Meeting Google and Yahoo’s Email Sender Requirements

Overview

Starting February 2024, Google and Yahoo introduced mandatory email authentication and engagement requirements for all senders. These updates ensure stronger security, prevent spoofing, and improve inbox trust.

Failure to comply can cause:

• Emails being blocked or delayed

• Messages landing in spam

• Potential reputation damage for your domain

This guide explains how PXME users can remain compliant and keep deliverability high.

1. Enhance Your Brand Identity with a Branded Sending Sub-Domain

• A branded sub-domain removes “sent via msgsndr.com” from your emails.

• It strengthens domain reputation and improves inbox placement.

• Gmail and Yahoo require bulk senders to use a branded domain.

Pro Tip: Warm up your domain gradually over 2–4 weeks after setup.
? See PXME’s guide: How to Set Up a Dedicated Sending Domain

2. Establish DMARC Email Authentication

What is DMARC?

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) builds on SPF and DKIM to verify emails and tell mailbox providers how to handle failed authentication attempts.

Who Needs It?

• Required if sending 5,000+ emails per day (including shared domain users).

Setup Steps:

1. Check if you already have DMARC (use a tool like Dmarcian).

2. If not, log in to your DNS provider and add a TXT record:

   • Host/Name: _dmarc

   • Value: v=DMARC1; p=none;

3. Save changes and verify with a DMARC checker.

4. Start with p=none, then gradually move to stricter settings (quarantine → reject).

3. Maintain Brand Consistency

• Your From Address must match your branded domain.

• Example:

  • Branded domain: lc.yourdomain.com

  • Valid From Address: hello@yourdomain.com

This is required for DMARC alignment.

4. Do Not Impersonate Gmail or Yahoo

• Never send emails from @gmail.com or @yahoo.com addresses.

• These will be rejected or quarantined under the new rules.

• Always send from your own verified branded domain.

5. Make It Easy to Unsubscribe

• Gmail and Yahoo require one-click unsubscribe.

• PXME automatically inserts a compliant unsubscribe header for bulk emails.

• You must also include a visible unsubscribe link in the body/footer of every email.

This protects compliance and reduces complaints.

6. Keep Spam Complaints Below 0.30%

• If more than 3 out of 1,000 recipients mark your email as spam:

  • Gmail/Yahoo may delay, spam-folder, or block future emails.

How to Monitor:

• Use Google Postmaster Tools for Gmail spam rates.

• Use Yahoo Spam Reports for Yahoo spam rates.

Best Practices:

• Email only opted-in contacts.

• Clean lists regularly.

• Optimize subject lines and content for relevance.

FAQ

Q1: What happens if I don’t set up DMARC?
Your emails will be more likely to land in spam, get blocked, or be spoofed.

Q2: How do I comply with “From Address” rules?
Always use an address that matches your branded sending domain (e.g., hello@yourdomain.com).

Q3: Why is the unsubscribe link required?
It’s legally required under CAN-SPAM, GDPR, and global regulations and reduces spam complaints.

Q4: What if my spam complaint rate is too high?
Clean your lists, confirm opt-ins, and optimize subject lines and content. Track results in Postmaster Tools.

Q5: How do I roll out DMARC safely?
Start with p=none to gather data → move to quarantine → then reject once all authentication is aligned.