Why Gmail May Be Blocking Your Emails (And How to Fix It)

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If you’re sending newsletters or marketing emails and noticing low open rates from Gmail users, your emails might be getting blocked or filtered into spam — and that’s a big problem.

Gmail is one of the most widely used email services in the world, so ensuring deliverability is crucial for any successful email marketing campaign.

In this post, we’ll explain why Gmail might be blocking your emails, how to avoid common mistakes, and how Parlo helps ensure your messages reach the inbox — not the spam folder.

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Why Is Gmail Blocking Your Emails?

Gmail has strict spam filters to protect its users from unwanted or potentially harmful messages. If your emails look suspicious, contain spammy language, or violate best practices, Gmail may:

• Route your emails to the Promotions tab
• Flag your messages as spam
• Block your domain or IP address altogether

Here are the most common reasons Gmail might block your emails — and what you can do about it.

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1. Your Emails Look Like Spam

Gmail uses machine learning to detect spammy patterns. Things like ALL CAPS subject lines, excessive punctuation (!!!), misleading content, or shady links can get your email flagged.

How to avoid this:

• Write clear, concise subject lines
• Avoid clickbait or overly promotional language
• Include your physical business address and unsubscribe link
• Use a professional email address — not a free @gmail.com

More tips: 10 Things to Avoid When Creating an Email

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2. You’re Sending to a Dirty or Purchased List

One of the fastest ways to hurt your sender reputation is by sending emails to unverified or outdated email addresses. Gmail watches bounce rates closely — if too many of your emails bounce or are marked as spam, future sends may be blocked entirely.

Best practice:

• Use a double opt-in process
• Regularly clean your list
• Never buy email lists (seriously, never)

Learn more: Why Building Your Own Email List Is More Important Than Ever in 2025

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3. You’re Not Authenticated Properly

Email authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC prove to Gmail that you’re a legitimate sender. Without these records in place, Gmail may assume your messages are spoofed or fraudulent.

Parlo helps you get this right by guiding you through proper setup during onboarding — no tech headaches required.

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4. You’re Sending Too Many Emails Too Quickly

If Gmail suddenly sees a spike in volume from your domain or IP address, it can look like spam behavior. Slow and steady wins the race when warming up a new list.

Pro tip: Start small, and gradually scale your sending. Parlo’s simple analytics help you monitor open rates and engagement over time so you can optimize as you grow.

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5. Your Content Isn’t Personalized or Relevant

If users ignore your emails, delete them without reading, or mark them as spam — Gmail pays attention. Engagement matters.

Here’s how to improve it:

• Segment your audience
• Personalize your emails (even just using a first name can help)
• Send valuable, targeted content — not just promotions

Need help creating content that connects? Here are 5 Tips on How to Build a Relationship with Customers Through Email

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6. You’re Not Using a Trusted Email Marketing Platform

Using a bulk email platform that lacks proper infrastructure, or one with a poor reputation, can hurt your deliverability. That’s why it’s important to choose a tool that supports best practices and puts your success first.

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How Parlo Keeps Your Emails Out of Spam

Parlo is a modern email marketing tool built for creators, small businesses, and independent brands. With Parlo, you can:

• Create clean, mobile-optimized emails with ease
• Segment your list for better targeting
• Use built-in email best practices to improve deliverability
• Track performance in real time
• Get transparent pricing based on the number of emails sent — not your list size

Check out our pricing plans here.

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Inbox or Spam? You Decide

Deliverability isn’t just a technical issue — it’s a reflection of how you treat your subscribers. By focusing on email quality, authentication, and list health, you can stay on Gmail’s good side and grow your audience the right way.

And with Parlo, it’s easy to send smart, effective campaigns that land where they’re supposed to: the inbox.

Ready to improve your deliverability and build better email campaigns? Get started today with Parlo.

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