Summary
Google Workspace account suspensions when sending via Klaviyo, despite proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), can stem from various interconnected factors. These include suspicious account activity, exceeding sending limits, triggering spam filters due to content or sending patterns, poor list hygiene, low engagement, technical misconfigurations (DMARC, SPF/DKIM alignment), and external factors like compromised accounts. Experts and documentation emphasize contacting Google support, ensuring compliance with Klaviyo guidelines, checking for unauthorized activity, warming up IP addresses, cleaning email lists, optimizing content, fostering consistent engagement, handling bounces correctly, and establishing feedback loops.
Key findings
- Multi-Factorial Issue: Suspensions are often due to a combination of factors, not a single cause.
- Account Security Matters: Compromised accounts and unauthorized apps can trigger suspensions.
- Content is Critical: Spammy content, broken HTML, and URL shorteners can flag emails.
- Volume and Sending Patterns: Sudden volume spikes and inconsistent sending hurt deliverability.
- Engagement is Key: Low engagement and high bounce rates are red flags for Google.
- Google's Perspective: Google is the ultimate arbiter and understands why account suspended. Contacting them is vital.
Key considerations
- Google Support: Immediately contact Google support for specific suspension details.
- Klaviyo Compliance: Review and comply with Klaviyo's sending guidelines.
- Account Audit: Check for unauthorized logins and app connections.
- Gradual IP Warm-up: Implement a slow, consistent IP warm-up when starting or increasing volume.
- List Cleaning: Regularly prune inactive and unengaged subscribers.
- Content Optimization: Avoid spam triggers in email content (words, links, images).
- Consistent Sending: Maintain a steady sending frequency and avoid abrupt changes.
- Technical Setup Review: Verify correct SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations.
- Bounce Handling: Implement a robust bounce processing and feedback loop system.
What email marketers say
8 marketer opinions
Several factors can cause Google Workspace account suspensions when sending via Klaviyo, even with proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC verification. These include exceeding sending limits, triggering spam filters due to high volume or sudden increases in sending, content-related issues like spam triggers and broken HTML, high bounce rates, compromised accounts sending unauthorized emails, and poor sender reputation due to low engagement or inconsistent sending patterns. Reviewing Klaviyo's guidelines, gradually warming up IP addresses, checking for compromised accounts, maintaining good list hygiene, optimizing email content, and consistently engaging with subscribers are crucial.
Key opinions
- Sending Limits & Spam Filters: Exceeding Google's sending limits or triggering spam filters, despite authentication, can lead to suspension.
- Volume Spikes: A sudden increase in email sending volume can trigger Google's security measures.
- Content Issues: Spam filters may be triggered by email content, broken HTML, large images, or URL shorteners.
- Account Compromise: Compromised accounts sending unauthorized emails can result in suspension.
- Sender Reputation: Low engagement, high bounce rates, and inconsistent sending frequency negatively impact sender reputation.
Key considerations
- Klaviyo Guidelines: Review and ensure compliance with Klaviyo's sending guidelines.
- IP Warming: Gradually warm up IP addresses when increasing sending volume.
- Account Security: Check for unusual login activities and secure accounts with multi-factor authentication.
- List Hygiene: Maintain a clean email list and remove inactive subscribers.
- Content Optimization: Optimize email content to avoid spam triggers and improve deliverability.
- Engagement Consistency: Consistently engage with subscribers to improve sender reputation.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Litmus suggests that spam filters might be triggered by broken HTML code, large image sizes, or the use of URL shorteners. Optimize email content to improve deliverability.
10 Oct 2024 - Litmus
Marketer view
Email marketer from Quora shares that a sudden increase in email sending volume can trigger Google's security measures, leading to temporary suspension. Gradually increasing the sending volume and warming up the IP address are advisable.
22 Nov 2024 - Quora
What the experts say
5 expert opinions
Several experts suggest reasons for Google Workspace account suspensions when sending via Klaviyo, despite proper email authentication. Initial troubleshooting steps involve contacting Google support for specific reasons and changing the outbound email address to isolate the problem source. It's crucial to implement a subdomain for ESP sending, set up DMARC reporting, and check the user account for unauthorized apps. Google may react to sudden sending patterns, emphasizing the need for gradual IP warming, consistent volume, and good list hygiene. Proper bounce handling, feedback loop integration, maintaining a clean email list, and segmenting based on engagement are vital to prevent spam filters and preserve sender reputation.
