Suped

Summary

When email service providers (ESPs) use click tracking links, these links sometimes get flagged as dangerous or malicious by security software like Norton, or by internet service providers (ISPs) themselves. This can be baffling for senders, as their primary domain may not be flagged, and the issue appears specific to the tracking links provided by their ESP.Understanding why this happens is crucial for maintaining good email deliverability and ensuring your emails reach the inbox without triggering security warnings. It's often related to how these tracking domains are shared and managed, as well as the overall reputation of the domain or IP address used for click tracking.

What email marketers say

Email marketers often face unexpected hurdles with deliverability, and click tracking links being flagged as dangerous by security software is one such challenge. Their experiences highlight the practical steps taken to diagnose and resolve these issues, often involving direct communication with ESPs and security vendors.

Marketer view

An email marketer from Email Geeks shared their past experiences with click tracking domains being flagged. They noted that creating their own custom click tracking domains, instead of using ESP-provided ones, proved beneficial. They also advised using online URL checkers from security software companies to get insights into why a link is flagged. In their experience, directly submitting flagged click tracking domains to security providers for re-evaluation or re-categorization was effective and is now part of their checklist for new click domains.

06 Apr 2020 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

A marketer from Campaign Monitor emphasizes the importance of understanding email blocklists. They explain that if emails are being marked as spam, it's essential to understand what an email blacklist is and how to prevent your emails from ending up on one. This knowledge is crucial for ensuring emails reach the inbox.

20 Jul 2019 - Campaign Monitor

What the experts say

Deliverability experts weigh in on the complexities of click tracking link blockages, often pointing to underlying structural issues with how ESPs manage shared domains and the importance of thorough security checks. Their insights provide a deeper technical understanding and help clarify unusual suggestions from ESPs.

Expert view

A deliverability expert from Email Geeks explained that a previous issue involved an ESP click tracking domain that shared paths across all its customers. When one customer's account was compromised and used for phishing, all customers linked to a malicious site. This led to widespread blocking for all clients using that shared setup.

07 Apr 2020 - Email Geeks

Expert view

An expert from Word to the Wise cautions that issues with link tracking domains are often tied to the underlying domain reputation. If the domain itself has been associated with spam or malicious activity, even legitimate emails using it for tracking can face deliverability issues.

10 Apr 2023 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says

Official documentation from ESPs, security companies, and industry bodies provides guidelines and best practices for managing click tracking domains and preventing them from being flagged. These resources often clarify the technical requirements and responsibilities for maintaining a healthy sending and tracking reputation.

Technical article

Klaviyo Help Center documentation states that if an account uses Klaviyo's shared click tracking domain and sees links being blocked, the user should set up a dedicated click tracking domain. This proactive step helps to ensure that tracking links are not adversely affected by the reputation of the shared domain.

10 Apr 2024 - Klaviyo Help Center

Technical article

The Abusix blog, discussing the role of ESPs in blocking spam, explains that if an IP address is blocklisted, the ESP typically needs to solve the problem on their end. This applies unless the sender is on a dedicated server, emphasizing the ESP's responsibility for shared infrastructure reputation.

15 Sep 2022 - Abusix

8 resources

Start improving your email deliverability today

Get started