Summary
Google Workspace email sending name suspensions arise from various factors, including compromised accounts, domain spoofing, policy violations, poor list hygiene, and improper email authentication. Resolving suspensions involves immediate actions like disabling compromised addresses, conducting security sweeps, and reviewing outbound mail activity. Long-term prevention requires maintaining a clean email list, implementing proper authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), monitoring sender reputation, adhering to sending limits, avoiding spam trigger words, and preventing abuse through security measures and user education. Regularly checking the Google Admin console and utilizing tools like MXToolbox for blacklist checks are also recommended.
Key findings
- Compromised Accounts: Compromised accounts sending spam are a primary cause. Immediate action: disable the account and perform a security sweep.
- Policy Violations: Suspensions often stem from violations of Google's Acceptable Use Policy (e.g., spamming, phishing).
- Domain Spoofing: Domain spoofing can lead to suspension. Implement and monitor DMARC records.
- Poor List Hygiene: High bounce rates, inactive subscribers, and lack of double opt-in contribute to suspensions.
- Authentication Issues: Lack of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) makes you vulnerable to spoofing and deliverability problems.
- Sending Limits: Exceeding Google Workspace's sending limits can trigger suspensions. Understand and adhere to these limits.
- Spam Trigger Words: Using spam trigger words in your email content will cause deliverability problems and possible suspension.
- Sender Reputation: A poor sender reputation negatively impacts deliverability and increases suspension risks.
- Blacklisting: Being blacklisted is a common reason for email delivery issues and potential account suspension.
Key considerations
- Immediate Actions: Immediately disable any suspected compromised accounts and run full security sweeps.
- Review Google Admin Console: Check the Google Workspace Admin console for specific reasons for the suspension and recommended steps.
- Implement DMARC: Implement DMARC to prevent domain spoofing, starting with a 'p=none' policy for monitoring.
- Clean Email List Regularly: Remove inactive subscribers, handle bounces promptly, and use a double opt-in process to maintain list health.
- Authenticate Email: Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to authenticate your email and improve deliverability.
- Warm Up IP/Domain: Gradually increase sending volume, especially with new IP addresses or domains.
- Avoid Spam Triggers: Review your email content and avoid using spam trigger words or phrases.
- Monitor Reputation: Consistently monitor sender reputation, bounce rates, spam complaints, and blacklist status.
- Prevent Abuse: Implement alerts for suspicious activity, enable two-factor authentication, audit user permissions, and educate users about security threats.
- Bounce Processing: Ensure your ESP is handling bounces correctly and remove hard bounces from your list.
What email marketers say
10 marketer opinions
Google Workspace email sending name suspensions typically arise from violations of Google's Acceptable Use Policy, often related to spamming, phishing, or other malicious activities, whether intentional or unintentional. Resolving this involves identifying the root cause, which can range from compromised accounts sending unsolicited emails, domain spoofing, exceeding sending limits, poor email list hygiene, lack of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), spam trigger words in content, high bounce rates, or a compromised account.
Key opinions
- Compromised Account: A common cause is a compromised account sending spam without your knowledge. Run malware scans and change passwords immediately.
- Domain Spoofing: Your domain could be spoofed. Implement and monitor DMARC records.
- Sending Limits: Exceeding Google Workspace sending limits can trigger suspension. Understand and adhere to these limits.
- List Hygiene: Poor email list hygiene (high bounce rates, inactive subscribers) contributes to suspensions. Regularly clean your list.
- Authentication: Lack of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) makes you vulnerable. Implement and monitor these protocols.
- Spam Triggers: Spam trigger words in your email content will trigger suspension. Review content and remove these.
- Sender Reputation: Poor sender reputation is a key indicator. Warm up your IP, send valuable content, and segment your audience.
Key considerations
- Check Activity Logs: Review user activity logs for unusual patterns to identify potential compromised accounts or policy violations.
- Implement DMARC: Implement DMARC with a monitoring policy (p=none) initially, then gradually move to stricter policies.
- Clean Email List: Remove inactive subscribers and handle bounces promptly to maintain a healthy email list.
- Review Content: Review your email content for spam trigger words and phrases to avoid being flagged as spam.
- Monitor Reputation: Continuously monitor your sender reputation, bounce rates, and spam complaints to identify and address deliverability issues.