Key opinions
- Google Support Essential: Contacting Google support is critical to determine the specific reason for the suspension.
- Unauthorized Activity: Suspensions could be linked to unauthorized apps or tools connected to the account.
- Sending Patterns: Sudden sending pattern changes can trigger suspensions even with proper authentication.
- List Hygiene Impacts: Poor list hygiene and low engagement rates negatively impact deliverability.
- Technical Setup: Incorrect bounce processing and missing feedback loop integration damage sender reputation.
Key considerations
- Contact Google: Prioritize contacting Google for specific details about the account suspension.
- Isolate Sending Source: Change the outbound email address to identify the source of the problem.
- Implement Subdomain: Utilize a subdomain for email service provider (ESP) sending to protect the main domain.
- Monitor with DMARC: Set up DMARC reporting to identify unauthorized email sending.
- Check Account Permissions: Audit connected apps and tools for potential unauthorized access.
- Warm Up IP Gradually: Implement a gradual IP warming strategy with a consistent sending volume.
- Practice List Hygiene: Regularly clean email lists and remove inactive subscribers.
- Handle Bounces Correctly: Ensure correct processing of bounces and implement feedback loops.
- Segmented Sending: Segment sending based on email engagment.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource suggests that improper handling of bounces and lack of feedback loop integration can damage sender reputation. Ensure bounces are processed correctly and feedback loops are set up to handle complaints promptly.
22 Dec 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise advises maintaining a clean and engaged email list. Regularly remove inactive subscribers and segment based on engagement to prevent low engagement rates from triggering spam filters.
15 Jan 2022 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
6 technical articles
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help, Klaviyo, Google Postmaster Tools, RFC Standard 7489, Mailchimp, and Microsoft collectively highlights that Google Workspace account suspensions, even with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC verified, can result from suspicious activity (spam, unusual sign-ins, compromised accounts), poor email list hygiene, failure to segment audiences, insufficient engagement monitoring, high spam complaint rates, incorrect DMARC policy implementation, and improper configuration of SPF/DKIM records. Monitoring Google Admin console alerts, sender reputation, and adhering to email sending best practices are critical.
Key findings
- Suspicious Activity: Suspicious activity, like spam, unusual sign-ins, or a compromised account, can trigger suspensions.
- List Hygiene & Segmentation: Poor email list hygiene and lack of audience segmentation negatively impact sender reputation.
- DMARC Configuration: Incorrect DMARC policy configuration, especially with 'p=reject' or 'p=quarantine', can block legitimate emails.
- SPF/DKIM Validation: Improperly configured SPF/DKIM records can lead to authentication failures.
- Engagement & Spam Rates: Low engagement rates and high spam complaint rates are strong indicators of deliverability issues.
Key considerations
- Review Admin Console: Regularly review the Google Workspace Admin console for alerts and security settings.
- Monitor Sender Reputation: Monitor sender reputation and spam rates using Google Postmaster Tools.
- Validate SPF/DKIM: Ensure SPF records include all sending sources (including Klaviyo's servers) and DKIM signatures are valid.
- Implement DMARC Correctly: Configure DMARC policies carefully, ensuring proper SPF and DKIM alignment.
- Clean Email Lists: Maintain a clean email list by removing inactive or unengaged subscribers.
- Segment Audiences: Segment audiences based on engagement levels to tailor email content effectively.
- Follow Sending Guidelines: Adhere to email sending best practices outlined by Microsoft and other providers.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft provides guidelines for email senders, which includes maintaining list hygiene, avoiding sudden spikes in sending volume, and using the Junk Email Reporting Program (JMRP) to monitor spam complaints and improve sender reputation.
9 Nov 2024 - Microsoft
Technical article
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help explains that accounts can be suspended due to suspicious activity, which includes sending spam, unusual sign-in activity, or potential account compromise. Reviewing the Admin console's alerts and security settings is crucial.
30 Sep 2024 - Google Workspace Admin Help
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