Summary
Broken SendGrid links can stem from a multitude of factors including DNS configuration issues with CNAME and A records, unverified branded domains, inconsistent link tracking settings across subusers, aggressive spam filters, problems with HTTPS encryption or mixed content, incorrect IDN handling, low domain/link reputation, the use of URL shorteners, caching issues, and issues within the email headers. Troubleshooting involves verifying DNS settings, ensuring consistent subuser settings, monitoring and improving domain/link reputation, validating links, avoiding URL shorteners, addressing content encryption issues, and analyzing email headers.
Key findings
- DNS Configuration: Incorrect CNAME and A records for branded domains are a common cause of broken links. Proper DNS setup is crucial.
- Domain Verification: Unverified branded domains lead to tracking issues and broken links. Ensure domains are verified in SendGrid.
- Spam Filters: Aggressive spam filters may flag rewritten links. Ensure proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
- Link Reputation: A damaged link reputation results in broken links or deliverability issues. Monitor and improve reputation.
- HTTPS Encryption: HTTPS encryption problems or mixed content on landing pages can cause link failures.
- Subuser Settings: Inconsistent link tracking settings across subusers lead to link rewriting problems.
- IDN Handling: Incorrect handling of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) may break links.
- URL Shorteners: Using URL shorteners with SendGrid's link tracking can lead to conflicts.
- Caching Issues: Caching on client or server-side may cause broken links.
- Email Headers: Issues in email headers can cause incorrect link rewriting and broken links.
Key considerations
- DNS Records: Regularly verify CNAME and A records for your branded domains.
- Domain Reputation: Actively monitor and work to improve your sending domain and link reputation.
- Link Validation: Always validate links before sending to avoid broken links.
- HTTPS Compliance: Ensure your landing pages are fully HTTPS compliant and avoid mixed content.
- Subuser Consistency: Keep link tracking settings consistent across all subusers in your SendGrid account.
- Avoid URL Shorteners: Avoid using third-party URL shorteners in conjunction with SendGrid's link tracking.
- Header Analysis: Analyze raw email headers to identify potential issues in link rewriting.
- ESP Support: Contact SendGrid support for assistance with complex configuration issues or suspected platform problems.
What email marketers say
8 marketer opinions
Several factors can contribute to broken SendGrid links. These include incorrect setup of branded links and link tracking, aggressive spam filters, problems with HTTPS encryption or mixed content on landing pages, incorrect handling of internationalized domain names (IDNs), poor domain reputation for newly created domains, issues within email headers, and caching problems. Addressing these areas can help resolve the issue.
Key opinions
- Branded Links: Incorrect branded link setup in SendGrid can cause broken links. Ensure proper configuration or temporarily disable link tracking.
- Spam Filters: Aggressive spam filters may interpret rewritten links as suspicious. Verify domain reputation and ensure correct SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
- Link Validation: Failing to validate links before sending can result in broken links being sent. Use link checker tools to catch issues.
- HTTPS Encryption: HTTPS encryption and mixed content issues on landing pages can cause problems with redirects. Ensure the destination website supports HTTPS and has no mixed content warnings.
- IDN Handling: Incorrect handling of internationalized domain names (IDNs) can lead to broken links. Test with non-ASCII characters.
- Domain Reputation: Low domain reputation for newly created domains can cause broken links. Warm up the domain by gradually increasing sending volume.
- Email Headers: Issues within email headers can result in unusual redirects or encoding problems, causing broken links. Analyze email headers to identify issues.
- Caching Issues: Caching on the client or server-side can cause broken links. Clear browser cache and ensure caching mechanisms aren't interfering with link redirection.
Key considerations
- Domain Reputation: Regularly monitor your domain's reputation to prevent issues with link deliverability.
- Link Validation: Always validate your links before sending emails to avoid delivering broken links to recipients.
- Branded Links Configuration: Properly configure branded links and ensure that they are correctly set up within SendGrid.
- Content Encryption: Ensure that the landing pages support HTTPS and do not have mixed content warnings.
