Summary
Error messages when accessing links in emails can stem from a wide array of issues, including problems with URL validity, security measures enacted by email providers or local software, reputation concerns related to the linked domain or IP address, and configuration errors in email marketing setups. Specific causes range from broken or invalid URLs, Cloudflare blocking suspicious IPs, email client security scans, and blacklisted domains to encoding issues, incorrect tracking parameters, and website changes. Resolving these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, including thorough link testing, ensuring proper URL encoding, verifying domain and IP reputation, configuring email settings correctly, and addressing any potential security blocks or local software conflicts.
Key findings
- Security Blocking: Email providers (Gmail, Outlook), security services (Cloudflare), and local software (antivirus, ad blockers) actively block links deemed risky.
- Reputation Matters: Domain and IP reputation significantly impact link accessibility; blacklisted entities trigger error messages.
- URL Integrity: Invalid, broken, or improperly encoded URLs are a frequent cause of errors.
- Configuration Issues: Incorrectly set up tracking, personalization, or redirect chains break links.
- Website Changes: Website redesigns, content removal, and typos lead to broken links if not addressed.
Key considerations
- Thorough Testing: Rigorously test all links before sending emails across different devices and email clients.
- Validate URLs: Regularly use link validation tools to identify and fix broken URLs.
- Check Security Settings: Advise recipients to check their antivirus and ad-blocking settings if links are consistently blocked.
- Monitor Reputation: Actively monitor domain and IP reputation and take steps to address any issues.
- Proper Configuration: Ensure all tracking parameters, personalization tags, and redirect chains are correctly configured.
- Use Reputable Shorteners: Stick to well-known link shorteners and monitor their reputation to avoid being blacklisted.
- Stay Updated: Keep URLs updated after website changes or content removals, using redirects as necessary.
What email marketers say
10 marketer opinions
Error messages when accessing links in emails can stem from various issues related to URL validity, security measures, and email client configurations. These issues include broken or invalid URLs, link shortener reputation, encoding problems, incorrect tracking parameters, personalization errors, redirect chains, domain reputation, corporate security policies, and interference from image proxies. Resolving these errors requires thorough testing, validation, proper configuration, and addressing potential security blocks.
Key opinions
- URL Validity: Broken or invalid URLs are a common cause of error messages. Thorough testing and validation are essential.
- Security Measures: Corporate firewalls, antivirus software, and email client security features can block links deemed unsafe.
- Configuration Errors: Incorrectly implemented tracking parameters, personalization tags, and redirect chains can lead to broken links.
- Domain Reputation: If a domain has a poor web reputation the links in emails might not work
- Encoding issues: URL Encoding Issues. If special characters, or characters not matching what the server expects are in the URL it might break
Key considerations
- Test Thoroughly: Always test links before sending emails to ensure they are functional across different email clients and devices.
- Validate URLs: Use link validation tools to check for broken or invalid URLs and fix them promptly.
- Avoid Shorteners: Be cautious when using URL shorteners, as some are flagged as suspicious and can negatively impact deliverability.
- Check Security Policies: If links are consistently blocked, check with the IT department to ensure the URL isn't being blocked at the network level.
- Review Configurations: Double-check tracking parameters, personalization tags, and redirect chains to ensure they are correctly implemented.
- Monitor Reputation: Maintain a good domain and IP reputation to prevent links from being flagged as unsafe.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailjet Blog explains that an incorrect setup of tracking links, particularly when using custom domains for tracking, can cause error messages. They recommend verifying the DNS settings for the custom domain and ensuring that the tracking links are correctly configured in the email sending platform.
16 Jan 2024 - Mailjet Blog
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests that something is flagging Marketo's domain with a bad web reputation. He advises using an alternative device to pinpoint where the negative verdict is coming from and addressing it with the appropriate party.
4 Aug 2024 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
Error messages when accessing email links can arise from multiple sources, including Cloudflare blocking suspicious IP addresses, ad blocking or antivirus software on the user's device, and the use of blacklisted link shorteners. Website redesigns, content removal, and typos also contribute to broken links and error messages. Addressing these issues involves investigating network security, checking local device settings, carefully selecting link shorteners, and regularly auditing link integrity.
Key opinions
- Cloudflare Blocking: Cloudflare might block access if it suspects malicious activity from the user's IP address or network.
- Local Software Interference: Ad blocking or antivirus software on the user's computer can prevent access to links.
- Link Shortener Reputation: Using blacklisted link shorteners can lead to error messages.
- Website Changes: Website redesigns, content removal, or typos can cause broken links.
Key considerations
- Investigate Security Issues: If Cloudflare is blocking access, investigate the user's network and consider whitelisting the IP address if necessary.
- Check Local Settings: Advise users to check their ad blocking and antivirus software settings if they encounter link access issues.
- Choose Reputable Shorteners: Use reputable link shorteners and monitor their reputation to avoid being blacklisted.
- Audit Links Regularly: Regularly audit links, implement redirects, and ensure URLs are correctly formatted to prevent errors caused by website changes.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares that the issue could also stem from ad blocking software or anti-virus software installed on the user's computer, suggesting various internal PC factors might be responsible.
2 Nov 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that broken links can occur due to website redesigns, content removal, or typos. She advises regularly auditing links, implementing redirects, and ensuring URLs are correctly formatted to prevent errors.
30 Apr 2024 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
Error messages when accessing links in emails are often triggered by security scans performed by email providers like Gmail and Outlook, Cloudflare's IP reputation system, or blocklists maintained by organizations like Spamhaus. These systems check for malicious content, suspicious IP activity, or blacklisted domains. Ensuring websites are secure (HTTPS), adhering to URL syntax rules, and maintaining a good domain reputation are crucial for preventing these errors.
Key findings
- Gmail Security Scan: Gmail scans links for malicious content and flags potential security risks or untrusted websites.
- Cloudflare IP Reputation: Cloudflare blocks access from IP addresses flagged for suspicious activity, often impacting users on compromised networks or VPNs.
- Outlook Safe Links: Outlook Safe Links rewrites URLs and checks for malicious content, displaying errors if threats are detected.
- Spamhaus Blocklists: Email clients flag links to domains listed on Spamhaus blocklists, triggering error messages.
- URL Syntax Violations: URLs that violate syntax rules defined in RFC 3986 (e.g., unescaped characters) can cause errors.
Key considerations
- Ensure HTTPS Security: Make sure the linked website is secure (HTTPS) to avoid being flagged by email security scans.
- Maintain IP Reputation: Avoid using networks or VPNs with poor reputations that may be blocked by Cloudflare.
- Verify Domain Reputation: Check if your domain is on any blocklists and request delisting if appropriate.
- Adhere to URL Syntax: Ensure URLs comply with RFC 3986 standards and are correctly formatted.
- Contact Sender for Legitimate Links: If a link is blocked and appears legitimate, contact the sender to report the issue.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft explains that Outlook Safe Links rewrites URLs in emails to point to Microsoft servers. When a user clicks the link, Microsoft checks the destination website for malicious content. An error message can appear if the scan detects a threat or if the site is unavailable. They recommend contacting the sender if the link appears legitimate.
15 Dec 2024 - Microsoft Support
Technical article
Documentation from Google Support explains that Gmail scans links in emails for malicious content. An error message might appear if the scan identifies a potential security risk, or if the link is to an untrusted or blacklisted website. They recommend ensuring the linked website is secure (HTTPS) and not on any blocklists.
1 Jun 2023 - Google Support
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