Stand Out in Gmail’s Promotions Tab – Here’s How!

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🚀 The Secret to Getting More Email Opens in Gmail

Did you know that 70% of people check their email on mobile devices? And if you’re in eCommerce, chances are your emails are buried deep in Gmail’s Promotions tab. The real challenge? Standing out.

But here’s the good news: Gmail Annotations can transform how your emails appear—letting you showcase images, deals, and coupons directly in the inbox preview.

If you’re using Klaviyo, this feature can boost open rates, increase click-throughs, and drive more conversions—all before your customer even opens your email.

Let’s dive into how Gmail Annotations can give your emails a competitive edge in an overcrowded inbox.

What Are Gmail Annotations?

Gmail Annotations let you add deal previews, product images, and interactive elements right inside Gmail’s mobile Promotions tab. Instead of fighting for attention, your emails stand out instantly.

✅ Highlight a limited-time deal or coupon code
✅ Display product images directly in the inbox
✅ Use a carousel to showcase multiple products

Why does this matter? Because visual cues = higher engagement. People are more likely to open, click, and convert when they see an eye-catching deal upfront.

Getting Started: Setting Up Gmail Annotations in Klaviyo

Not all emails support Gmail Annotations. To use them, you’ll need to work with custom HTML or hybrid emails in Klaviyo—the drag-and-drop editor won’t cut it.

If coding isn’t your thing, you might need a developer’s help. Klaviyo supports annotations but won’t assist with implementation.

🚀 Pro Tip: Before adding annotations, you must be on Google’s allowlist—otherwise, your code won’t work.

✅ How to request access:
📧 Send an email to [email protected] with:

• Your brand’s domain (e.g., example.com)

• Subdomains (e.g., send.example.com)

• Landing pages linked in your emails

Approval takes 7-10 business days, so plan ahead.

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Download the Guide

3 Types of Gmail Annotations You Can Use

1️⃣ Deal/Offer Annotation (Great for Discounts & Coupons!)

Use this if you want to highlight a discount, coupon code, or free shipping offer.

📌 Example Code:

<div itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/DiscountOffer"> <meta itemprop="description" content="Get 20% Off!"/> <meta itemprop="discountCode" content="SAVE20"/> <meta itemprop="availabilityStarts" content="2025-02-01T00:00:00Z"/> <meta itemprop="availabilityEnds" content="2025-02-07T23:59:59Z"/> </div>

📌 Best for: Flash sales, limited-time discounts, or holiday promotions.

2️⃣ Product Carousel Annotation (Best for Showcasing Multiple Products!)

If you have several products to highlight, a carousel lets you display up to 10 images directly in Gmail’s inbox.

📌 Example Code for Two Products:

<div itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/PromotionCard"> <meta itemprop="image" content="https://yourstore.com/product1.jpg"/> <meta itemprop="url" content="https://yourstore.com/product1"/> <meta itemprop="headline" content="Best-Selling Sneakers"/> <meta itemprop="price" content="89.99"/> <meta itemprop="priceCurrency" content="USD"/> </div> <div itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/PromotionCard"> <meta itemprop="image" content="https://yourstore.com/product2.jpg"/> <meta itemprop="url" content="https://yourstore.com/product2"/> <meta itemprop="headline" content="Limited-Edition Jacket"/> <meta itemprop="price" content="129.99"/> <meta itemprop="priceCurrency" content="USD"/> </div>

📌 Best for: New arrivals, bestsellers, or seasonal collections.

3️⃣ Single Image Annotation (Great for Highlighting One Product!)

If you want to focus on one product, a single image annotation is the way to go.

📌 Example Code:

<div itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/PromotionCard"> <meta itemprop="image" content="https://yourstore.com/product.jpg"/> <meta itemprop="url" content="https://yourstore.com/product"/> </div>

📌 Best for: High-ticket items or exclusive launches.

Troubleshooting Gmail Annotations 🚨

If your annotations aren’t showing up, here’s what to check:

✅ Are you on Google’s allowlist? Apply at least 7-10 days in advance.
✅ Is your image file too small? Make sure images are at least 256x256px and over 500KB.
✅ Are you using unique images per recipient? Don’t! Gmail won’t display them.
✅ Inbox too crowded? If Gmail’s Promotions tab is already filled with annotations, yours might not appear.

Final Thoughts: Is This Worth It?

Absolutely. Gmail Annotations are a no-brainer for eCommerce brands.

📌 More visibility = More opens
📌 More opens = More clicks
📌 More clicks = More sales

If you’re serious about boosting engagement in Klaviyo, adding Gmail Annotations is one of the simplest ways to increase conversions without spending extra on ads.