The changes coming into effect in February 2024 may seem complex at first glance, but with thoughtful structuring and meticulous planning, clever marketers will continue to achieve good deliverability rates for their newsletters.
- Anna Maria Stranieri
In this post, we will guide you on navigating the challenges of implementing new security initiatives from industry giants like Google and Yahoo.
Discover the key factors that will play a crucial role in future deliverability, learn about authentication methods such as DKIM, SPF, and DMARC, and understand how to execute the authentication processes in your systems, such as HubSpot.
Three key factors are crucial for achieving good deliverability rates.
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For precise customer communication: Ensure your spam complaint rate consistently stays below 0.3%. Provide value by sending content that truly resonates with your readers. The relevance of your messages is a crucial factor for compelling email marketing campaigns.
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To foster a respectful dialogue with your subscribers: Implement a straightforward opt-out process. Offering a seamless way to unsubscribe enhances user trust, underscores transparency, and promotes user-friendliness.
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Maintaining the integrity of your brand: Authenticating your emails through protocols like DKIM, SPF, and DMARC is not a luxury but a necessity. It ensures that your company is perceived as a trustworthy source of messages and safeguards your customers against fraudulent spoofing attempts.
Check out the information box for a detailed guide on correctly setting up entries in your email tool, such as HubSpot.
These new guidelines go beyond mere regulations; they represent an investment in the security and satisfaction of users. A safer email environment also means respecting the tolerance for frustration of your recipients. The "Easy-Opt-Out" feature acknowledges this shift, allowing users to decide which content is relevant to them.
Recognize the growing importance of email authentication. A robust system that effectively thwarts fraud attempts not only increases the likelihood of your emails being delivered but also affirms your credibility in the digital marketplace.
So, what's next? A clear Preference Center that empowers your customers to control their communication, seamlessly integrated opt-out functionality, and a complaint rate well below the required threshold are not just best practices but a concrete plan for future success.
Another crucial topic: Google intends to deactivate inactive accounts, which could have subtle yet impactful effects on your delivery rates. Therefore, be proactive in regularly reviewing your mailing lists to prevent bounces and associated damage to your sender reputation.
The world of digital marketing is ever-evolving, and as specialists in email marketing, we must continuously adapt to the waves of change. Our strategies need to be as dynamic as the environments in which we operate.
View these new challenges as opportunities to refine your campaigns and build even stronger connections with your customers. With precise messages that reach their destination securely, your email marketing becomes the reliable messenger of your brand.
Invest in adjusting your email strategies now, and rest assured that your messages will make their way into the inbox. An experienced partner in email marketing can help you stay one step ahead of your competition. Maximum engagement and increased delivery rates await those who are ready to embrace these changes.
SPF acts as a gatekeeper, verifying if an email originates from an authorized server. Think of it as having a list of trusted couriers (mail servers) permitted to deliver letters on your behalf. Any email coming from a server not on this list is flagged as suspicious, preventing the misuse of your email address for spam or fraudulent messages.
DKIM serves as a seal or signature for your emails, adding a digital signature that can be verified to ensure the email truly comes from you and hasn't been tampered with in transit. It's like sealing your letter; if the seal remains intact upon arrival, the recipient can trust that the letter hasn't been opened or altered.
DMARC combines SPF and DKIM, providing instructions to email recipients on how to handle emails lacking correct SPF or DKIM authentication. Essentially, DMARC says, "If an email claiming to be from my domain lacks the proper courier lists (SPF) or seal (DKIM), treat it as suspicious and notify me." It also helps establish protocols for reporting such suspicious emails, empowering email senders to better understand and prevent email abuse.
Implement Email Authentication, for instance in HubSpot.
To authenticate your domain for email delivery in HubSpot, simply follow these steps:
In the dialogue box that appears, select the "Email Delivery" option and then click on "Link."
SPF, DKIM & DMARC Records
Configuring the records in your DNS settings:
Add HubSpot's SPF record as a TXT record to your DNS provider.
Don't forget to copy the necessary data from HubSpot and input it into your DNS settings.
Keep in mind that if you are using another email service alongside HubSpot, you may need to adjust your existing SPF record.
Add two CNAME records with your DNS provider.
Copy the values from the "Host" and "Required Data" columns in HubSpot and paste them into the respective fields of your DNS provider.
Set up a DMARC TXT record with your DNS provider.
HubSpot suggests a basic policy, but feel free to customize the entry to fit your specific needs by adding additional properties.
Simply copy the data from HubSpot and input it accordingly in your DNS settings.
Verification and Problem-Solving
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Not authenticated: None of the authentication methods have been set up correctly.
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Partially authenticated: DKIM is set up correctly, SPF and DMARC still need to be checked.
- Authenticated: All three methods (DKIM, SPF, and DMARC) are correctly set up and verified.
If there are any issues, the "Continue setup" button will appear in HubSpot to check and potentially correct the relevant DNS records.
Now you are ready to successfully kickstart your email marketing journey!