Did Gmail allow emails with blank FROM fields in 2018?
Michael Ko
Co-founder & CEO, Suped
Published 15 Jul 2025
Updated 19 Aug 2025
8 min read
It's a common observation among email marketers and deliverability professionals that what was once permissible in email sending can become a strict rejection just a few years later. I've heard questions come up about Gmail's acceptance of emails with blank 'From' fields in 2018. It might seem surprising, but anecdotal evidence suggests that in previous years, some emails with seemingly empty 'From' headers did indeed make it through to Gmail inboxes. This behavior is starkly different from today's landscape, where such emails are often instantly blocked or heavily scrutinized.
The reason for this shift lies in the continuous evolution of email security protocols and spam prevention mechanisms. Mailbox providers like Gmail are constantly refining their filters to combat phishing, spoofing, and other malicious activities. A blank 'From' field, while perhaps an unintentional configuration error in some cases, can also be a red flag for nefarious senders attempting to obscure their identity. Understanding this evolution requires a look at the technical specifications of email headers and how they've been interpreted over time.
When we talk about the 'From' field, it's crucial to distinguish between two main components defined by different RFCs (Request for Comments) that govern email transmission. This distinction helps clarify why some 'blank' fields might have been tolerated, while others were always problematic.
Understanding the 'from' fields in email
To fully grasp the behavior of Gmail (or any mailbox provider) regarding the 'From' field, it's essential to understand the two primary 'From' addresses in an email. These are distinct and serve different purposes, though they are often confused or used interchangeably in casual discussion.
The RFC 5321 'Mail From' (or Envelope From) is the address used during the SMTP conversation, essentially telling the receiving server who sent the message. It's also known as the Return-Path, and it's where bounce messages are sent if delivery fails. A null return path (an empty RFC 5321 'Mail From') is actually a legitimate and common practice for certain automated messages, such as bounce notifications or DMARC aggregate reports, to prevent bounce loops.
In contrast, the RFC 5322 'Header From' is what users typically see in their email client: the sender's display name and email address. This field is crucial for user identification and trust. For legitimate marketing or transactional emails, a blank RFC 5322 'Header From' is a significant issue. It severely impacts email deliverability and could indicate a misconfiguration or an attempt to obscure the sender's identity.
RFC 5321 'Mail From'
Purpose: Used by SMTP servers for mail routing and bounce handling.
Visibility: Not typically seen by end-users unless they view raw message headers.
Blank state: A null Return-Path (<>) is valid for automated responses.
RFC 5322 'Header From'
Purpose: Defines the sender's address shown in the recipient's email client.
Visibility: The primary 'From' address seen by the user.
Blank state: A blank or malformed 'Header From' is generally considered invalid and problematic.
Gmail's historical behavior and evolving standards
The observation that Gmail might have allowed emails with blank 'From' fields (specifically the RFC 5322 Header From) in 2018 suggests a period of transition in their filtering. In the earlier days of email, spam filters were less sophisticated. They primarily relied on content analysis and basic sender reputation. A blank 'From' field, while unusual, might not have immediately triggered a blocklist (or blacklist) action if other indicators seemed benign, or if the sending IP had a strong reputation.
However, as spam and phishing attacks grew more sophisticated, mailbox providers like Gmail significantly tightened their DMARC, SPF, and DKIM authentication requirements. They began to rigorously enforce RFC standards, especially concerning sender identification. A blank 'From' header makes it nearly impossible for legitimate email authentication protocols to function correctly, hindering sender verification.
The shift away from tolerating blank 'From' fields highlights Gmail's ongoing commitment to protecting its users. While it might have slipped through in 2018 due to less stringent checks, the system quickly evolved to prioritize clear sender identification as a key trust signal. This evolution is also visible in other areas, such as when Gmail shows the RFC 5322 'From' email address instead of the 'Friendly From' name, typically signaling a potential trust issue.
Why a blank 'from' field is problematic
From a deliverability standpoint, a blank RFC 5322 'Header From' is a critical error today. It's not merely a formatting glitch, but a signal that something is fundamentally wrong with the email's construction. Most modern mailbox providers, including Gmail, will simply reject or quarantine such messages because they cannot ascertain the legitimate sender.
