In this article, we will cover what you can do when you notice that emails are still not arriving correctly to a specific contact after correctly configuring the DNS settings. In this case, you can ask them to add you to their list of safe senders.
In this article:
- What is a safe sender list?
- How can you be added to the safe sender list?
- What steps should your contact take to mark you as safe?
What is a safe sender list?
These are lists or filters that can be created by your recipients at their Email Service Provider (such as Outlook or Gmail). When a sender is added to this list, the chances of your emails landing in the inbox are higher. So, if contacts indicate that they are not receiving your emails, you can ask them to add you to the safe list. This method does not guarantee that your email will always end up in the inbox, but it contributes to your interaction and reputation as a sender, which in turn has a positive impact on deliverability.
How can you be added to the safe sender list?
The only way to do this is by asking the specific contact to put you on this list. If you receive a personal message from one of your contacts that your emails are not arriving correctly, you can send them the instructions for marking as safe. You can also choose to add this by default to your emails.
You can also ask them to indicate within their Email Service Provider that your email is not spam. This can often be done through a button or by literally dragging the email to the inbox. Your future emails will then more likely end up there.
What steps should your contact take to mark you as safe?
You can segment your list based on the Email Service Provider they use. This way, you can send more targeted instructions. Below you will find instructions for each provider:
AOL
Click on the drop-down menu next to the email address and choose 'add contact'. For more information, also visit the AOL support department.
Apple Mail (OSX)
Open the email and right-click on the sender's email address. Click on 'Add to Contacts' or choose 'Add to VIPs'. For more information, also visit the Apple support department.
Gmail
Open the contact list, click on 'New contact' and enter the sender's email address. For more information, also visit the Gmail support department.
Microsoft (Outlook/Hotmail/Office)
Open the email in the spam folder and click on the three dots on the right. In the menu, choose 'Add to Safe Senders'. For more information, also visit the Outlook support department.
Office(365)
Click on 'Settings' and choose 'View all Outlook settings'. Click on 'Junk email' and scroll to 'Safe senders and domains'. Here you can add the email address or domain. Then save the changes. For more information, also visit the Office support department.
Yahoo
In the Yahoo inbox, click on the three dots next to 'Spam'. Then click on 'Add to contacts'. For more information, also visit the Yahoo support department.