Why is my Google Workspace email account suspended when sending via Klaviyo, despite having SPF, DKIM, and DMARC verified?
Michael Ko
Co-founder & CEO, Suped
Published 1 Jun 2025
Updated 17 Aug 2025
5 min read
Dealing with a suspended Google Workspace email account can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you've diligently set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Many assume that robust email authentication guarantees perfect deliverability and prevents such issues. However, an account suspension, particularly one tied to your core Google Workspace email and occurring with regular frequency, often points to a more complex underlying problem than just authentication misconfigurations.
When Google Workspace flags an account for spamming, even if your primary marketing emails are sent via a platform like Klaviyo, it indicates a potential issue with direct sending from that specific Google Workspace account. This usually means mail is originating from your Google environment itself, rather than through your marketing automation platform's infrastructure.
When your Google Workspace email account gets suspended, the most critical first step is to check the exact alert message from Google. Often, it will provide a summary indicating that the account might have been compromised and is being used to send spam from within your domain. This specific wording is a strong clue.
Typical suspension alert
The alert center message from Google Workspace is crucial for diagnosis. It explicitly states if the suspension is due to suspected spamming originating directly from the account within your domain. This distinguishes it from external deliverability issues through third-party services like Klaviyo.
Example Google Workspace Alert Message
Summary: user@yourdomain.com’s account might have been compromised and is being used to send spam from within your domain. We have temporarily suspended their account.
User impacted: user@yourdomain.com
Details: Account user@yourdomain.com disabled because Google has become aware that it was used to engage in spamming.
Even if your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly configured for sending through Klaviyo, this type of suspension indicates that Google detected suspicious activity directly from the Workspace account itself. This could be due to a compromised password, a malicious application with granted access, or even an authorized application that is misbehaving or being used in a way that violates Google's email sender guidelines.
The recurring nature of the suspension, especially around the 15th of each month, strongly suggests an automated process or scheduled campaign from a source other than your main marketing platform. This temporal pattern is a crucial diagnostic clue that points away from random spam attacks and towards a systematic, potentially overlooked, sending mechanism.
Investigating the source of the spam
When your Google Workspace account is suspended for sending spam, despite your primary email marketing with Klaviyo being authenticated, the problem likely lies within your Google Workspace environment. This is often due to an application or service that has direct access to send emails from that specific account, bypassing Klaviyo's sending infrastructure.
Symptoms of internal spamming
Suspension alert: Google's alert center explicitly states that the account is suspended for sending spam from within your domain.
Recurring pattern: Suspensions happen at regular intervals, like monthly, suggesting an automated process.
High volume: Even if your marketing emails are fine, another system might be sending bulk, unauthorized mail directly through your Google Workspace account.
Potential culprits and investigative steps
Connected apps: Check all third-party applications that have access to your Google account, especially those with OAuth permissions. Common examples include CRM systems, helpdesk software (like Gorgias), or sales engagement tools. Learn why sales tools can suspend Google Workspace emails.
Password security: Ensure the account has a strong, unique password and two-factor authentication enabled.
API usage: Some applications might use Google'sAPIs to send emails directly.
A good diagnostic step is to temporarily change the sender email address used for your marketing campaigns or any other external sending to see if the suspension continues. If the problem persists even after changing the 'from' address in Klaviyo, it reinforces the idea that an internal process within Google Workspace is the root cause.
Using DMARC reports for deeper insights
While your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC might be verified, the true power of DMARC lies in its reporting capabilities. Setting up DMARC monitoring provides valuable insight into all email streams purporting to be from your domain, whether authorized or not. This is key to uncovering shadow IT or misconfigured applications that are sending mail directly from your Google Workspace account.
DMARC aggregate reports (RUA) give you a comprehensive overview of sending activity for your domain, including source IPs, sending volumes, and authentication results (SPF and DKIM pass/fail). If an unauthorized application within your Google environment is sending spam, these reports will show high volumes of unauthenticated mail from Google's IP ranges. This information is critical for troubleshooting Google Workspace email suspensions.
The power of DMARC reporting
DMARC reports provide a holistic view of your domain's email ecosystem. They help you pinpoint unexpected sending sources that might be causing issues like account suspensions, even when your primary senders are correctly authenticated. Regularly reviewing these reports is a best practice for proactive email security and deliverability. You can learn more about understanding DMARC reports from Google and Yahoo.
Identify unauthorized senders: See if any GoogleIP addresses are listed as sending unauthenticated mail for your domain.
