Hey lemlister!
Starting February 1st, 2024, Google and Yahoo are rolling out new email requirements aimed at reducing spam and improving email deliverability. If your company sends emails to Google or Yahoo users, it’s time to act fast to ensure compliance and protect your domain’s reputation.
Key Update: Organizations with an abuse complaint rate of 0.3% or higher will face automatic blocking of all messages.
Here’s how to stay compliant and avoid disruptions:
Who Does This Affect?
All senders of commercial email.
Bulk email campaigns.
Email providers and deliverability strategies.
Key Sender Guidelines for Compliance
1. Authentication is a Must 🔒
To protect your domain and prevent spoofing:
Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC:
SPF: Ensures only approved IP addresses can send emails on your behalf, stopping spoofing and phishing attempts.
DKIM: Adds cryptographic authentication to vouch for the legitimacy of your emails.
DMARC: Fine-tunes email authentication and prevents spoofing by aligning SPF and DKIM policies.
💡 Work with your IT department to confirm these are properly set up, and refer to our DNS setup articles for guidance.
2. Valid DNS and IP Configuration
Ensure your sending domains/IPs have valid forward and reverse DNS records (PTR).
Set up reverse DNS records pointing to your domain using Google Admin Toolbox Dig.
Monitor shared IPs for blocklists and reputation using Google Postmaster Tools.
Avoid impersonating Gmail in From headers, as Gmail’s DMARC policy could block delivery.
3. Unsubscribe Links
Every message must include a one-click unsubscribe link.
Process unsubscribe requests within two days.
Easily set up unsubscribe links in your Outreach application by referring to this guide.
4. Spam Rate Threshold
Keep your spam rate below 0.10% to maintain smooth delivery.
If your spam rate exceeds 0.30%, messages may be blocked or end up in spam folders.
Monitor your sending reputation and abuse complaints through Google Postmaster.
Additional Recommendations
Maintain a Clean Email List: Regularly remove bounced addresses, unengaged recipients, and opt-outs.
Avoid Spammy Content: Write relevant, valuable messages that steer clear of spam trigger words.
Optimize Sending Volume: Avoid sending more than 100 emails per provider daily for bulk campaigns.
Why This Matters
These updates from Google and Yahoo aim to create a more secure and enjoyable inbox experience. While the changes may require adjustments, they mark an important step toward better email deliverability and domain security.
Let’s embrace these improvements and ensure we continue delivering valuable, trusted content to our recipients.
For further assistance or clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team. 🙌