Recently Gmail introduced a new tabbing system for its inbox which has caused a lot of communications and marketing people to freak out.
The Gmail inbox now contains 3 tabs – primary, social and promotions (see below). Gmail automatically sorts a user’s incoming mail into one of these tabs. The concern among communicators is that the email they send to subscribers will end up in the “promotions” tab and never seen.
Note we’re NOT talking about spammers here. Spam has already been diverted to a separate Spam folder for years.
We’re talking about the newsletters and other legitimate messages your church, school, ministry or business sends to its subscribers. Anything that may be preventing your members, parents, contributors and customers from receiving the updates they from you is a big deal.
So, let’s talk about how we can best deal with this…
Good for Users
While I’m a communicator – a sender of email to subscribers, I’m also a Gmail user. After getting over the initial shock of having tabs thrust upon me with no warning, I like them. One of the biggest challenges in life is to prioritize tasks and focus on the important things first. By sorting incoming email into tabs, Gmail is helping its users to prioritize by enabling them to see the more important “primary” messages without getting distracted by social media and promotions.
So what impact have the new tabs had?
Email Open Rates Down
MailChimp – one of the largest providers of email distribution services reported email open rates are down about 10% compared with before Gmail introduced tabs. That’s a pretty significant difference.
How to Get Your Email into the Primary Tab
Lots of email marketing gurus have been doing lots of experiments with tweaking the headers and content of their emails in an effort to find ways to get their email to show up in the “Primary” tab rather than the “Promotions” tab.
They haven’t been very successful.
The best way to get your email into the Primary tab is to have your subscribers put it there. Here’s how…
Let your subscribers know through all forms of communication (email, social media, print, etc) that if they use Gmail, your newsletters and messages may be getting delivered into the “Promotions” tab. They should look for it there. If they a message from you there, they can drag it into the “Primary” tab. When they do that, Gmail will ask them if they want future messages placed into the Primary tab, and they should click Yes.
Discussion
- If you’re a Gmail user, what do you think of the new inbox tabs? Annoying? Helpful?
- As a communicator, have you noticed open rates down recently, people telling you they’re not getting your newsletters, or your newsletters in people’s Promotions tab?
- Have you taken any action yet to help your subscribers deal with Gmail tabs?
Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com
Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.
An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication.
9 Comments
I do not like G mail's new system, at all! After reading that it can work for me rather than I work for it…I may be willing to give it a try. Again.
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In my opinion, Gmail's new updated system is not so effective. I was much comfortable with previous one…
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