Summary
When your Google Workspace email account faces monthly suspensions despite strong email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and a low complaint rate, it often points to an underlying issue beyond standard deliverability metrics. While your bulk email sender (Klaviyo) might be properly authenticated, the suspension indicates that Google perceives unauthorized or spam-like activity originating directly from the Google Workspace account itself. This could stem from other applications or services connected to the account that are sending emails without your explicit knowledge or in violation of Google's terms of service.
Key findings
- Google's perspective: The suspension alert, stating the account “might have been compromised and is being used to send spam from within your domain,” indicates that Google believes the activity originates directly from their system, not just from Klaviyo sending on your behalf.
- Authentication isn't the sole factor: Even with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC correctly configured, Google can suspend an account if it detects behavior that violates its usage policies. This is crucial for troubleshooting email deliverability.
- Internal sending risk: The issue likely stems from mail sent *through* the Google Workspace infrastructure, not exclusively from your marketing platform like Klaviyo.
- Monthly pattern: A recurring suspension around the same date each month suggests a scheduled process or activity triggering the block, rather than random spamming. This can be related to sender reputation.
Key considerations
- Investigate connected apps: Thoroughly check all third-party applications or services connected to the suspended Google Workspace account via OAuth or API. These could include CRM systems, helpdesk software (like Gorgias), project management tools, or other integrations that send transactional or notification emails directly through Google's SMTP servers.
- Review Google alert center: While initial alerts may be vague, consistently monitoring the Google Workspace Alert Center for detailed insights and specific violations can provide more clues.
- Contact Google support: Engage directly with Google Workspace support. They are the only ones who can provide precise reasons for account suspensions and guidance on resolution. It is their responsibility to assist with issues related to their service. For more details on Google's email authentication policies, refer to the Klaviyo Help Center.
- Monitor DMARC reports: DMARC reports can reveal if there are unauthenticated emails being sent using your domain that you are unaware of, potentially from compromised accounts or misconfigured systems. Reviewing DMARC reports is a crucial step.
What email marketers say
Email marketers facing Google Workspace account suspensions, despite having robust email authentication, often find themselves in a challenging troubleshooting scenario. The consensus among marketers indicates that such issues, particularly when recurring, point away from standard bulk email deliverability and more towards activities originating directly from the Google Workspace account itself. This highlights the complexity of managing email sending across multiple platforms and the need to investigate all potential sources of outbound email from the affected account.
Key opinions
- Beyond authentication: Many marketers acknowledge that while SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are foundational for email deliverability, they do not prevent Google from suspending an account if it detects spamming behavior originating from within the Google Workspace environment itself. For example, some might ask why Gmail flags messages as suspicious.
- Internal vs. external sending: A common opinion is that if the problem persists despite good ESP practices (like using Klaviyo), the issue is likely with mail being sent directly from the Google Workspace account, not through the ESP.
- Recurring patterns: The monthly suspension pattern suggests a scheduled, automated process that might be triggering Google's spam detection, such as a report generation or a specific monthly campaign sent via a connected tool.
- The helpdesk connection: Some marketers suspect that helpdesk applications or CRM systems connected to the Google Workspace account (e.g., Gorgias) could be the culprits, as they often send automated replies or notifications directly.
Key considerations
- Isolate the sending source: To diagnose the root cause, marketers recommend changing the sender email address of the Google Workspace account being suspended and observing if the issue persists or shifts.
- Audit connected applications: A thorough audit of all applications integrated with the Google Workspace account, especially those with email sending permissions, is critical to identify any unexpected or unwanted email activity.
- DMARC reporting for visibility: Setting up and regularly reviewing DMARC reports can provide insights into any unauthenticated mail traffic using your domain. For further details on DMARC policies, you can consult Mighty Marketing Mojo's guide.
- Subdomain for ESP: While already using a subdomain for Klaviyo, ensuring that all bulk email is sent via this dedicated subdomain, and no marketing emails are directly sent from the main Google Workspace account, is a best practice.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains they have a client whose Google Workspace email account experiences monthly suspensions, typically around the 15th. This occurs despite using the email as the friendly from address for 3 million emails a month via Klaviyo to 260,000 profiles. The emails are all opt-in, and SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are verified. Additionally, the spam complaint rate in Postmaster Tools averages a low 0.1%.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Sprout24 Hub emphasizes that sending unsolicited emails can significantly increase abuse rates, which may lead to account suspension. They point out that proper authentication with SPF or DKIM is crucial, particularly with new mandates from major providers like Yahoo, to prevent such issues.
