Whitelisting (soon to be known as Allow lists) your email will help it get through a lot of false-positive errors big spam blocking services tend to have. Some might think these spam services do this on purpose, so you pay for the white list. I’m not saying that. Either way, if your email is crucial, then it’s worth the small fees to get it through these automated drudges. Here is a current list of the top White list services available now.
- Barracuda is a popular stand-alone firewall system
- verizon.com – A huge telecom company (In case you are from another planet)
- aol.com – Yes they are still a company, less the free
- ReturnPath Is expensive but one of the best: https://www.validity.com/everest/sender-certification/
- Certified Senders Alliance (paid whitelisting service of the German ECO organization) https://certified-senders.org/services/
- ISIPP (Institute for Spam and Internet Public Policy) https://www.isipp.com/: Commercial services to help mass-mailers improve delivery rates.
- Whitelisted.org is another whitelist it can’t hurt to add to: Whitelist org
Also, it’s a good idea to tell Hotmail that your IP is o.k. here: Hotmail Whitelist
Email should be fine with any normal hosting package, we already have set all the important stuff like reverse DNS, DMARC, and SPF records. We even paid for some of these services, just in case it helps any.
Getting your email whitelisted with popular Internet Service Providers (ISPs) is crucial for ensuring that your emails reach your subscribers’ inboxes and not their spam folders. While the exact criteria and methods can vary from one ISP to another, there are several best practices you can follow to improve your chances of getting whitelisted and maintaining a good sender reputation:
- Follow Email Authentication Standards:
- Implement SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (Domain Keys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) records for your domain. These authentication methods help verify your identity as a sender and protect against email spoofing.
- Register for Feedback Loops:
- Many ISPs offer feedback loops (FBLs). By registering, you’ll receive notifications when recipients mark your emails as spam. This allows you to take action, such as removing those subscribers from your list, to maintain a good sender reputation.
- Adhere to CAN-SPAM Act Requirements:
- Ensure your emails comply with the CAN-SPAM Act or other relevant email legislation (e.g., GDPR in Europe). This includes providing a clear way for recipients to opt out of future emails and including your physical mailing address in your emails.
- Maintain a Good Sender Reputation:
- A high sender score, which reflects the health of your sending domain, is crucial for getting whitelisted. Avoid sending practices that lead to high bounce rates or spam complaints. Regularly clean your email list to remove inactive or unengaged subscribers.
- Use a Double Opt-in Process:
- This process involves sending a confirmation email to new subscribers asking them to verify their email addresses. This not only confirms their interest in receiving your emails but also reduces the chance of spam complaints.
- Provide Value in Your Emails:
- Send content that is relevant and valuable to your audience. High engagement rates with your emails can improve your sender reputation, making ISPs more likely to whitelist your emails.
- Monitor Your Email Deliverability:
- Use tools and services to monitor your email deliverability and reputation. These tools can provide insights into issues that may affect your ability to get whitelisted, such as blacklists or spam traps.
- Apply for Whitelisting Directly When Possible:
- Some ISPs allow senders to apply for whitelisting directly. The application process may involve providing detailed information about your email program, including how you collect email addresses and how you manage your email list.
- Encourage Subscribers to Add You to Their Address Book:
- Directly ask your subscribers to add your sending email address to their address book or safe sender list. This personal form of whitelisting can significantly improve your email deliverability to those individuals.
- Be Transparent and Consistent:
- Use a consistent “From” name and email address to build familiarity with your subscribers. Transparency about who you are and what kind of content subscribers can expect from you is key to maintaining a positive relationship with them.
Remember, the goal of these practices is not just to get whitelisted, but to be a responsible and respected email sender. Consistently following these best practices will not only help with ISPs but also build trust with your subscribers, leading to higher engagement and success in your email marketing efforts.