- Email Header Analysis: Checking raw email headers can provide clues about how links are being rewritten and where they are breaking.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Marketing Forum suggests that a potential issue could be related to the encryption (HTTPS) of the landing page. They propose ensuring that the destination website supports HTTPS and that there are no mixed content warnings, as these can sometimes cause issues with redirected links.
24 Oct 2023 - Marketing Forum
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit mentions that issues can arise if the tracking domain or sending domain are newly created and haven't built up enough reputation. The user suggests warming up the domain by sending low volumes initially and gradually increasing the sending volume to establish a good sending reputation.
13 Feb 2024 - Reddit
What the experts say
5 expert opinions
Broken SendGrid links can arise from various issues including improper DNS setup by the ESP, requiring a DNS entry for correct redirection, conflicts from using URL shortening services with SendGrid's tracking, a damaged link reputation, or needing to disable link rewriting. Resolution involves contacting ESP support, avoiding URL shorteners, monitoring link reputation, and adjusting SendGrid settings.
Key opinions
- DNS Setup: Incorrect DNS setup by SendGrid's link tracking feature can cause broken links. Verify the configuration and consider adding a DNS entry for the domain.
- Link Rewriting: Link rewriting can be disabled in the SendGrid interface as a possible solution.
- URL Shorteners: Using URL shortening services alongside SendGrid's link tracking can lead to conflicts.
- Link Reputation: A damaged link reputation can result in broken links or deliverability problems.
Key considerations
- ESP Support: Contacting SendGrid support is recommended for issues related to DNS setup and link tracking configuration.
- Avoid URL Shorteners: Refrain from using URL shortening services when utilizing SendGrid's link tracking features.
- Monitor Reputation: Actively monitor your sending domain and link reputation using tools like Google Search Console and SendGrid's dashboard.
- SendGrid Settings: Consider disabling link rewriting within the SendGrid interface as a troubleshooting step.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says that you can also disable link rewriting in the SendGrid interface using this link: <https://sendgrid.com/docs/ui/account-and-settings/tracking/#click-tracking>
16 Aug 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggests adding a DNS entry for the Sendgrid domain to redirect it correctly to the right place.
12 Sep 2022 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
6 technical articles
Broken SendGrid links often result from DNS configuration issues, particularly with CNAME records for branded link domains. Other causes include inconsistent link tracking settings across subusers, issues with the root domain's A records, and unverified branded domains. Resolving these problems involves verifying DNS records, ensuring consistent subuser settings, and confirming domain verification within SendGrid.
Key findings
- DNS Configuration: Incorrectly configured CNAME records for the branded link domain are a primary cause of broken SendGrid links.
- DNS Propagation: Inconsistent DNS propagation can lead to intermittent link failures.
- Subuser Settings: Conflicting link tracking settings across subusers can affect link rewriting and cause broken links.
- Root Domain Resolution: If the root domain of the branded links isn't resolving correctly, the rewritten links will fail.
- Domain Verification: Unverified branded domains can cause tracking issues and broken links.
Key considerations
- CNAME Verification: Verify that the CNAME records for link tracking are correctly pointing to SendGrid's servers or the appropriate endpoint.
- DNS Propagation Check: Use tools like MXToolbox to ensure the CNAME records are correctly propagated across different DNS servers.
- Consistent Settings: Ensure link tracking settings are consistent across the main SendGrid account and all subusers.
- Root Domain Resolution: Verify that the A records for the root domain are pointing to the correct IP addresses.
- Domain Verification: Ensure that the branded domain has been verified within your SendGrid account.
Technical article
Documentation from SendGrid Support shares that if your account has multiple subusers with different settings, conflicting settings can affect link rewriting. Ensure that the link tracking settings are consistent across the main account and all subusers.
24 Apr 2023 - SendGrid Support
Technical article
Documentation from SendGrid explains that broken links due to click tracking often stem from DNS configuration issues. Specifically, the custom domain for link branding might not be correctly set up, causing links to redirect incorrectly or fail. They recommend verifying the CNAME records in your DNS settings to point to SendGrid's servers.
5 Sep 2022 - SendGrid
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