By: Anita O'Malley
As of February 1st, 2024, Google and Yahoo implemented new rules affecting email senders to @gmail and @yahoo addresses. These are supposed to combat spam, phishing, and email spoofing. For those who rely on email for lead nurturing and customer engagement, understanding and adhering to these new rules isn't optional.
What’s the Fix?
Following these Google and Yahoo guidelines can significantly boost email deliverability and inbox placement rates:
Use a branded email domain (e.g., @yourcompany.com) instead of free email services, which are often associated with spam.
Authenticate your sending domain with SPF (Sender Policy Framework) or DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) to establish legitimacy.
Maintain spam complaint rates below 0.3% (0.1% according to Google Postmaster Tools) to avoid being flagged as a spammer.
Implement Transport Layer Security (TLS) for secure email transmission.
Additional Guidelines for High-Volume Senders (Over 5,000 Emails per Day):
Adopt a DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) policy, even if initially set to "none."
Provide a prominent one-click unsubscribe option and process opt-out requests within two days to maintain compliance.
Bonus Tip: Regularly clean and update your email lists by removing inactive or outdated addresses to maintain a highly engaged subscriber base and improve email performance metrics.
Leadarati’s InBox Sentinel package can help you align your email marketing practices to these new security measures and leverage the power of email for your lead generation activities.
For more information, contact anita.omalley@leadarati.com