There are plenty of platforms out there designed to help you monitor your email deliverability, and choosing the right ones can make all the difference in your email strategy. To help you stay ahead of the game, we’ve rounded up the top 7 email deliverability tools that every email marketer should be using. These tools can help you track your sender reputation, monitor inbox placement, and make sure your emails are hitting their mark. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Google Postmaster Tools
One of the most essential tools in your email deliverability toolbox is Google Postmaster Tools. It’s free, easy to use, and offers detailed data on your email performance with Gmail users. From sender score to spam complaints, you’ll be able to see how Gmail is treating your emails and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Key Features:
- Monitor sender reputation and spam rate.
- Get insights into domain reputation and IP reputation.
- Track delivery errors and issues with authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
Why You Need It: If you send a significant amount of email to Gmail users, this tool is a must-have. It helps you pinpoint issues before they escalate, giving you the chance to fix things before Gmail’s algorithms decide to shove your emails into the dreaded spam folder.
2. Microsoft SNDS (Smart Network Data Services)
If you’re sending emails to Outlook, Hotmail, or other Microsoft services, then Microsoft SNDS should be on your radar as an email deliverability tool. This free helper provides feedback on how Microsoft’s servers are treating your emails. It’s like a direct line to their inbox placement, and it’s invaluable when tracking deliverability for Microsoft users.
Key Features:
- Monitor the reputation of your IP address.
- See detailed data on spam complaints.
- View delivery reports for specific regions or ISPs.
Why You Need It: Microsoft services are widely used, so knowing how your emails are performing on their network is critical. SNDS helps you understand if your emails are reaching the inbox or if they’re getting filtered into the spam folder, and why.
3. Litmus
Litmus is a premium tool that lets you test your emails across different devices and email clients to ensure they’re looking great and landing in inboxes. While it’s mainly known for its email testing, Litmus also provides powerful deliverability insights that can help you fine-tune your campaigns.
Key Features:
- Test how your email renders across different devices and email clients.
- Monitor deliverability data and inbox placement.
- Gain insights into engagement and spam filter testing.
Why You Need It: If you want to take your email testing and deliverability analysis to the next level, Litmus is a go-to tool. Its testing capabilities combined with deliverability tracking give you a comprehensive overview of how your emails are performing.
4. Validity (Return Path)
Validity’s Return Path is an all-in-one deliverability tool that helps email marketers monitor their sender reputation and track email performance across multiple ISPs. This tool is especially useful for large-scale email senders looking for in-depth insights into inbox placement and deliverability trends.
Key Features:
- Track inbox placement across major ISPs.
- Monitor sender reputation and domain health.
- Receive alerts about potential issues with authentication or spam complaints.
Why You Need It: For serious email marketers, Return Path is a premium tool that offers deep insights and analytics. It’s ideal for brands that need to stay on top of their deliverability across multiple inboxes, ensuring emails get delivered and engagement stays high.
5. MXToolbox
MXToolbox is a must-have for checking the health of your domain and IP address. It performs a detailed check for any issues that might affect your deliverability, such as blacklisting or poor sender reputation. It’s a great way to monitor your email infrastructure.
Key Features:
- Monitor DNS records and MX settings.
- Check if your domain or IP is on any blacklists.
- Get diagnostics for email routing and server issues.
Why You Need It: If you’re experiencing deliverability issues and aren’t sure why, MXToolbox can provide the technical details you need to diagnose problems and improve performance. If your IP is blacklisted, this tool helps you get back on track.
6. DMARCian
DMARCian helps you implement DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) to monitor and protect your domain’s email reputation. This tool offers real-time reports on your DMARC setup, helping you stay ahead of any deliverability issues related to authentication.
Key Features:
- Monitor DMARC reports in real-time.
- Receive alerts about email spoofing and fraudulent activity.
- Ensure your email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are set up correctly.
Why You Need It: DMARCian is a must-have tool for anyone looking to improve their domain’s email security and protect their sender reputation. It helps ensure your emails are authenticated properly, reducing the risk of being marked as spam.
7. Google Sheets
While not a typical deliverability tool, Google Sheets can be a powerful resource when analysing email performance. By breaking down engagement metrics and tracking deliverability trends across different domains (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail), you can identify any issues with specific ISPs or subscriber segments.
Key Features:
- Pivot tables to break down engagement by domain, open rates, and more.
- Track email performance over time to spot trends.
- Analyse bounce rates, unsubscribes, and spam complaints across different email clients.
Why You Need It: For those who love customisable reporting and insights, Google Sheets is a valuable tool. It allows you to build a personalised deliverability analysis dashboard and spot issues early.
Why Tracking Deliverability is Crucial for Your Brand
Tracking email deliverability is more than just a technical task – it’s essential for your brand’s success. Poor deliverability leads to lower open rates, reduced engagement, and a tarnished sender reputation. By using the right tools to monitor and optimise your deliverability, you can increase your chances of landing in the inbox, not the spam folder.
Ultimately, keeping your deliverability in check ensures that you’re reaching your audience and maximising the impact of every email you send. Trust us – these tools will help you take your email marketing to the next level.
