| Are your email reaching their intended recipients? Spam and phishing emails has seen a twofold increase in both volume and financial losses annually, prompting major email service providers like Gmail and Yahoo to ramp up their filtering efforts. As a business owner sending emails under your own domain, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to ensure the delivery of your emails and stay free from domain blacklists. I got some simple tips to help you with exactly that this week!
Google and Yahoo implemented significant changes to their spam filtering on February 1st of this year, resulting in numerous deliverability issues we have been seeing. Here’s a brief overview of the key points from the new requirements:
1- Enhanced authentication: Your domain must be properly configured with DKIM, SPF, and DMARC records to authenticate all outgoing emails.
2- Adhere to sending limits: Mass email campaigns under your domain should not exceed 5,000 emails per day.
3- Minimize spam complaints: Ensure that your spam complaint rate remains below the 0.3% threshold.
4- Provide easy unsubscribe options for all mass emails.
Assuming you already follow proper email marketing practices, let’s focus on enhanced authentication from the list above, as it is often the biggest source of confusion and problems we encounter.
What is enhanced authentication?
Domain records dictate what happens when someone emails you or tries to visit your website. These records also serve to legitimize you when sending out emails. Some records, like DMARC, require ongoing monitoring to manage properly. The goal is to ensure that your domain and all associated email services are recognized as legitimate senders on your behalf.
What happens if I do nothing?
Neglecting proper authentication could result in your emails being marked as spam or, in more severe cases, your domain being blacklisted, leading to widespread blocking of your messages by email services.
How can I check if my domain records are properly set?
You can use tools like [MXToolbox] (https://mxtoolbox.com/dmarc.aspx) to check your DMARC records. If you don’t see a green checkmark, like this [example] (https://share.zight.com/KouK1PNj), your records need updating. We’re happy to assist you with this!
How can I check if my domain is blacklisted?
Various spam filters are employed by different providers. If your domain appears on a blacklist, it’s bad news, as this can significantly impact mail delivery. You can check for blacklists using [MXToolbox] (https://mxtoolbox.com/blacklists.aspx). If you encounter any blocks, please contact us immediately for assistance!
Why do domain records need monitoring?
Domain records determine where your emails and website visitors are directed. Incorrect records can disrupt email communications or lead to website hijacking. Monitoring domain records helps identify any inadvertent changes, domain expirations, or cyber hacks. Furthermore, it ensures that new services you sign up for, such as Mailchimp or CRM systems, are properly identified, preventing your emails from being flagged as spam.
Facing email communication disruptions can wreak havoc on your business operations. Whether it’s from your IT partner, web developer, or marketing agency, getting help to ensure your domain is properly configured and monitored is crucial in mitigating these issues.
While I can’t avoid discussing necessary evils like this one at times, I look forward to bringing you a more enjoyable topic next week. That’s a promise!
Best regards,
– Burak Sarac, Team Lead
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