LaunchNotes can be configured to use a custom Email Service Provider (ESP), if desired. If a custom ESP is not configured, the default ESP is Postmark. You can read more about customizing emails and ESPs in the Email settings article.
Regardless of which ESP is connected, a subscriber email can become ‘blocked’. This article will define the 'blocked' status and explain how and why an email can be blocked.
Reasons for an Email Being Blocked
Invalid Email Address: The most common reason for an email being blocked is that the email address is invalid or does not exist. This can happen if the subscriber mistyped their email address or if the email address has been deactivated.
Spam Filters: Sometimes, an email may be blocked because it was flagged by the recipient’s spam filters. This can occur if your email content or sending behavior triggers spam detection algorithms.
Recipient’s Mail Server Policies: Different mail servers have different policies for accepting emails. Some servers might block emails from certain IP addresses or domains if they suspect spam or other malicious activity.
Bounce Back: If an email previously bounced (was returned to the sender because it couldn’t be delivered), the recipient’s mail server might block future emails from being sent.
Manual Block by Recipient: The recipient might have manually blocked your emails, either by marking them as spam or by using a filtering rule within their email client.
Manual Suppression List: Many ESPs allow senders to maintain suppression lists, which are lists of addresses that should not receive emails. If a recipient’s address is on such a list, the ESP will block sends to that address.
Managing Blocked Subscribers
If a subscriber's email address becomes blocked, the following steps can help you address the issue:
1. Verify the Email Address: Check for any typos or errors in the email address. If possible, contact the subscriber to confirm their correct email address.
2. Review Email Content: Ensure that your email content adheres to best practices for avoiding spam filters. This includes having a clear subject line and avoiding excessive use of certain keywords that can flag spam filters.
3. Monitor Sending Behavior: Ensure that you are not sending too many emails in a short period, as this can trigger spam filters. Maintain a consistent and reasonable sending schedule.
4. Update Your Subscriber List: Regularly clean your subscriber list to unsubscribe invalid or inactive email addresses. This can help improve your overall email deliverability and reduce the likelihood of being blocked.
What to Do If A Subscriber's Email Is Blocked
If you discover that a subscriber email address has been blocked, you can:
Check Your ESP Management Portal: If using a custom ESP, more details on the reason a subscriber email address is blocked can be found within that platform.
Contact Support: If you are using the LaunchNotes ESP, reach out to our support team at [email protected] for further assistance. We can help investigate the cause of the block and provide recommendations for resolving it.
By understanding the reasons behind the ‘blocked’ status and taking proactive steps to manage your subscriber list, you can improve your email deliverability and ensure that your updates reach your audience effectively.
For more information on managing subscribers, please refer to our detailed help article on Subscriber Management.
If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We’re here to help!