The absence of a 'From' header creates a void in sender identity, which is a prime indicator for spam and phishing attempts. Mailbox providers rely heavily on the 'From' field to display clear sender information to users and to perform necessary authentication checks. Without it, the email is anonymous, making it impossible to establish trust or apply DMARC, DKIM, or SPF policies for authenticating the sender's identity.
Additionally, a missing 'From' field violates fundamental RFC 5322 specifications, which outline the standard format for internet email messages. While older systems might have been more lenient, current standards demand strict adherence. Failing to include a valid 'From' header means the email is malformed, leading to immediate rejection. This is a common cause for emails bouncing with RFC 5322 compliance errors.
The impact of a blank 'from' field today
Deliverability: Emails are almost guaranteed to be rejected or sent to spam.
Trust and reputation: Damages sender reputation as it signals suspicious activity.
Authentication: Prevents proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alignment, leading to authentication failures.
User experience: Recipients cannot identify the sender, leading to confusion and distrust.
Current expectations for 'from' field formatting
For reliable email delivery today, the RFC 5322 'Header From' field must always contain a valid, properly formatted email address and, ideally, a friendly display name. This adherence ensures that mailbox providers can correctly identify the sender and apply relevant reputation and authentication checks. For instance, the friendly name associated with your 'From' address is crucial for recipient recognition and trust. If you're experiencing deliverability issues because Gmail isn't displaying your friendly name, it often points to underlying authentication problems that need to be addressed.
The proper format involves both a display name (optional but recommended) and an email address enclosed in angle brackets. This format aligns with what RFC 5322 specifies and what mailbox providers expect for legitimate email. Maintaining a consistent and valid 'From' field is a cornerstone of good email deliverability and essential for avoiding blocklists (or blacklists).
Example of a properly formatted 'From' headerplain
From: "Your Company Name" <info@yourcompany.com>
Ensuring proper formatting according to RFC 5322 for Gmail sender guidelines is critical. Any deviation, such as a missing or malformed 'From' address, can lead to your emails being flagged as spam or outright rejected. This is why thorough testing of your email campaigns is essential before deployment to catch any such issues.
Ensuring valid sender information
My observation is that Gmail probably did allow emails with blank RFC 5322 'Header From' fields in 2017/2018, possibly as an oversight or because their filtering was not as stringent as it is today. However, this leniency is long gone. Modern email sending requires strict adherence to RFC standards and robust email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to ensure deliverability.
If you're still encountering issues like blank emails or unexpected rejections, it's crucial to check your email sending configurations, especially the 'From' header, and ensure it aligns with current best practices. Regularly monitoring your deliverability and understanding mailbox provider guidelines will help maintain a strong sender reputation and ensure your messages reach the inbox.
The landscape of email deliverability is constantly changing. What worked yesterday may not work today, especially with major providers like Gmail continually updating their spam filters and security measures. Staying informed about these changes, such as how RFC 5322 compliance affects deliverability, is paramount for consistent inbox placement.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Always ensure your RFC 5322 Header From field contains a valid, well-formatted email address and display name.
Implement and correctly configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate your sender identity.
Regularly monitor your email logs for bounce messages and rejections to identify and resolve issues promptly.
Common pitfalls
Using dynamic fields for the 'From' address without proper fallback, leading to blank or malformed headers.
Not distinguishing between RFC 5321 (Mail From) and RFC 5322 (Header From) in sending configurations.
Neglecting to update email sending practices in response to evolving mailbox provider guidelines.
Expert tips
Validate all 'From' addresses before sending large campaigns, especially when merging data into templates.
Set up a DMARC 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject' policy once DMARC reporting shows good alignment.
Consider how changes to the 'From' name only might affect spam placement and user perception.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says they noticed that some emails from 2017-2018 in an old seed account had blank From fields, but now they are instantly blocked by Gmail, suggesting a recent update to their filtering rules.
2019-09-11 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says the blank From fields occurred because the emails were designed to merge account representative names and emails, but these specific seed accounts lacked that data.
