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Email Sending Reputation

Davis Van Luven
Updated

Introduction

When setting up survey email delivery through AskNicely, some customers choose to create a brand-new subdomain (e.g., noreply@feedback.yourcompany.com) instead of sending from their primary email domain.

While this is a valid approach, it introduces deliverability risks if not handled carefully.
Email providers like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook monitor new subdomains closely, and sending large volumes too quickly can cause your emails to be flagged as spam or junk—even if your technical setup (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is perfect.

Key Risks of New Subdomains

  • Large ISPs track user engagement (opens, clicks, deletions).

  • Sending a high volume from a brand-new domain without prior reputation can result in immediate spam/junk foldering.

  • Once flagged, domain recovery can take weeks or months—even with flawless technical settings.

Best Practices for New Subdomain Senders

Follow these recommendations to protect your sending reputation and ensure high inbox placement:

✅ 1. Target Highly Engaged Contacts First

  • Focus initial sends on contacts who have recently opened, clicked, or interacted with your emails.

  • Avoid starting with unresponsive, inactive, or cold lists.

🎯 Higher engagement early on teaches email providers to trust your subdomain.

✅ 2. Ramp Up Slowly

  • Start small (e.g., a few hundred emails per day)

  • Gradually increase volume over 2–6 weeks

⏳ This "warm-up period" is critical for building a positive domain reputation.

✅ 3. Personalize Every Survey Email

  • Include dynamic fields like:

    • {firstname}

    • {company}

  • Make emails look personal and relationship-driven, not like mass marketing blasts.

✍️ Personalization reduces the chance of spam complaints and boosts open rates.

✅ 4. Monitor Deliverability Regularly

  • Use tools like:

  • Monitor:

    • Inbox vs. Spam folder placement

    • Spam score diagnostics

    • Blacklist monitoring

🔍 Catch and address issues early before damage spreads.

✅ 5. Be Patient and Consistent

  • It typically takes 2 to 6 weeks of consistent, positive engagement to establish a good sending reputation.

  • Keep your sending patterns:

    • Regular

    • Predictable

    • Focused on high-quality Contacts

🚀 A new domain's reputation is built slowly—but can be destroyed quickly by reckless sending.

FAQs & Common Issues

  • Q: Can I send to my entire Contact list right away?
    A: No—start slow and scale up over weeks.

  • Q: What happens if Gmail blocks my emails as spam early on?
    A: Reputation recovery is difficult. Immediate slow ramp-up is crucial to avoid this.

  • Q: Is it better to use my main domain?
    A: If feasible, yes. Main domains often have stronger trust signals built over time.

  • Q: How can I check if my emails are getting marked as spam?
    A: Use inbox placement tools like GlockApps or Mail-Tester before full launches.

Next Steps & Related Articles

Need Help?

Planning a new subdomain rollout? Need help warming up your send volume? Contact our Support Team via the chat icon or email support@asknice.ly.
We’re happy to advise and ensure a smooth survey launch!

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