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List Hygiene & Sunset Policy Builder

Reduce spam risk and improve performance by removing dead weight

List hygiene and bounce reduction are persistent deliverability challenges. This recipe creates a segmentation and "sunset policy" that defines inactivity windows, re-engagement flows, and removal rules, plus a monthly hygiene checklist.

House RecipeWork8 min setup

INGREDIENTS

📄Google Docs

PROMPT

Build a list hygiene and sunset policy. Output: - Inactivity tiers + definitions (warm/cooling/cold/dormant) - Re-engagement flow (sequence + decision criteria for keep vs remove) - Removal rules and exceptions (VIP, customers, regulated) - Monthly hygiene checklist with KPIs to track Inputs: - List size: - Average sends/week: - Current engagement rates (open/click): - Acquisition sources: - Any compliance constraints:

How It Works

This recipe protects deliverability while keeping growth teams aligned on list-management tradeoffs.

Triggers

  • Bounce rates increase
  • Engagement declines, inbox placement worsens
  • Your list has years of unengaged contacts

Inputs

  • Current list segments and engagement metrics
  • Email cadence and content types
  • Acquisition sources (organic, paid, partners)

Outputs

  • Sunset policy (rules + timelines)
  • Re-engagement campaign plan
  • Hygiene checklist (monthly) + reporting KPIs

Actions / Steps

  1. Define inactivity tiers (warm, cooling, cold, dormant).
  2. Create re-engagement sequence with clear "keep vs remove" decision.
  3. Implement removal rules that minimize spam complaints and bounces.
  4. Document exceptions (VIP/customers/regulated comms).

Parameters

  • Inactivity windows (30/60/90/180 days)
  • Removal thresholds (hard bounce, repeated soft bounce)
  • Re-engagement offer types
Tags:#email-marketing#deliverability#list-hygiene#segmentation#retention