Episode #366 - Your Emails Are Going to Promotions - Now What?
There's a whole corner of the internet selling ecommerce founders the idea that one tiny tweak will magically make Gmail favor their emails. And the truth is: chasing that promise usually makes things worse.
In this episode, I'm sharing my hot take on Gmail tabs (Primary vs Promotions): why Promotions isn't a penalty box, why "get into Primary" became such a thing, and what actually moves the needle if you want your emails to get opened, clicked, trusted, and drive revenue — even if they live in Promotions.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What Gmail "Primary" vs "Promotions" really means (in plain English)
Why Promotions is often a filing system, not a punishment
The real reason "Primary inbox hacks" became a trend — and why they're usually a distraction
Why engagement and recognition matter more than tab placement
The 4 things to optimize for instead:
"I recognize you."
"You're worth opening."
"This is easy to read and act on."
"You feel human."
When it does make sense to try for the main inbox (and when it backfires)
Dive deeper with the accompanying blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/gmail-primary-inbox-promotions-tab-where-should-you-land
Work with Joy Joya: https://joyjoya.com
