Sending to Listservs with Email+: Best Practices
Email+ can be used effectively to send messages to listservs and distribution groups—if configured correctly. Failure to follow the proper process can result in emails not being delivered, broken formatting or blocked links. Below are important guidelines to ensure your email reaches its audience as intended.
Potential Issues When Sending to Listservs
Listservs and distribution groups often have authentication restrictions that limit who can send messages to them. These restrictions may:
When you use Email+ to send to a listserv or distribution group, the system cannot authenticate the sender in the way the list expects. Even if the email is from an authorized user, it may still be rejected.
To successfully send to a listserv from Email+, you must configure the list to accept emails from outside senders. Moderation can still be enabled, but the list must allow messages from external addresses—including those outside the university.
Do Not Forward Emails to Listservs
Never send an Email+ message to yourself and then forward it to a listserv. This practice causes two significant issues:
Formatting Issues:
When the email is received in your personal inbox (e.g., Outlook), the formatting may be altered. Forwarding it from there can break the appearance of the email for recipients.
Tracking and Phishing Errors:
Email+ wraps emails with individual tracking information. If forwarded to a listserv, the system may interpret the repeated link clicks as a phishing attack. If a link is clicked 10 times within 10 minutes, recipients will receive a "permission denied" error.
Use the Proper Input Field for Listservs
On the General tab in Email+, there is a designated input field labeled “Listservs and distribution groups.” Be sure to enter any listserv addresses in this field.
If you do not use this input field, the system will treat the email as if it were sent to individuals. As a result, link tracking may falsely trigger phishing protections—again leading to "permission denied" errors if links are clicked multiple times in a short period.
Summary
Configure your listservs to accept messages from external senders.
Never forward Email+ messages to a listserv from your own inbox.
Always enter listserv addresses in the correct field on the General tab.
Following these steps will ensure your messages reach their audience without issues.