Your email account needs to be secure. That’s why Gmail has renewed the requirements for bulk senders to protect their users from spam, phishing and malware.
These are some of the latest requirements you’ll need to comply with:
Email Authentication
Make sure you set up email authentication for each of your sending domains at your email provider.
Google is always checking on messages sent to Gmail accounts, so it’s important that you keep up-to-date SPF, DKIM and DMARC. If you want to play the rebel, your messages will be seen as spam or rejected.
In case you’re not familiar with these concepts, we’ll break them down for you:
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SPF (Sender Policy Framework): SPF lets domain owners specify which servers can send emails for their domain. It helps prevent spoofing by checking if incoming emails are from an authorized server. Think of it as an email guest list.
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DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): DKIM adds a digital signature to emails using a private key. The recipient’s server uses a public key to verify this signature, ensuring the email hasn’t been tampered with. It’s like a wax seal on a letter.
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DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance): DMARC builds on SPF and DKIM, telling email servers how to handle emails that fail these checks. It also provides reports on email authentication. It’s like setting rules for dealing with party crashers and getting a report of all attempts.
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ARC (Authenticated Received Chain): ARC maintains email authentication results even when emails are forwarded. Each server handling the email adds its own verification, creating a trusted chain. It’s like a chain of custody for email trust.
Unsubscribe Button
At this point, there’s no need to say that in a perfect world you should send messages to people who want to hear from you. But if you’re more of the “insistent” type and your emails are marked as spam, the only end of the story that you can expect is… low reputation. That’s why, one of the crucial elements to bear in mind is the button of “Unsusbscribe”
If they want to leave, let them go. Giving people the option to unsubscribe from your messages can actually boost how many people open your emails, click on links, and overall make sending emails smoother.
Sending Guidelines
To make sure your emails reach Gmail inboxes safely, take a look at these helpful tips.
DO’S
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Ensure smooth email authentication by aligning SPF and DKIM at the organizational level, especially if you’re using an email provider.
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Keep it simple by sending all messages from one IP address, or if you have to use multiple IPs, assign each to a specific message type.
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Ensure consistency in your From: email addresses across message categories; for example, use sales@solarmora.com for sales receipts, deals@solarmora.com for promotions, and alert@solarmora.com for account notifications. Remember, consistency not only enhances brand recognition but also boosts deliverability and trustworthiness.
DON’TS
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Avoid mixing different types of content in one message; it can confuse your recipients.
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Remember, never pretend to be someone you’re not or send emails from domains without permission—it’s called spoofing, and Gmail won’t like it for sure.
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Also, don’t buy email lists from other companies. Seriously. Don’t. It will lead to spam reports. Only send messages to people who’ve given you the green light.
Increase Sending Volume Slowly
We like your enthusiasm. But hey, dose it. Start with a low and consistent sending volume to users that like you and then you can increase the volume little by little. Once you arrive at the desired quantity it’s time to start monitoring the server responses, spam rate and the domain’s reputation.
Ready for the Change?
Navigating these changes is all about finding your rhythm, regardless of your business size. If you’re just starting out with a simple platform, adapting should be a breeze. But for bigger, more established companies, it might take a bit more time. Managing in-house email servers can be trickier than cloud-based ones. But with a bit of patience and the right guidance, you’ll be cruising through those updates in no time!