How Seido Knives Transformed Their Email Deliverability with InboxAlly
Seido Knives used InboxAlly’s seed-based engagement to raise their Klaviyo sender score from ~45 to 75, move Google Postmaster domain reputation from Low to High, and reduce spam folder placement from over 20% to under 2% in eight months.
Key Takeaways
- Klaviyo sender score improved from ~45 to 75 (record high) in 8 months
- Google Postmaster domain reputation moved from Low to High, sustained 30+ days
- Spam folder rate dropped from over 20% to under 2%
- InboxAlly’s seed-based engagement was the primary driver of reputation recovery
- Tiered plan strategy: higher seed volume for peak seasons, mid-tier for maintenance
Premium DTC Ecommerce · Klaviyo
As a premium knife brand operating in a competitive DTC ecommerce space, Seido Knives depends on reliable email deliverability, especially during high-revenue periods like holiday sales and product launches. In this case study, we explore how the Seido team leveraged InboxAlly to transform their email reputation, reach more customers, and unlock unprecedented sender score performance on Klaviyo.
Background
Seido Knives built a loyal customer base by focusing on craftsmanship and brand storytelling, both of which are reinforced through high-performing email campaigns. However, the company began noticing degraded inbox placement rates, particularly during intensive seasonal pushes. Despite having engaged subscribers and a strong content pipeline, emails were increasingly landing in spam or being throttled, threatening ROI and long-term sender reputation trust.
The Challenge
- Suboptimal open and click rates, especially during sales-driven campaigns
- Unstable domain and IP reputation despite list hygiene and content compliance
- No visibility into placement signals at the mailbox provider (MBP) level
“We were getting stuck in the spam folder or throttled at just the wrong times. Every peak season felt like a gamble.” — Tino Delnero, Founder, Seido Knives
The InboxAlly Solution
To address these challenges, Seido onboarded InboxAlly and immediately began utilizing its deliverability features, including:
- Seed-based engagement to build positive reader behavior at scale
- Domain/IP monitoring and recovery through consistent inbox interaction
- Tiered warm-up strategies aligned with Klaviyo sending behavior
Strategy Highlights:
- Consistent daily engagement from InboxAlly’s seed network
- Real-time inboxing feedback to inform campaign pacing
- Use of higher-tier plans during peak seasons and mid-tier plans to maintain baseline reputation during off-peak
What results did Seido Knives achieve with InboxAlly?
After 8 months with InboxAlly, Seido Knives improved their Klaviyo sender score from approximately 45 to 75 (a record high), raised Google Postmaster domain reputation from Low to High (sustained for 30+ days), and reduced their spam folder rate from over 20% to under 2%.
| Metric | Before InboxAlly | After 8 Months |
|---|---|---|
| Klaviyo Sender Score | ~40–50 | 75 (Record High) |
| Google Postmaster IP Reputation | Medium/Low | High |
| Google Domain Reputation | Low | High (Sustained 30+ Days) |
| Spam Folder Rate | >20% | <2% |
“We finally got to a place that is very healthy… 75 is the best score yet, and that’s incredible.” — Tino Delnero, Founder, Seido Knives
Long-Term Partnership
InboxAlly has since become a core component of Seido Knives’ email marketing stack. The team no longer risks campaign launches blind to inbox placement issues and routinely allocates budget to InboxAlly plans as part of their broader send calendar.
“We definitely see InboxAlly as a long-term partner… we couldn’t have achieved this without InboxAlly’s seed engagement.” — Tino Delnero
What can ecommerce brands learn from Seido Knives?
Seido Knives’ experience underscores the mission-critical role of inbox placement in ecommerce success. With InboxAlly, the team:
- Achieved a record-high sender score on Klaviyo
- Sustained high domain and IP reputation for the first time
- Developed a repeatable strategy for deliverability across seasons
This case exemplifies how even well-run email programs can be elevated by layering in targeted inbox placement technology.
How can DTC brands improve email deliverability?
If you’re a DTC brand facing similar deliverability challenges, consider these actionable takeaways:
- Monitor Google Postmaster Tools weekly to assess IP/domain health
- Use InboxAlly seeds before and during critical campaigns—not just for warm-up
- Adjust seed volume tiers based on your sending calendar to maintain flexibility
- Treat reputation as a KPI—not just opens or CTRs
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to improve sender reputation with InboxAlly?
Seido Knives saw meaningful improvement within the first few weeks and achieved record-high sender scores after 8 months of consistent use. Results vary depending on starting reputation and sending volume.
Does InboxAlly work with Klaviyo?
Yes. InboxAlly integrates with any ESP including Klaviyo. Seido Knives runs their entire email program on Klaviyo and used InboxAlly’s seed engagement alongside their normal Klaviyo sends.
What is a good Klaviyo sender score?
Klaviyo sender scores range from 0 to 100. Scores above 70 are considered healthy. Seido Knives improved from approximately 45 to 75, which was their all-time record.
How does seed-based engagement improve inbox placement?
InboxAlly sends seed emails to real inboxes where they are opened, read, and interacted with. These positive engagement signals train mailbox providers like Gmail to trust the sender’s domain and IP, moving future emails out of spam and into the inbox.
Can InboxAlly help during high-volume seasonal sends?
Yes. Seido Knives uses higher-tier InboxAlly plans during peak seasons like holiday sales and product launches, then scales back to mid-tier plans during off-peak periods to maintain baseline reputation.
More InboxAlly Case Studies
- Surveylab: How a High-Volume Sender Recovered Google Reputation
- Wellness Brand: From Spam Folder to 90% Inbox Placement
- Email Marketing Specialist: Open Rate Boost and Spam Reduction
Investing in a deliverability platform can mean the difference between a 20% drop in holiday revenue or a record-setting season.