# The e _mail_ blog

## Stories, strategies, and insights for sending better emails.

- [Stop Tracking Open Rates. Your Deliverability Will Thank You.](/content/blog/stop-tracking-open-rates/index.html)
  - **Category:** how to guide
  - **Summary:** Tracking open rates could be sending your emails to spam. Learn why the metric is unreliable and what to measure instead. 
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 24 Mar, 2026

- [Why Every Indie Hacker I Know Is Overpaying for Email](/content/blog/email-service-for-indie-hackers/index.html)
  - **Category:** email marketing
  - **Summary:** I've had the same conversation with a dozen indie hackers this year. Their email bill keeps going up, not because they send more, but because their list grew.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 05 Mar, 2026

- [The Complete Guide to Email Authentication: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC](/content/blog/the-complete-guide-to-email-authentication-spf-dkim-and-dmarc/index.html)
  - **Category:** how to guide
  - **Summary:** This guide walks you through what each protocol does, how to set them up, and the common mistakes that silently wreck your inbox placement.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 17 Feb, 2026

- [The List-Unsubscribe Header: A Complete Guide](/content/blog/list-unsubscribe-header/index.html)
  - **Category:** engineering
  - **Summary:** The List-Unsubscribe header lets Gmail and Yahoo show a native unsubscribe button on your emails. Here's how it works and how to set it up correctly.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 27 Jan, 2026

- [Why Gmail Says Your Emails "Appear Suspicious" (And How to Fix It)](/content/blog/why-gmail-says-your-emails-appear-suspicious/index.html)
  - **Category:** how to guide
  - **Summary:** Gmail marking your emails as suspicious? Fix DMARC strict alignment with this SPF, DKIM, and DMARC DNS configuration guide.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 07 Jan, 2026

- [How to Read Email Metrics and Actually Improve Email Performance](/content/blog/how-to-read-email-metrics/index.html)
  - **Category:** how to guide
  - **Summary:** Email metrics explained: what each number means, healthy benchmarks, red flags to watch for, and how to turn analytics into better email performance.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 01 Jan, 2026

- [Why Your Emails Go to Spam: 18 Reasons and How to Fix Each One](/content/blog/how-to-stop-emails-from-going-to-spam/index.html)
  - **Category:** how to guide
  - **Summary:** Most deliverability problems come down to a small set of fixable mistakes. Let's discuss 18 mistakes, what they are, why they happen, and how to fix each one.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 30 Dec, 2025

- [How to Warm Up a New Email Domain: Step-by-Step Guide for High Deliverability](/content/blog/new-email-domain-warmup-guide/index.html)
  - **Category:** how to guide
  - **Summary:** Learn how to warm up a new email domain with proven schedules and strategies. Avoid spam folders and build lasting sender reputation.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 17 Dec, 2025

- [AutoSend Partners with Dodo Payments to Power Transactional Email Notifications](/content/blog/autosend-partners-with-dodo-payments/index.html)
  - **Category:** product updates
  - **Summary:** Dodo Payments customers can seamlessly integrate AutoSend's email API to handle all payment-related notifications, from transaction confirmations to subscription updates.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 01 Dec, 2025

- [SMTP vs API: Complete Developer Guide](/content/blog/smtp-vs-api-complete-developer-guide/index.html)
  - **Category:** engineering
  - **Summary:** Complete technical guide comparing SMTP vs API for sending emails. Includes code examples, performance benchmarks, and decision framework for developers.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 12 Nov, 2025

- [Why AutoSend Doesn’t Have a Free Plan](/content/blog/why-autosend-doesnt-have-a-free-plan/index.html)
  - **Category:** engineering
  - **Summary:** How protecting deliverability, reliability, and focus shaped our decision to not offer the free plan.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 11 Nov, 2025

- [The Hidden Cost of Poor Email Deliverability](/content/blog/the-hidden-cost-of-poor-email-deliverability/index.html)
  - **Category:** email marketing
  - **Summary:** Poor email deliverability hurts trust, engagement, and revenue. Learn how to protect your domain and improve email deliverability with AutoSend.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 01 Nov, 2025

- [Do Transactional Emails Need an Unsubscribe Link?](/content/blog/do-transactional-emails-need-an-unsubscribe-link/index.html)
  - **Category:** email marketing
  - **Summary:** Learn when transactional emails need an unsubscribe link, when they don’t, and how to stay compliant with CAN-SPAM and GDPR rules.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 01 Nov, 2025

- [How SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Work Together to Protect Your Domain](/content/blog/how-spf-dkim-and-dmarc-work/index.html)
  - **Category:** how to guide
  - **Summary:** Learn how SPF, DKIM, and DMARC protect your domain from spoofing and phishing, improve trust, and boost email deliverability.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 29 Oct, 2025

- [How to Get a Verified Checkmark in Gmail with BIMI](/content/blog/how-to-get-a-verified-checkmark-in-gmail-with-bimi/index.html)
  - **Category:** how to guide
  - **Summary:** Learn how to set up BIMI to display your verified logo and checkmark in Gmail to boost trust and email deliverability.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 29 Oct, 2025

- [SendGrid Alternative: Why AutoSend Is the Best Modern Email Platform](/content/blog/sendgrid-alternative/index.html)
  - **Category:** email marketing
  - **Summary:** Looking for a SendGrid alternative? Discover why AutoSend is the best modern email platform for transactional and marketing emails with simple pricing and reliable deliverability.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 27 Oct, 2025

- [How to Warm Up a New Domain for Transactional Emails](/content/blog/how-to-warm-up-a-new-domain-for-transactional-emails/index.html)
  - **Category:** how to guide
  - **Summary:** Learn how to warm up a new domain for transactional emails with this step-by-step guide. Improve deliverability, build reputation, and avoid spam filters.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 14 Oct, 2025

- [Emails Going to Spam? Here’s How to Fix It](/content/blog/emails-going-to-spam-heres-how-to-fix-it/index.html)
  - **Category:** how to guide
  - **Summary:** Learn why your emails are going to spam and how to fix it. A simple guide to improve email deliverability, authentication, and sender reputation.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 14 Oct, 2025

- [Avoid These 5 Mistakes While Sending Transactional Emails](/content/blog/avoid-these-5-mistakes-while-sending-transactional-emails/index.html)
  - **Category:** engineering
  - **Summary:** Learn the common mistakes teams make when sending transactional emails and how to fix them for better deliverability, clarity, and compliance.
  - **Author:** Akash Bhadange • 14 Oct, 2025