TL;DR

If Google or lemlist pauses your sending: Reduce daily volume (Settings → Sending limits - for new mailboxes (< 1 year), don’t go over 40 emails/day; if you keep lemwarm as signal and run warm-up + lemlist, aim for 60–70 emails/day), set up custom tracking domain (Settings → Custom tracking domain), disable open tracking on short emails (Campaign Settings → Tracking), and verify DNS records (SPF/DKIM configured). Use Google Workspace (not free Gmail), gradually increase volume on new domains, and send clean, compliant content. Test with small batch - if delivers without warnings, issue resolved.

Symptoms

Warning email from lemlist about unusual activity or temporary pause
Google rejects emails with "blocked" status in logs
Emails stop sending despite leads launched and scheduled correctly
Sudden drop in deliverability or spike in bounce rate
Account automatically blocked after second flag from lemlist monitoring

Environment

Applies to:

Users sending cold email via lemlist using Google Workspace or Gmail
New senders ramping up volume quickly
Users with free/trial Google accounts
Accounts with high send rates, no custom tracking domain, or missing DNS records

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Reduce daily sending volume

Go to Settings → Sending limits

For optimal results, we strongly recommend not going over 40 emails/day for a new mailbox (< 1 year).

If you keep lemwarm as a signal and run warm-up + lemlist, a good practice is to stay around 60–70 emails/day.

Sending limits page showing where to set the daily maximum emails sent in 24h.

✅ Verify: Check Settings → Limits - daily quota below limit, schedule doesn't exceed it

2. Set up a custom tracking domain

Go to Settings → Custom tracking domain

Add subdomain (e.g., links.yourdomain.com)

Create DNS records at your domain provider:

CNAME record pointing to lemlist

Wait for DNS propagation (up to 24 hours)

Verify in lemlist

✅ Verify: Custom tracking domain shows Active status, link tracking works

3. Disable open tracking for short emails

For one-sentence or very short emails:

Go to Campaign Settings → Tracking

Toggle "Track opens" OFF for short email steps

Prevents tracking pixel flagging spam filters

Campaign tracking settings showing toggles for tracking opens, link clicks, and replies.

✅ Verify: Toggle is grey/off, short emails deliver normally

4. Use a professional domain with proper DNS

Switch from free Gmail:

Don't send from @gmail.com
Use Google Workspace with a custom domain

Configure DNS records:

Verify SPF record is configured correctly
Verify DKIM record is configured correctly
Add DMARC record (optional but recommended)

Check DNS at your domain registrar or use MXToolbox

✅ Verify: DNS tools show SPF and DKIM as valid, test emails reach inbox

5. Ramp up volume gradually

For new domains/mailboxes:

Start with 10-20 emails per day
Increase by 10-20% weekly
For new mailboxes (< 1 year), aim to stay at 40 emails/day max for best deliverability
If you keep lemwarm active and run warm-up + lemlist, you can typically stabilize around 60–70 emails/day

Avoid trial accounts:

Don't send from the Google Workspace free trial
Wait until the account is fully activated and paid

✅ Verify: Campaign reports show a gradual volume increase, no warnings

6. Send clean, compliant content

Avoid spam triggers:

No excessive formatting
Limit images
Avoid spam words ("FREE", "Act now", etc.)

Include required elements:

Physical address in footer
Unsubscribe option (reply with "unsubscribe" or link)

Use proper list hygiene:

Send only to engaged, opted-in recipients
Remove bounces immediately

✅ Verify: Spam testing tools show low scores, normal open rates

Confirm It's Fixed

✓ Campaign schedule within recommended limits, not exceeding quota

✓ Custom tracking domain shows Active, link clicks tracked

✓ Open tracking disabled on short emails, deliverability improved

✓ SPF and DKIM validate successfully, test emails land in inbox

✓ Volume increased gradually without new warnings or blocks

✓ Content complies with best practices, recipients can unsubscribe

✓ No warning emails from lemlist or Google

Why It Happens

Google flags accounts for unusual sending patterns: sudden volume spikes, high bounce rates, missing authentication, or spam-like content. lemlist's monitoring system pauses accounts with risky activity to protect community deliverability.

Prevent this: Maintain consistent sending cadence, respect daily limits (especially on new mailboxes), use custom tracking domain, authenticate with SPF/DKIM, avoid free/trial accounts, ramp up gradually, write compliant emails, provide unsubscribe option.