Even Google Can SPAM
As someone who works in the email delivery business, I make a point of checking my SPAM folder, and reading many of the emails that land up there.
Just like anyone else in this industry, I like to understand why emails end up in the SPAM folder, especially when everything else for the sending company is in perfect order.
It’s a fact that even with a perfect IP reputation, all the authentication protocols in place, and excellent email copy, some email STILL end up in the SPAM folder of services like Gmail, Yahoo Mail and Hotmail.
Having a better understanding of what triggers the SPAM filters in the 1st place, helps us to guide our customers to write better emails, and thus staying out of the SPAM folder.
So, yesterday I was doing my normal SPAM folder scan on our Google Apps account, and was quite bemused when I saw an email from Google in there.
My first thought was that is was some kind of Phising attack.
I opened the email, and double checked the source headers, links, etc, and, sure enough, it WAS from Google!
So, Gmail managed to place their OWN marketing email in the SPAM folder!
What is disturbing is the fact that the email was pretty good as far as marketing messages goes, and there was no 100% obvious trigger, OTHER than the word FREE being in all CAPS.
If a GOOD email like that FROM Google can end up in the Gmail SPAM folder, what chance does outside companies stand with getting to the Gmail Inbox?
