Teams using AI for outbound email are finding it harder, Folderly research finds (apnews.com)

A recent report from Folderly reveals a concerning trend among B2B sales professionals utilizing AI for outbound email. Despite 70% of the surveyed 100 professionals employing AI to craft their emails, a staggering 79% reported that their prospects never received these communications. The survey highlights a disconnect in expectations; while AI has ostensibly made creating emails easier, many users are witnessing a decline in deliverability. A notable 82% of respondents believe their AI-generated emails are easily recognizable to recipients, indicating a growing skepticism about the efficacy of AI in this realm. The implications of this research are significant for the AI and email marketing landscape. As the volume of AI-generated emails increases, major platforms like Gmail and Microsoft are enhancing their filtering safeguards, inadvertently pushing many legitimate emails into spam. The findings suggest that sales teams need to reassess their deliverability strategies—currently, only 11% of organizations have a dedicated focus on this issue. By treating email deliverability as an ongoing infrastructure challenge rather than a one-time fix, teams can establish more sustainable outreach practices. Folderly's data demonstrates that effective management can lead to impressive recovery metrics in email deliverability, underscoring a vital area for improvement in the AI-driven marketing strategy.