- Contact Support: If the root cause is unclear, contact Google Workspace support for further assistance.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailjet shares that proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial to prevent spoofing and ensure emails are delivered. The marketer also details how to set up these records and monitor DMARC reports to identify potential authentication issues.
17 Dec 2024 - Mailjet
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit explains that a Google Workspace suspension can occur if the account is sending a high volume of unsolicited emails, even if unintentional. They advise checking user activity logs for any unusual patterns and implementing stricter outbound email policies.
2 Apr 2024 - Reddit
What the experts say
5 expert opinions
Google Workspace email sending name suspensions often result from compromised accounts or sending practices violating Google's policies. Experts recommend immediate actions like disabling the compromised address and performing security sweeps. They also advise focusing on proper bounce processing, DMARC implementation to prevent spoofing, and gradually increasing sending volume to build a positive sender reputation. Checking the Google Apps management interface and monitoring for suspicious activity are also crucial steps.
Key opinions
- Compromised Account: A compromised account is a significant cause. Immediately disable the address and run a security sweep.
- Google's Sending Practices: Suspensions usually occur due to mail sent directly via Google's services, not external ESPs.
- Bounce Processing: Proper bounce processing is crucial for maintaining sender reputation. Remove hard bounces promptly.
- DMARC Implementation: DMARC implementation prevents domain spoofing and unauthorized use of your email address.
- Sending Volume: Gradually increase sending volume to build a positive reputation and avoid triggering spam filters.
Key considerations
- Immediate Action: Disable the compromised email address immediately to prevent further damage.
- Security Sweep: Perform a full security sweep on systems that have accessed the compromised account.
- Review CX Platform: Review your CX platform and mailbox for suspicious outbound mail activity.
- Check Google Apps: Check the Google Apps management interface for more information and consider contacting Google support.
- Implement DMARC (Initial Policy): Start with a 'p=none' DMARC policy to monitor email streams before enforcing stricter policies.
- Gradual Volume Increase: Avoid sending large volumes of emails all at once, especially with new IPs or domains.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks mentions that Google is unlikely to suspend an account for reasons other than mail being sent via Google. He suggests Klaviyo is probably not involved and to review the CX platform and mailbox for suspicious activity, as well as checking the Google Apps management interface and contacting Google for more information.
26 Aug 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise shares that implementing DMARC is essential for protecting your domain from spoofing and phishing. This helps prevent unauthorized use of your email address, which can lead to suspension. They recommend starting with a 'p=none' policy to monitor your email streams and gradually move to stricter policies as you gain confidence.
5 Mar 2022 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
Google Workspace accounts are typically suspended for violations of the Acceptable Use Policy, including spamming, phishing, or other malicious activities. Identifying the specific reason within the Admin console is crucial. Common issues include being blacklisted, requiring a check with tools like MXToolbox. Preventing future suspensions involves proactive measures such as setting up alerts for suspicious activity, implementing two-factor authentication, auditing user permissions, and educating users about phishing and malware threats.
Key findings
- Policy Violations: Suspensions result from violations of Google Workspace's Acceptable Use Policy.
- Blacklisting: Being blacklisted is a common cause of sending issues and potential suspensions.
- Proactive Prevention: Preventing abuse involves setting up alerts, using 2FA, auditing permissions, and educating users.
Key considerations
- Check Admin Console: Check the Google Workspace Admin console for specific reasons for the suspension.
- Blacklist Check: Use MXToolbox or similar tools to check if your domain or IP is blacklisted and request removal if necessary.
- Implement Alerts: Set up alerts for suspicious activity within your Google Workspace account.
- Enable 2FA: Implement two-factor authentication for all users to enhance security.
- Audit Permissions: Regularly audit user permissions to ensure they are appropriate and minimize potential abuse.
- User Education: Educate users about phishing and malware threats to prevent them from unknowingly compromising the account.
Technical article
Documentation from MXToolbox explains that a common cause of email sending issues is being blacklisted. The documentation advises using MXToolbox's blacklist check tool to see if your domain or IP address is listed on any major blacklists and provides steps to request removal from those lists.
2 Aug 2021 - MXToolbox
Technical article
Documentation from Google Support explains that a Google Workspace account can be suspended for violations of the Google Workspace Acceptable Use Policy, such as spamming, phishing, or other malicious activities. The documentation advises checking the Admin console for specific reasons and following the provided steps to resolve the issue, which may involve contacting Google Workspace support.
2 May 2025 - Google Support
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