Introduction

As of February 2024, Google and Yahoo have implemented mandatory email authentication measures and policy changes regarding consent and engagement. Non-compliance can lead to emails being delayed, blocked, or marked as spam. This guide will help you meet these requirements effectively.

Table of Contents

1. Elevate Your Brand with a Branded Sending Domain

2. Establish DMARC Email Authentication for Your Sending Domain

3. Ensure Brand Consistency

4. Avoid Pretending to be Gmail in the "From" Headers

5. Make it Easy to Unsubscribe

6. Optimize Email Delivery: Keep Your Spam Rate Below 0.30%

1. Elevate Your Brand with a Branded Sending Domain

A branded sending domain enhances your sender reputation and improves inbox branding. From February 2024, this is crucial for bulk senders to Google and Yahoo users.

Steps:

• Set up a branded sending domain.

• Warm up your sending infrastructure gradually over 2-4 weeks.

2. Establish DMARC Email Authentication for Your Sending Domain

DMARC is a standard enhancing SPF and DKIM, crucial for email security.

Implementation Steps:

1. Visit your DNS hosting provider and create a TXT DNS record.

2. Choose TXT as the record type.

3. Set the host value as '_DMARC.' Include your domain.

4. Create a DMARC record like 'v=DMARC1; p=none;' and add it to the DNS TXT value.

5. Save and verify the correct addition in DNS.

3. Ensure Brand Consistency

Align your "from" address with your branded domain for a cohesive identity.

Tips:

• Make sure your "from" address domain matches the root domain of your branded sending domain.

4. Avoid Pretending to be Gmail in the "From" Headers

Avoid using Gmail or Yahoo addresses in your "From" header to ensure proper email delivery.

5. Make it Easy to Unsubscribe

Enable easy unsubscribe options in your emails.

How to Comply:

• Include a clear, easy-to-find unsubscribe link in your email body or footer.

• Use services that automatically add a one-click unsubscribe link in the email header.

6. Optimize Email Delivery: Keep Your Spam Rate Below 0.30%

Ensure your recipients want your emails to avoid being marked as spam.

Tips:

• Keep spam complaints below 1 in every 1,000 emails.

• Regularly check Yahoo spam complaints and use Google Postmaster Tools for Gmail.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can ensure compliance with Google and Yahoo's updated email sender requirements. This will enhance your email deliverability and maintain your reputation as a reliable sender.