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How should I handle machine opens when rebuilding IP/Domain reputation and implementing a suppression approach?

Summary

Successfully handling machine opens when rebuilding IP/Domain reputation and implementing suppression involves a multifaceted approach. Avoid suppressing based solely on NHI image loads, as this excludes legitimate Apple users. Consider machine opens as potential indicators of inbox placement, especially in B2C contexts with Apple MPP. Employ Google Analytics to filter invalid traffic and focus on engagement metrics beyond opens, such as clicks and conversions, for accurate segmentation. Implement sunset policies with variable timeframes depending on business and prioritize website interaction over open data. Use marketing automation to manage engagement and A/B test suppression policies. Robust list hygiene practices and relevant content are crucial for sender reputation. Adhere to SMTP standards. In B2B, recognize machine opens might represent security software. Consider using third-party verification to mitigate bot traffic. The industry is moving away from relying on open rates as a primary metric.

Key findings

  • Avoid NHI Suppression Alone: Suppressing based solely on NHI image loads is not advisable as it may exclude genuine users.
  • Machine Opens as Inbox Signals: Machine opens, especially with privacy proxies like Apple MPP, can indicate inbox placement.
  • Analytics for Invalid Traffic: Google Analytics can filter invalid traffic, providing more accurate engagement data.
  • Focus on Engagement Metrics: Emphasize engagement metrics beyond opens for better segmentation and suppression strategies.
  • Variable Sunset Policies: Sunsetting policies should be tailored to the business and consider website interaction.
  • B2B vs. B2C Context: Machine opens in B2B may signify security software, requiring different handling than in B2C.
  • Industry Shift Away From Open Rates: The email industry is moving away from using open rates as the primary metric.
  • Third-Party Verification: Engaging third-party services can reduce machine open impact by identifying bots.

Key considerations

  • Audience Segmentation: Segment your audience based on engagement behavior, tailoring approaches to active vs. inactive users.
  • Data Interpretation: Interpret open rate data cautiously, factoring in machine opens and privacy-related influences.
  • Testing & Iteration: A/B test suppression strategies and sunsetting timeframes to optimize effectiveness.
  • List Hygiene: Implement robust list hygiene practices, including regular cleaning and verification.
  • Compliance with Standards: Adhere to SMTP standards to ensure optimal email delivery.
  • Re-Engagement: Attempt re-engagement before permanent suppression.
  • Tooling: Utilize third-party tools like Google Analytics and automated marketing systems to manage suppression effectively.

What email marketers say

11 marketer opinions

When rebuilding IP/Domain reputation and implementing a suppression approach, handling machine opens requires a multi-faceted strategy. In B2B contexts, machine opens often represent security software scanning, not genuine user engagement. Filtering Apple MPP data, while potentially accepting Gmail proxies, is also recommended. Instead of solely relying on open rates, focus on engagement metrics like click-through rates, conversions, and time spent reading emails for more accurate user segmentation. Cleaning your audience through segmentation and re-engagement campaigns, implementing sunset policies, and using marketing automation to manage engagement are all essential. Sending relevant content helps avoid spam filters and encourages real user engagement. A/B testing different suppression policies helps determine the optimal approach. Robust list hygiene strategies and potentially leveraging third-party verification services can further improve deliverability and sender reputation.

Key opinions

  • B2B Machine Opens: In B2B environments, machine opens are often due to email security software, not actual user engagement.
  • Apple MPP Filtering: Filtering Apple MPP data is recommended, while Gmail proxies might be acceptable (based on testing).
  • Focus on Engagement: Prioritize engagement metrics such as click-through rates, conversions, and reading time over open rates.
  • Audience Cleaning: Regularly clean your audience through segmentation and re-engagement campaigns to remove unengaged subscribers.
  • Sunset Policies: Implement sunset policies to systematically remove inactive users from your email lists.
  • Automation: Use marketing automation to track engagement and automatically move inactive users to re-engagement or suppression lists.
  • Relevant Content: Focus on sending relevant, engaging content to improve deliverability and increase genuine user engagement.
  • A/B Testing: A/B test different suppression policies to determine the optimal approach for your audience.
  • List Hygiene: Implement strong list hygiene practices, regularly cleaning your email list and suppressing inactive users, to improve your sender reputation.

Key considerations

  • B2B vs. B2C: Consider the context of your audience (B2B vs. B2C) as machine opens can have different meanings.
  • Metric Reliability: Be aware that open rates alone are not reliable indicators of engagement due to machine opens; use them in conjunction with other metrics.
  • Segmentation: Segment your audience based on engagement to target different groups appropriately.
  • Sunset Policy Criteria: Carefully define the criteria for inactivity in your sunset policy, and adjust based on A/B testing.
  • Gradual Approach: Take a gradual approach to suppressing inactive users, giving them opportunities to re-engage before removal.
  • Privacy Changes: Stay updated on privacy changes (like Apple MPP) and adjust your strategies accordingly.
  • Sender Reputation: Always prioritize maintaining a healthy sender reputation to ensure optimal deliverability.
  • Third Party Services: Consider using third-party email verification or scoring services to identify potentially bad data.

