Stop WordPress Email notifications from Landing in Spam – A Guide to Improve Your Email Deliverability

Successful WordPress Email notifications are a big deal for anyone using WordPress to send emails. When your emails end up in the spam folder, it can hurt your connection with your audience. In this guide, we’ll explore how to stop website email notifications going to spam and ensure your messages reach your readers’ inboxes. We’ll cover the basics of email deliverability, how to set up your WordPress email settings, and tips to enhance your email content and design.

Key Takeaways

• Always check if your WordPress site is sending emails correctly.
• Use an SMTP plugin to help your emails reach inboxes.
• Make sure your email content is clear and trustworthy.
• Regularly clean your email list to keep it healthy.
• Monitor your email performance to catch any issues early.

Understanding Email Deliverability

What is Email Deliverability?

Email deliverability is the ability of your emails to successfully reach recipients’ inboxes. It’s not just about sending emails; it’s about ensuring they land where they should. This means avoiding spam folders and ensuring your messages are seen by your audience.

Factors Affecting Email Deliverability

Several factors can impact whether your emails reach the inbox:

• Sender Reputation: Your email sending history affects how email providers view your messages.
• Content Quality: Emails that look spammy or contain too many images can be flagged.
• Technical Setup: Proper configuration of your email settings is crucial for deliverability.

Common Email Deliverability Issues

Here are some common issues that can cause your emails to land in spam:

1. Blacklisted IP Address: If your server’s IP is blacklisted, your emails may be blocked.
2. Poorly Formatted Emails: Emails that are not well-structured can trigger spam filters.
3. Spammy Content: Using too many promotional phrases can make your emails look suspicious.

Why WordPress’s Built-In wp_mail() Function Falls Short for Reliable Email Delivery

If you’re relying on WordPress’s default wp_mail() function to send email notifications, you could be facing several issues that prevent your messages from reliably reaching recipients’ inboxes. Here’s why wp_mail() often falls short in ensuring smooth email delivery:

• Unreliable Email Handling: The wp_mail() function relies on PHP’s mail() feature, which doesn’t guarantee email delivery. While it may successfully process the request, there’s no certainty the email will reach the intended recipient. This is because PHP’s mail() depends on the server’s default email settings, which are often not optimized for high deliverability, leading to emails being lost or marked as spam.
• Complex Server Requirements: For wp_mail() to function properly, many servers require a specific email account configuration, such as wordpress@yourdomain.com. This account may need to be created on the server, which can pose challenges if your web server and email server are different or if site admins lack the permissions to create new email accounts. This complexity can make wp_mail() an unreliable solution, especially for teams that don’t control both servers.
• Limited Deliverability Features: Unlike dedicated email services, wp_mail() doesn’t offer features to enhance deliverability, such as IP reputation management, feedback loop handling, or SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup. Services like Postmark provide these advanced capabilities to prevent messages from being marked as spam, helping emails consistently reach users’ inboxes.
• Inability to Separate Transactional and Bulk Emails: wp_mail() sends all emails from the same server infrastructure, which can hurt your sender reputation with Internet Service Providers (ISPs). When bulk and transactional emails are sent together, high-volume or marketing emails can delay critical messages like password resets or order confirmations. Services like Postmark use separate infrastructures to maintain deliverability for each email type.
• Limited Support for High-Volume Sending: For high-volume senders, wp_mail() is often insufficient. While shared IPs might work for smaller sites, large-scale email campaigns may require a dedicated IP to maintain a strong sender reputation and optimize deliverability. Dedicated email providers can guide you on whether a dedicated IP is needed and help you manage the warm-up process for new IPs.

Using wp_mail() without additional configuration or plugins can lead to poor email deliverability, missed messages, and frustrated users. For reliable email performance, it’s best to consider a dedicated email service provider or a WordPress plugin designed to enhance deliverability features.

Email deliverability is a complex process with many potential points of failure. Factors like IP reputation, blocklists, feedback loops, and proper configuration of protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC all play a role. Even a slight delay in email delivery can lead to customer support requests and harm your reputation

To improve your email deliverability, always follow best practices and keep your content relevant and engaging.