What the experts say
Email experts weigh in with critical perspectives on Google Workspace account suspensions, especially when robust email authentication is in place. Their insights often steer the discussion towards investigating activities originating directly from the Google Workspace account itself, rather than solely focusing on the ESP (Email Service Provider) setup. They emphasize the importance of Google's internal monitoring for compliance and the potential impact of third-party applications linked to the compromised account.
Key opinions
- Google's direct jurisdiction: Experts agree that Google holds the ultimate authority over suspensions within its ecosystem. Therefore, direct communication with Google Support is paramount, as they possess the specific reasons for blocking an account. This is true even if Gmail is blocking emails despite good Postmaster Tools reputation.
- Beyond deliverability: The issue is often framed as a violation of Google's terms of service, rather than a mere deliverability problem. This shifts the focus from email authentication and reputation to internal account activity.
- Suspicion of compromise: The message about an account being compromised and sending spam from within your domain strongly suggests an unapproved or malicious use of the Google Workspace account itself.
- OAuth/API linked tools: Experts frequently point to email sending tools or apps linked via OAuth or API to the user account as potential sources of the problematic email activity.
Key considerations
- Change affected address: A key diagnostic step is to change the specific Google Workspace email address that is being suspended. If the suspension then ceases, it indicates the problem lies with activity associated with that particular address, rather than the bulk sending platform.
- Deep dive into account settings: Thoroughly investigate the Google Workspace user account's settings for any linked applications or unusual activity. This includes reviewing security logs and connected app permissions.
- DMARC reporting analysis: While you're seeing DMARC reports for your marketing sending, experts suggest setting up and analyzing them specifically for any unexpected large volume, unauthenticated email traffic from your main domain, as this could trigger Google's filters. More details on DMARC can be found on SpamResource.
- Subdomain best practice: Confirm that all bulk email is sent via a dedicated subdomain (e.g., mail.yourdomain.com) and that the main domain's email address is used purely for direct, non-bulk correspondence to minimize overlap and potential issues.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggests checking the Google Workspace Alert Center for detailed information when an account is suspended. They state that this is the primary source of truth for understanding why Google initiated the block on the account's sending capabilities.
Expert view
Expert from SpamResource clarifies that while DMARC, SPF, and DKIM are critical for email deliverability, an account suspension, especially from a major provider, often indicates a violation of terms of service related to the specific account's sending behavior, regardless of authentication.
What the documentation says
Official documentation from various sources, including email marketing platforms and email authentication standards, consistently highlight the foundational role of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC in establishing sender legitimacy. However, they also implicitly or explicitly point out that even with these protocols in place, issues like account suspensions can occur due to factors beyond mere authentication, such as policy violations, high complaint rates, or unusual sending patterns directly from the email account itself. This underscores the need for senders to adhere to both technical standards and behavioral best practices.
Key findings
- DMARC compliance: Documentation often states that warnings for personal or non-enterprise inboxes are likely due to DMARC failing, indicating the importance of proper alignment for authentication. For example, a simple guide to DMARC can clarify this.
- Internal filtering: If emails from a shared sending domain (like Klaviyo's) are blocked for internal team members, it may be due to internal filtering rules rather than external reputation issues.
- DMARC policy application: DMARC's primary role is to dictate what happens when an unauthorized sender attempts to send email on behalf of your domain, according to SPF and DKIM rules.
- SPF and IP verification: With SPF, an email's path is verified against authorized sending IP addresses, a key step in preventing impersonation.
Key considerations
- Holistic authentication: Ensure that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are not only verified but also correctly aligned and enforced to protect against unauthorized sending and improve trust with receiving servers. This involves understanding common DMARC issues.
- Monitor complaint rates: Even a low complaint rate of 0.1% needs continuous monitoring, as thresholds can vary, and consistent small spikes could contribute to reputation issues leading to a blocklist or blacklist.
- Adherence to terms of service: Beyond technical setup, compliance with the terms of service of email providers (like Google Workspace) is crucial. Any activity perceived as spamming, even if authenticated, can lead to suspensions.
- Understanding email path: Recognize that different sending methods (e.g., direct SMTP from Google Workspace vs. sending through Klaviyo) have different authentication and policy implications. The Email Deliverability Playbook can offer deeper insights.
Technical article
Klaviyo Help Center documentation clarifies that if a warning is displayed for a personal, non-enterprise inbox, it most likely indicates a DMARC failure. This highlights the necessity of proper DMARC compliance for successful email delivery and authentication.
Technical article
Klaviyo Help Center documentation states that if emails sent via Klaviyo's shared sending domain are being blocked for internal team members, the issue is likely due to an internal filtering policy rather than a general deliverability problem. This distinguishes between external and internal blocking mechanisms.
Related resources
7 resources
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