Why was my Google Workspace email sending name suspended and how do I fix it?
Michael Ko
Co-founder & CEO, Suped
Published 24 Jun 2025
Updated 19 Aug 2025
5 min read
Receiving a notification that your Google Workspace email sending name has been suspended can be alarming. It often implies that Google suspects your account has been compromised and is being used to send spam. While your email service provider (ESP), like Klaviyo, might not show immediate issues, the suspension directly impacts your ability to send emails from your domain through Google Workspace.
The key distinction here is where the email originates. Even if you use an ESP for marketing campaigns, direct emails, replies, or transactional emails sent through your Google Workspace account or any connected platforms (like customer experience tools) can trigger a suspension if they violate Google's mail policies. Understanding the root cause is the first step to resolving the issue and preventing future occurrences.
This guide will walk you through the common reasons for Google Workspace email suspensions, the immediate steps you should take to restore service, and long-term strategies to maintain a healthy email sending reputation and avoid being blocklisted (or blacklisted) again.
What triggers a Google Workspace email suspension?
When Google suspends an email sending name, it's typically due to activities associated with that specific email account or, in some cases, the broader Google Workspace domain. The most frequent triggers are related to security compromises and problematic sending behaviors.
Compromised account
An unauthorized party gains access to an email account and uses it to send spam, phishing emails, or other malicious content. This is a common reason cited by Google for suspensions, as it directly impacts the security of the email ecosystem. Your email might be suspended if Google detects suspicious login activity or a sudden, unusual surge in outbound email volume not typical for your account.
If a sales team member is using an email account with sales tools for cold outreach, and these tools are connected to your Google Workspace, excessive or unsolicited emails could also lead to a suspension.
Spamming activity
Even if the account isn't compromised, direct sending of unsolicited bulk emails (spam) from Google Workspace can lead to suspension. This includes high bounce rates, numerous spam complaints from recipients, or sending content that violates Google's acceptable use policies. Google is very sensitive to behaviors that negatively impact its users' inboxes.
A low Gmail domain reputation can be a precursor to such actions, as it indicates a history of problematic sending.
It's important to differentiate between emails sent directly from your Google Workspace account and those sent through a third-party ESP like Klaviyo. While your ESP manages its own sending infrastructure, Google Workspace accounts, when used as the sending identity (e.g., via SMTP relay or connected apps), are still subject to Google's scrutiny. If a suspension occurs, Google's telemetry likely points to activity that originated from its own servers or through an authenticated connection to your Google Workspace account.
Immediate steps to restore and secure
When faced with a Google Workspace email suspension, prompt action is crucial. The primary goal is to regain access and stop any unauthorized sending immediately.
Access your Google admin console
Identify the suspended account: Determine if it's a single user account or if your entire Google Workspace domain is affected.
Log in with an administrator account: You will need admin privileges to review and modify user settings. Google provides guidance on how to restore a suspended account.
Secure the compromised account
Change passwords: Immediately reset the password for the suspended email account and any administrator accounts.
Enable 2-Step Verification (2SV): Ensure 2SV is enforced for all users, especially those with admin access, to add an extra layer of security.
Review connected apps: Disconnect any third-party applications that have access to the suspended account if you don't recognize them or no longer use them.
Investigate sending activity
Check audit logs: In the Google Admin console, examine email audit logs for unusual sending patterns or large volumes of emails sent from the compromised account.
Review CX platforms and direct sending: If you use customer experience platforms or allow direct sending from Google Workspace, investigate if any users are sending unsolicited cold emails or engaging in high-volume, unapproved messaging.
If the suspended email is critical for receiving support tickets, temporarily forwarding emails to another address or setting up an auto-reply might be necessary while you resolve the issue. If you restore an account without addressing the underlying cause, it's highly likely to be suspended again.
Contacting Google Workspace support directly can provide more specific details about the reason for suspension and guide you through the reactivation process. They often have telemetry data that can pinpoint the exact problematic activity.
Preventing future suspensions
Beyond immediate fixes, proactive measures are essential to prevent future Google Workspace email suspensions. This involves strengthening your email security protocols and consistently monitoring your sending practices.
Implement robust email authentication
Strong email authentication helps legitimate emails reach the inbox and prevents bad actors from spoofing your domain. Ensure your domain has correctly configured SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Specifies which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Adds a digital signature to your outgoing emails, verifying that the email has not been tampered with in transit.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance): Builds on SPF and DKIM, telling receiving mail servers how to handle emails that fail authentication and providing valuable reports on your email traffic. A strong DMARC policy can help prevent spoofing and protect your domain's reputation. If you're encountering issues with broken DKIM records and emails going to spam, addressing these is crucial.
Here's an example of a DMARC record that sends reports to a dedicated email address:
Regularly monitor your Google Workspace accounts for unusual activity. Use Google Postmaster Tools to keep an eye on your domain reputation, spam rate, and delivery errors. Educate your team, especially those who send emails directly or through connected applications, about safe sending practices and the dangers of cold emailing and spam. This includes understanding what might cause emails to be blocked by Google, leading to a suspension.
If you find your domain's sender reputation is low, immediate remediation steps are necessary to avoid further issues, including suspensions or being blocklisted.
Staying informed and proactive about your email security and deliverability is key. Regular audits and a clear understanding of Google's email sending guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of future suspensions.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Act quickly to identify and address the root cause of the suspension, whether it's a compromised account or sending policy violation.
Implement strong authentication protocols like DMARC, SPF, and DKIM to prevent spoofing and improve deliverability.
Regularly monitor your Google Workspace audit logs and Google Postmaster Tools for suspicious activity and reputation metrics.
Educate all team members on email sending best practices, especially when using third-party tools connected to Google Workspace.
Common pitfalls
Ignoring the initial suspension warning, as issues can escalate quickly and impact your entire domain.
Failing to thoroughly investigate all potential sending points, including direct Gmail use and connected CX platforms.
Not implementing or improperly configuring DMARC, leaving your domain vulnerable to spoofing and abuse.
Focusing solely on immediate reactivation without addressing the underlying security vulnerabilities or sending behaviors.
Expert tips
If your support email is suspended, consider setting up temporary forwarding or an auto-reply while you investigate to maintain communication.
Engage Google Workspace support for specific insights into the suspension, as their telemetry can be very revealing.
Regularly review your Google Workspace user permissions and connected applications to minimize potential attack vectors.
Leverage DMARC reports to gain visibility into all email sending sources claiming to be your domain, legitimate or otherwise.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says Google is unlikely to suspend an account for reasons other than mail being sent via Google, meaning third-party ESPs are probably not involved.
2024-01-24 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says that a suspended Google Workspace account implies compromise, so a full security sweep on systems that accessed the account is necessary.
2024-01-24 - Email Geeks
Maintaining a healthy email sending environment
A Google Workspace email suspension, especially one linked to suspected spamming or compromise, is a serious deliverability issue. It signals that Google's systems have detected activity that threatens the integrity of their platform and the trust of their users. Your immediate response should focus on isolating the problem, securing your accounts, and communicating with Google.
Long-term success hinges on robust email authentication, diligent monitoring, and fostering a culture of secure email practices within your organization. By implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and regularly reviewing audit logs and connected applications, you can significantly mitigate the risks of future suspensions and protect your valuable sender reputation. Remember, a proactive approach to email security and deliverability is always more effective than a reactive one.