By understanding these aspects of email deliverability, you can take the following steps to ensure your WordPress emails reach their intended recipients without getting lost in spam folders.

Configuring WordPress Email Settings

Setting Up and Email Delivery Service

I have tested and used multiple Email delivery service providers, and in my experience, Postmark app provides the best service

Postmark is an email delivery service focused on providing fast and reliable delivery for transactional emails.These are emails that are critical to your business operations, such as password resets, account confirmations, and license keys. Postmark aims to ensure these emails arrive in your customer’s inboxes immediately

Setting up Postmark for WordPress

1. Create a PostMark Account (Free Trial Initially and the $15/month for up to 10000 email). (Note: Nustart WordPress Care get this included in their package at no additional cost
2. Install ActiveCampaign Postmark for WordPress
3. Configure the plugin settings: In WordPress admin, go to Settings then Postmark.
   • Add the API Key from the server you created in your Postmark Account
   • Leave the Message Stream as the default outbount
   • Add the sender Email (this must be a verified Sender Signature setup in your Postmark App dashboard)
   • Check the “Send emails using ActiveCampaign Postmark
4. Send a test email and confirm it is being received

Remember: Proper configuration of your email settings is essential to prevent WordPress emails from landing in spam. If you want to configure SMTP in WordPress for emails, then you must install an SMTP plugin.

By following these steps, you can significantly improve your email deliverability and ensure your messages reach your audience effectively.

Improving Email Content and Design

Improving Email Content and Design

Creating effective emails is crucial for ensuring they reach your audience’s inbox. A well-designed email can significantly boost your deliverability. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Balance Your Design: Make sure your emails are visually appealing and easy to read. Include a clear call-to-action (CTA), relevant images, and concise text. Your design should reflect your brand and be compatible with both desktop and mobile devices.
2. Avoid Spam Triggers: Certain words and phrases can trigger spam filters. Steer clear of overly promotional language and common spam words. Instead, focus on clear and engaging content that resonates with your audience.
3. Maintain a Good Text-to-Image Ratio: Aim for a text-to-image ratio of at least 60/40. This means having more text than images in your emails to avoid being flagged as spam.
4. Use Clear Links: Only link to reputable websites and keep your URLs clean. Avoid using too many links, as this can raise red flags for spam filters.
5. Personalize Your Emails: Write in a friendly tone and make your emails feel personal. This helps build a connection with your subscribers and can improve engagement rates.

Remember, your emails should feel like they come from a real person, not a machine. This approach can help you bypass spam filters and improve your overall email deliverability.

By following these guidelines, you can enhance your email content and design, making it more likely that your messages will land in the inbox rather than the spam folder. Consider using tools like Site Mailer by Elementor to streamline your email processes and improve deliverability.

Final Thoughts on Improving Email Deliverability

In conclusion, ensuring your WordPress emails reach the inbox instead of the spam folder is crucial for effective communication with your audience. By following the tips outlined in this guide, such as optimizing your email content, using reliable email services, and maintaining a clean subscriber list, you can significantly enhance your email deliverability. Remember, it’s not just about sending emails; it’s about making sure they are seen and engaged with. Keep monitoring your email performance and stay updated on best practices to keep your emails out of spam. With these strategies, you can build a stronger connection with your subscribers and improve your overall email marketing success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my WordPress emails end up in the spam folder?

There are several reasons why emails from WordPress might go to spam. This can include bad formatting, content that looks spammy, or a setup that isn’t correct.

Does WordPress have a built-in spam blocker for emails?

No, WordPress does not come with a spam blocker for emails. However, there are many plugins available that can help stop spam on your site.

Can email deliverability problems in WordPress affect all types of emails?

Yes, issues with email deliverability can impact all kinds of emails sent from WordPress, including registration emails and password reset messages.

Should I use a third-party email service to avoid spam issues?

Using a third-party email service is usually a good idea. These services can help improve your email deliverability and prevent your emails from going to spam.

How can I check if my WordPress server’s IP address is blacklisted?

You can use online tools like MXToolBox to check if your server’s IP address is blacklisted by email service providers.

What should I do if my WordPress server’s IP address is blacklisted?

If your server’s IP is blacklisted, contact your hosting provider and ask to be moved to a different server that isn’t blacklisted.