Run and Interpret Placement Tests
Run and Interpret Placement Tests
Purpose
Placement tests show where your emails land — inbox, spam, or not received — across major email providers. This article walks through running a test from start to finish and how to read the results.
What a Placement Test Tells You
SuperSend sends your email to seed addresses at Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and other providers. The seeds report whether the message landed in inbox, spam, or wasn't received. You get a score (0–10) and a provider-by-provider breakdown so you can see which providers are treating you well and which need work.
How to Run a Placement Test
Step 1: Create the Test
- Go to Placement Tests (from the team sidebar or Warming / Deliverability section).
- Click New Placement Test or the equivalent.
- Give it a name and configure the test (sender, subject, body — or link to a campaign/sequence step).
Step 2: Insert the Tracking Code
SuperSend generates a unique tracking code for the test.
- Copy the code from the setup screen.
- Paste it anywhere inside the body of your test email. It can be at the top, bottom, or middle.
- The code is invisible to recipients — it's used so SuperSend can identify which message came from your test.
Tip: If you're testing a real sequence email, add the code to the HTML/body of that email template before sending.
Step 3: Send to Seed Addresses
- SuperSend shows a list of seed email addresses.
- Send your test email (with the tracking code) to all of those addresses. Use Copy All or Export CSV to get the list.
- Send from the same domain/sender you're testing — that's what affects placement.
- Click Confirm I've Sent It when done.
Step 4: Wait for Results
Processing usually takes 2–6 hours. SuperSend checks where the emails landed at each provider.
- A Refresh Results button lets you check for updates.
- Don't close the test — results will populate when processing completes.
Interpreting the Score
Score | Message | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
≥ 9 | "Excellent! Your emails are landing where they should—now keep it that way." | Strong deliverability. |
≥ 7 | "Your deliverability is solid today, but sender reputation can drop fast. Keep monitoring." | Good, but watch for changes. |
≥ 5 | "Your deliverability needs attention. Some emails may be landing in spam." | Mixed; some providers may be filtering. |
< 5 | "Warning: Poor deliverability detected. Many emails may not be reaching inboxes." | Significant spam placement. |
Result Cards
Card | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Inbox | Green | Landed in inbox. |
Spam | Red | Caught by spam filter. |
Not Received | Gray | Seed never received it (may be delayed or blocked). |
Bounced | Orange | Hard bounce (only shown if count > 0). |
Each card shows count and percentage. Use this to see where most of your emails landed.
Provider Breakdown
The "Where it landed" table breaks down results by provider (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.). If one provider is mostly spam, focus on that domain's reputation — warming, content, and engagement matter there.
Best Practices
- Test before big sends — Run a placement test when using a new sender or domain.
- Test real content — Use the actual subject and body you plan to send.
- Re-test after changes — If you change content, warming, or volume, run another test.
- Compare over time — Track scores across tests to spot trends.
Expected Result
You've run a placement test, waited for results, and interpreted the score and breakdown. You know which providers are inboxing you and which need improvement. Use this to guide warming, content, and sending strategy.
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Updated on: 17/03/2026
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