Volume analysis: High volumes of unauthenticated mail from Google's infrastructure can pinpoint the issue.
Remember, DMARC reports are generated by receiving mail servers, so they reflect what actually reaches inboxes, not just what your sending system thinks it sent. This makes them an invaluable tool for diagnosing a wide range of deliverability issues, including unexpected suspensions or being added to a blacklist (or blocklist).
Preventative steps and ongoing monitoring
To prevent future suspensions and maintain your email reputation, it is essential to implement proactive measures. Reviewing all applications connected to your Google Workspace account and tightening security are crucial steps. You can also monitor your domain and IP reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools to catch issues early.
Best practices for Google Workspace security and deliverability
Audit connected apps: Regularly review and revoke access for any third-party applications or APIs that are no longer necessary or trustworthy. Ensure that any apps with sending permissions are explicitly authorized and behave as expected.
Strengthen account security: Implement strong password policies and enforce two-factor authentication for all Google Workspace users, especially those whose accounts are used for automated sending or integrations. This reduces the risk of account compromise.
Monitor DMARC reports: Consistently analyze your DMARC aggregate and forensic reports. These reports will highlight any unauthorized sending from your domain, helping you identify and block rogue senders before they cause major issues like account suspensions or IP blocklisting.
Subdomain strategy: If possible, separate marketing email sending to a dedicated subdomain. This helps isolate any deliverability issues to that subdomain, protecting the reputation of your primary domain.
Finally, maintaining open communication with Google Workspace support is essential. They have the internal logs and insights to provide the most accurate reason for suspension. While external deliverability experts can offer guidance, Google's direct support is paramount for resolving account-specific suspensions originating from their platform.
Summary of action points
A Google Workspace account suspension, especially when recurring and tied to spamming activity, almost always indicates an internal issue rather than a direct problem with your primary Klaviyo sending. Focus your investigation on third-party apps, compromised credentials, or misconfigured internal systems that could be leveraging your Google account for sending. Leverage DMARC reports for visibility, maintain strong security practices, and engage directly with Google Workspace support for specific details on the suspension cause.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Always review Google Workspace's alert center for specific suspension details and messages, as they pinpoint the exact reason for the block.
Regularly audit third-party applications and integrations connected to your Google Workspace account for unexpected email sending permissions.
Implement DMARC reporting to gain visibility into all email streams using your domain, helping identify unauthorized senders that might be causing suspensions.
If sending high volumes, use a dedicated subdomain for marketing emails to isolate potential deliverability issues and protect your primary domain's reputation.
Maintain strong password security and enforce two-factor authentication for all Google Workspace accounts to prevent unauthorized access and sending.
Common pitfalls
Assuming SPF, DKIM, and DMARC verification for one sending platform (e.g., Klaviyo) means all email from your domain is compliant and problem-free.
Overlooking internal systems or connected applications that might be sending emails directly through Google Workspace without proper monitoring.
Failing to analyze DMARC reports for unauthenticated mail streams originating from unexpected IP addresses, which can indicate unauthorized sending.
Not contacting Google Workspace support immediately for account suspensions, as they have direct insights into internal reasons for blocks.
Ignoring recurring suspension patterns, which often indicate a scheduled automated process rather than a random spam incident.
Expert tips
Check OAuth access for all connected apps.
Use DMARC aggregate reports to pinpoint unexpected sending sources.
Temporarily changing the sender email can help isolate the issue.
If the problem persists, escalate to Google Workspace support, as they can provide specific internal logs.
Review your Google Workspace audit logs for any suspicious login activity or unusual email sending patterns from the affected account.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says the Google Workspace alert center provides essential information regarding account suspensions, which should be checked first.
2023-12-15 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says the best approach is to contact Google Support directly, as they are the only ones with access to internal logs that can explain why the account's sending capabilities are being blocked.
Klaviyo, it indicates a potential issue with direct sending from that specific Google Workspace account. This usually means mail is originating from your 
Google environment itself, rather than through your marketing automation platform's infrastructure.
Google Workspace email account gets suspended, the most critical first step is to check the exact alert message from Google. Often, it will provide a summary indicating that the account might have been compromised and is being used to send spam from within your domain. This specific wording is a strong clue.
DMARC lies in its reporting capabilities. Setting up DMARC monitoring provides valuable insight into all email streams purporting to be from your domain, whether authorized or not. This is key to uncovering shadow IT or misconfigured applications that are sending mail directly from your 