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares their conclusion after reviewing Apple MPP and Gmail data and internal data, suggesting that Apple MPP data should be filtered, while Gmail proxies seem acceptable.

25 Oct 2023 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus states monitoring email engagement metrics beyond opens, such as time spent reading emails and click-through rates, provides a more accurate picture of user engagement. They suggest using these metrics to segment your audience and identify users who are genuinely interested in your content.

21 Apr 2022 - Litmus

What the experts say

12 expert opinions

Handling machine opens during IP/Domain reputation rebuilding and suppression involves a nuanced approach. Suppressing based solely on non-human interaction (NHI) image loads can exclude legitimate Apple users. Instead of aggressively suppressing, consider that machine opens often indicate inbox placement, especially in B2C contexts where privacy proxies like Apple MPP are common. Spam traps generally don't fetch images, so that's less of a concern. Further analysis of suspected machine opens is advised, perhaps with re-engagement efforts or reduced send volumes. There isn't a universally optimal sunsetting timeframe; it varies by business. Website interaction should override open data when considering sunsetting. Experts are shifting away from open rates as a primary metric due to machine opens, advocating for click-through rates, conversions, and other engagement indicators. Using third-party verification services can also reduce the impact of machine opens.

Key opinions

  • NHI Suppression Risk: Suppressing emails based solely on NHI image loads can negatively impact deliverability by excluding legitimate Apple users.
  • Inbox Indication: Machine opens often indicate inbox placement, especially with privacy proxies.
  • Spam Trap Behavior: Spam traps typically do not fetch images.
  • Granular Analysis: Further analysis of machine opens should be performed rather than immediate suppression, using re-engagement campaigns or reduced send volumes.
  • Variable Sunsetting: Optimal sunsetting timeframes depend on the specific business and audience.
  • Website Interaction: Website interaction overrides open data in sunsetting decisions.
  • Shift from Open Rates: The industry is moving away from open rates as a reliable metric due to inflation from machine opens.
  • Engagement Metrics: Click-through rates, conversions, and other engagement metrics are more reliable indicators.
  • Third-Party Verification: Third-party verification services can help reduce the impact of machine opens.

Key considerations

  • Apple MPP Impact: Understand how Apple MPP affects your open rate data.
  • Business-Specific Sunsetting: Determine appropriate sunsetting policies based on your unique business model and customer behavior.
  • Re-Engagement Strategies: Implement re-engagement strategies before outright suppression.
  • Multiple Data Points: Consider multiple data points (website interaction, engagement) before suppressing.
  • Metric Interpretation: Interpret open rate data with caution, considering machine opens.
  • Testing Suppression: Test your suppression approach and sunsetting process.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks adds that any website interaction from a user overrides open data when considering sunsetting.

7 Jan 2022 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks says suppressing mail with NHI image loads is not a great idea as it will remove Apple users. Suppressing email without image loads is more reasonable.

6 Oct 2024 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says

4 technical articles

To handle machine opens effectively and rebuild IP/Domain reputation, leveraging tools like Google Analytics to filter invalid traffic provides a clearer view of audience engagement. Tracking engagement metrics beyond opens, such as clicks and conversions, is crucial to distinguish genuine interactions from automated opens, enabling informed suppression decisions. A strong understanding of SMTP standards helps identify and resolve issues contributing to machine opens, ensuring better deliverability. Maintaining a good sender reputation is essential, requiring proactive measures to filter and suppress invalid traffic, including machine opens, ensuring emails reach legitimate recipients.

Key findings

  • Invalid Traffic Filtering: Google Analytics can identify and filter out invalid traffic, providing a more accurate view of audience engagement.
  • Beyond Open Tracking: Tracking engagement metrics beyond opens (clicks, conversions) allows for differentiating between genuine and automated interactions.
  • SMTP Compliance: Understanding and adhering to SMTP standards helps identify and resolve issues leading to machine opens.
  • Sender Reputation Importance: Maintaining a good sender reputation is critical, requiring filtering and suppressing invalid traffic.

Key considerations

  • Google Analytics Implementation: Properly configure Google Analytics to identify and filter out bot traffic effectively.
  • Comprehensive Engagement Tracking: Implement systems to track engagement metrics beyond opens, such as clicks, conversions, and time on site.
  • Technical Expertise: Ensure a solid understanding of SMTP standards and email infrastructure best practices.
  • Proactive Reputation Management: Implement proactive measures to monitor and maintain a positive sender reputation.

Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft shares the importance of maintaining a good sender reputation. Machine opens and other forms of invalid traffic can negatively impact your reputation. Implementing measures to filter and suppress such traffic is essential for ensuring your emails reach the intended recipients.

8 Sep 2023 - Microsoft

Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost explains how to track engagement metrics beyond opens, such as clicks and conversions. Relying on multiple engagement signals can help you differentiate between genuine human interaction and machine opens, allowing you to make more informed decisions about suppression.

16 Mar 2024 - SparkPost

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