Sending E-mail Newsletters to Gmail Users is Going to Spam Folder

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Sending E-mail Newsletters to Gmail Users is Going to Spam Folder

vlow

5:58 pm on Jul 11, 2011 (gmt 0)

Hey guys, the newsletter that people sign up for on my website is going to the Bulk folder for 100% of Gmail users. I think this is because the unsubscribe process is not that clear since we have a "Change Settings" link at the bottom rather than "Unsubscribe Now" type of message. Consequently, I think that some users may have hit the "Spam" button in Gmail causing all of our Gmail e-mails to go to the Bulk folder.

I've changed this and also followed all of the guidelines found here:

[mail.google.com...]

My question is, what are the next steps? Do we need to contact Google to get us off of the doghouse? (Kinda similar to filing for reconsiderating after being blacklisted for Google organic rankings). I've tried reaching out to Gmail several times to no avail. From what I've heard, Gmail is impossible to get a hold of.

What are some alternative solutions to this problem? Would changing the domain or IP that we're sending from? Any other ideas? Thanks in advance.

Hoople

6:40 pm on Jul 11, 2011 (gmt 0)

Have you done EVERYTHING in the "Authentication & Identification" section? I would strongly advise you do so.

Another item to check is your message itself. Is a plain text portion included? Have you run it thru a SPAM index checking tool to tweek it's wording? Sometimes a different worrd with the same meaning has a HUGE influence on SPAM criteria. Example general checking tool [isnotspam.com ] Better ones require sign-up.

Sorry if the CAPS seem shouting, not. For emphasis only :-)

rocknbil

3:49 pm on Jul 12, 2011 (gmt 0)

Also hang out at the SpamAssassin site - there are lots of triggers they reveal there too, many on a more technical level. But most likely it's the wording of the content.

Hoople

4:06 pm on Jul 12, 2011 (gmt 0)

RE: 'SpamAssassin site' - a good entry point there: Some Tips for Legitimate Senders to Avoid False Positives [wiki.apache.org]

vlow

2:50 am on Jul 22, 2011 (gmt 0)

wow thanks guys, so far very good advice.

Hoople: I will revisit the checklist and make sure everything meets the guidelines. Will get back with findings.