GMail Inbox Actions

What are the Inbox Actions?

Google created this new functionality to enable senders to add actions in the mailboxes so the receivers will be able to achieve an action (activate the account, click on a link) by clicking a button directly in their mailboxes (the button is displayed next to the subject line) without having to open their e-mails.

This feature has been implemented since AcyMailing 4.9.0 and is only available in our Enterprise version.

One click actions

This functionality enables you to give the possibility to the receiver to execute an action from his mailbox, for example confirming his subscription.

There are two types of one-click actions:

• You should use the "confirm action" to let your receivers activate their account / confirm their Acy subscription / acknowledge something

• You should use the "save action" to let your receivers validate an action on your site

Both options will achieve the same thing, the difference is only made to help Google understand the goal of your on-click action buttons.

Go-To actions

This functionality enables you to add a button linked to a page (it will open the link you specify in a new tab).

Why do I need to be whitelisted?

These functionalities are very attractive, so Google didn't want them to be used by spammers. That's why Google decided to enable it only for websites explaining in which cases they would use it (otherwise the button will simply not appear in the receiver's mailbox).

How do I ask Google to whitelist my website?

There are some rules that you must follow to be compliant with the Google requirements in order to be whitelisted:

• You must have a valid DKIM and SPF (You can always make sure that's the case with our spam test tool)

• The top-level domain (TLD) of the SPF check or DKIM signature must match the TLD of your From: email address

  • e.g. if you use From: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. the DKIM and SPF must be for bar.com or sub.bar.com

  • Gmail only checks the SPF on the domain used in your bounce back email address. If you only rely on SPF and not DKIM your bounce email address must belong to the same domain as your from email address.

  • To quickly check if your SPF or DKIM settings are correct have a look at their Email Authentication help article

• Consistent history of sending a high volume of mail from your domain (order of hundred emails a day minimum to Gmail) for a few weeks at least

• A very very low rate of spam complaints from users

Once you match these requirements (and only then), create a newsletter, and in the "Inbox actions" tab, write the following data:

In the subject, set "Your site's name - confirmation email", preview the newsletter and send a test to [e-mail]

Once done, fill in the Google whitelisting request form. You'll get an answer within a day or two with instructions to finalize the whitelisting process (it may take longer if your newsletter is not in English).