Think about how many emails you get and send daily. Whether it’s a work update, a newsletter, or a confirmation email, one unsung hero pushes these emails to where they need to go: simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP). The behind-the-scenes tech makes email possible, acting as the internet’s digital postman.
Without it, your inbox would be empty, and businesses couldn’t conveniently communicate with customers.
The backbone of email communication
- 347 billion emails are sent every day.
- 85% of global email traffic is spam; thus, SMTP authentication is necessary.
- 99% of businesses employ email for customer interaction.
Holding it together
SMTP is the glue that holds email communication together. Even the best emails will never reach their recipients without proper configuration.
Levine’s comment illustrates a key reality: it isn’t just a matter of sending an email – it’s getting it into the inbox, which is the true challenge. That’s why businesses invest so heavily in SMTP authentication and email verification software.
Companies putting it into perspective
Netflix uses SMTP to send millions of transactional emails daily, including password reset, subscription confirmation, and account notification. Through SMTP authentication and SPF/DKIM records, they have high delivery rates and phishing protection.
Another instance is Airbnb, which relies on SMTP servers to process booking confirmations, cancellations, and host guest messages. Using SMTP relay services, Airbnb guarantees a seamless user experience, with critical emails being sent to the inbox instead of the spam folder.
So, what’s the issue?
- Issue: Emails ending up in spam?
- Solution: Authenticate sender identity with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- Issue: Slow email delivery?
- Solution: Use a dedicated SMTP server instead of shared hosting.
- Issue: High bounce rates?
- Solution: Regularly clean your email list and remove invalid addresses.
Implementing SMTP successfully
- Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for authentication.
- Use a dedicated SMTP server for best performance.
- Monitor bounce rates and spam complaints.
- Check test emails via a deliverability tool before sending them.
