Gmail spam rate thresholds

What it means

Google's email sender guidelines set two numbers. As a requirement for all senders, the spam rate reported in Postmaster Tools must stay below 0.3%. As guidance, Google asks senders to keep it below 0.10% and to avoid ever reaching 0.30%.

The FAQ explains that the rate is calculated daily and that its impact on delivery is graduated: user-reported spam rates above 0.1% already hurt inbox delivery for bulk senders, and 0.3% or more hurts it further. Since June 2024, bulk senders whose rate is above 0.3% are ineligible for mitigation, and they become eligible again once the rate stays below 0.3% for 7 consecutive days.

The rate only counts reports on mail that reached the inbox, so a sender already filtered to spam can show a low figure while placement is poor.