Beat Gmail Spam Update: Sending Bulk Email in 2024

With Gmail's 2024 Spam Update introducing stricter requirements for bulk email senders, maintaining high deliverability rates for cold emails has become more challenging yet more crucial than ever. 

This update emphasizes the importance of email authentication, easy unsubscribe options, and keeping spam rates low. In light of these changes, let's delve into how the updated 2024 Cold Email Checklist aligns with Gmail's new standards and can help ensure your cold emails reach their intended recipients without getting snagged by spam filters.

Gmail Spam Update 2024

Gmail is stepping up its game to make email communication even safer and more secure, especially against the evolving spam threats. Recognizing that email is a critical part of daily life, Gmail has been using AI to block over 99.9% of spam, phishing, and malware, effectively stopping nearly 15 billion unwanted emails each day. Despite this, the complexity and sophistication of online threats have grown since Gmail's inception nearly two decades ago.

To address these challenges, Gmail is introducing stricter requirements for bulk senders, those who send more than 5,000 messages to Gmail addresses in a single day. The focus is on enhancing email validation to ensure that senders are who they claim to be, a measure that has already reduced unauthenticated messages received by Gmail users by 75% since its implementation last year.

Starting in February 2024, Gmail will enforce new rules for these high-volume senders. They must authenticate their emails to verify their source, provide a straightforward one-click unsubscribe option, and comply with a clear spam rate threshold to minimize unwanted messages. These requirements are based on established best practices and are designed not only to secure Gmail users' inboxes but also to set a new standard in email communication industry-wide.

Gmail is not alone in advocating for these improvements; industry partners like Yahoo are committed to collaborating on these initiatives. The goal is to make these security measures a new norm across the email industry, benefiting users regardless of their email provider. Gmail provides guidance for senders to meet these standards ahead of the enforcement date, emphasizing the ongoing collective effort required to maintain a secure, user-friendly, and spam-free email ecosystem.

Best Practices to Maintain High Deliverability and Land in Primary Inbox

1. Warmup 2-4 Weeks

A proper warmup phase for your email accounts is essential. Email warmup, typically spanning 2-4 weeks, gradually increases the volume of sent emails, helping to establish a reputation for your email accounts as legitimate senders. This is particularly important under the new Gmail update, as authenticated and reputable senders are less likely to be marked as spam.

2. Parallel Warmups During Campaigns

Running parallel warmups at a 30-70 ratio or above during active campaigns ensures that your sending reputation continues to build positively. This strategy adapts well to Gmail's increased scrutiny by maintaining a healthy sender reputation, which is critical for avoiding the spam folder.

3. Rotating Secondary Domains for Outbound

Utilizing secondary domains for outbound emails can protect your primary domain's reputation if one gets flagged. This approach aligns with Gmail's focus on sender reputation and helps ensure uninterrupted email deliverability.

4. Remove All Private Gmail Leads

Gmail's update likely includes more stringent checks on unsolicited emails. Removing private Gmail leads from your lists can reduce the risk of being reported as spam, thus protecting your sender reputation.

5. Workspace, Domains, and Mailboxes Configuration

The configuration of one workspace to more than ten domains, with three mailboxes per domain, diversifies your sending sources. This can help distribute your email volume and minimize the risk of any single domain or mailbox being flagged as a spam source.

6. Lead Data Enrichment

Using tools like Clay or ListKit for lead data enrichment ensures that your email lists are up-to-date and relevant. Sending emails to engaged and interested recipients is crucial under the new Gmail standards, as it helps keep your spam complaint rates low.

7. Avoid Tracking Open Rates

In response to privacy concerns and Gmail's focus on user security, it's advisable to stop tracking open rates. This practice respects recipient privacy and aligns with the trend toward more secure email practices.

8. Remove Redundant Personalization

Over-personalization, such as mentioning the recipient's high school or university, may trigger spam filters or raise privacy concerns. Streamlining personalization to be relevant and respectful can improve email reception and deliverability.

9. Clear Pain-Point to Offer Balance

Your emails should clearly address a recipient's potential pain points and offer valuable solutions. This relevance is key to engaging recipients and keeping your emails out of the spam folder.

10. Spintax and Relevant Personalization

Using spintax for variability and ensuring personalization is relevant to the recipient can significantly enhance engagement without triggering spam filters. Personalized emails that are directly relevant to the recipient are more likely to be well-received.

11. Do Not Add Attachments or Images

Attachments and images can often trigger spam filters or raise suspicions about the email's legitimacy. In the context of Gmail's 2024 update, it's safer to avoid these elements to ensure your emails are not marked as spam.

Conclusion

In the face of Gmail's 2024 Spam Update, mastering email deliverability is more crucial than ever. Following the guidelines we've shared is key to making sure your emails hit the mark, reaching inboxes without falling prey to spam filters. 

But let's be honest, keeping up with these changes can feel like a full-time job. That's where Smartlead comes in. We've got your back with tools designed to improve your email deliverability, from automated warmups to smart inbox management, all while staying in line with Gmail's latest rules.

Imagine sending out your cold emails stress-free, knowing that Smartlead is handling the behind-the-scenes work to ensure your messages land right where they should. It's time to make that a reality.

Why not see for yourself? Sign up for Smartlead's 14-day free trial. Dive in, explore our features, and take your email campaigns to the next level. Let's tackle these email deliverability challenges together.