender reputation is complex. While a single, well-configured redirect typically does not negatively affect deliverability, issues can arise with multiple redirects or if the redirecting or destination domains have poor reputations.

What email marketers say

Email marketers frequently use link redirects for tracking, but their experiences highlight potential pitfalls, particularly concerning recipient trust and deliverability. Many advocate for transparency in linking and emphasize the need for healthy reputations across all domains involved in the redirect path.

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks notes that they previously thought the reputation of the landing page domain did not impact email reputation, but now understand it can. This shift in understanding highlights the ongoing learning curve in email deliverability.

01 Jul 2020 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Marketer from Rebrandly blog suggests that too many suspicious links in an email can trigger spam filters and negatively impact deliverability. This reinforces the idea that link quality, not just quantity, is crucial for inbox placement.

10 Nov 2023 - Rebrandly blog

What the experts say

Deliverability experts largely concur that redirects themselves are not inherently detrimental to email deliverability, especially when handled by reputable providers. The real concerns emerge from questionable redirect practices, excessive redirect chains, or association with domains that have compromised reputations.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks states that links are typically followed to ensure the destination website does not pose a security or fraud risk to recipients. This confirms the proactive stance ISPs take to protect users from malicious content disguised by redirects.

01 Jul 2020 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource indicates that reputation is a complex calculation, and the reputation of linked domains can certainly influence sender reputation. They advise that senders should be mindful of all domains used in their emails, not just the sending domain.

10 Apr 2024 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says

Technical documentation from email service providers and industry bodies consistently stresses the importance of reputable and transparent linking practices. These resources emphasize that robust filtering systems evaluate every aspect of a link, from the initial URL to the final destination, to safeguard recipients and maintain a healthy email ecosystem. Any deviation from best practices can lead to deliverability challenges and a damaged sender reputation.

Technical article

Documentation from Twilio's blog highlights that using email reputation checker tools and understanding sending practices are crucial for improving domain reputation and email deliverability. This implies that link reputation, being a part of sending practices, directly contributes to the overall domain health.

20 Feb 2024 - Twilio Blog

Technical article

HubSpot Community documentation emphasizes that email deliverability is vital for email marketing strategy and that improving sending reputation is a key component. This broad guidance implicitly covers all elements of an email, including links and their redirects, as contributors to reputation.

14 Mar 2023 - HubSpot Community

10 resources

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