Many email providers (e.g. Outlook, Aol, Yahoo) will send all of their received mail through a blacklist filter before it gets to you. Usually this is useful, and will prevent you from receiving the bulk of the spam sent to you. Unfortunately, false reports run rampant and are quite hard to reverse once you've been flagged.
Emails sent from SPARK MEMBERSHIP may end up in recipients' spam or junk folders due to several factors, including the use of free email domains (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) and the lack of proper domain authentication. This article explains the reasons behind these issues and provides actionable steps to improve email deliverability.
In order to counter this, we can run a few verification steps on your email domain that will remove anything that might get your emails flagged.
To begin this process, please just message our team via the in-app chat and request to verify your email domain.
Shortly after you request this, you'll be sent an email with in-depth instructions on the next steps, which entails adding some records in your DNS. The process to achieve this is going to differ from provider to provider, but here is a short list of how to get it done for the most popular providers:
Google Domains: https://support.google.com/a/answer/47283?hl=en
Using a domain email (e.g., you@yourdomain.com) instead of free email services like Gmail, Yahoo, or AOL significantly improves email deliverability. Free email addresses are more likely to be flagged by spam filters, leading to delivery issues. Acquiring a domain email through providers like GoDaddy or MyDomain and authenticating it is highly recommended.
Additionally, sending emails through third-party platforms using free email domains increases the likelihood of being flagged as spam.
Why Domain Verification Helps
Domain verification not only prevents blacklisting but also ensures that your emails are authenticated, reducing the chances of being flagged as spam. This process involves setting up SPF and DKIM records in addition to CNAME records, which collectively improve your email's credibility with recipient servers.
Additionally, setting up DMARC records further enhances email authentication by providing instructions on how to handle messages that fail SPF or DKIM checks.
Troubleshooting Steps
If domain verification does not resolve all issues, consider the following:
Recipient-Side Issues:
Ask recipients to add your email address to their contacts and check all folders (Spam, Junk, Promotions, etc.).
Request recipients to whitelist your domain or adjust their filtering rules.
Review Email Logs:
Use email logs to confirm successful transmission and identify any errors. Provide detailed information to support teams if needed.
Verify Staff Permissions:
Ensure that email-sending permissions are enabled for all relevant staff accounts in your settings. Test email functionality after enabling permissions.
Update Automation Settings:
Ensure your domain email is set as the default "send from" address in your automation settings.
Manually update each automation step involving email actions, as mass updates are not available.
Email Content Best Practices:
Personalize your emails and segment your mailing list to improve engagement.
Use simple formatting and maintain a good HTML-to-text ratio.
Include an unsubscribe option to comply with email regulations and avoid being flagged as spam.
6. Warm Up Your Email Account:
Gradually increase your email sending volume to build a positive sender reputation.
Avoid sending large volumes of emails immediately after setting up a new domain.
Advanced Troubleshooting
Bounced Emails:
Verify the accuracy of recipient email addresses and address issues like full mailboxes or invalid domains.
Persistent Non-Delivery:
If emails fail to deliver despite proper domain authentication, consult with support teams and provide detailed logs for further investigation.
DNS Record Verification:
Double-check that the DNS records provided by your support team have been correctly added to your hosting provider. Incorrect or incomplete DNS records can lead to authentication failures.
FAQs
Can SPARK MEMBERSHIP Determine If Emails Were Delivered to Spam?
No, SPARK MEMBERSHIP cannot determine whether an email was delivered to a recipient's spam folder. However, authenticating your domain and following best practices can reduce the likelihood of emails being marked as spam.
Will Domain Authentication Guarantee Inbox Placement?
While domain authentication greatly improves deliverability, it does not guarantee inbox placement. Final email placement is determined by the recipient's email provider and their mailbox settings.