Scorecard fields
| Signal | Record | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Observed health | Valid ÷ unique rows | Shows the share that met the verification criteria at that time. |
| Risk signals | Invalid + unknown + suppression matches | Keeps actionable and unresolved evidence visible instead of hiding it in one number. |
| Domain concentration | Top domains by risky rows | Helps identify a domain-specific issue worth reviewing. |
| Trend | Compare with the prior assessment | Shows whether cleanup changed the observed mix. |
“Observed health: 86% valid in this assessment window.” Add the date, file ID, and unknown share. Do not say “deliverable,” “inbox-safe,” or “guaranteed.”
Four-step worksheet
Capture the baseline
Write down the file name, file ID, row count, unique count, assessment date, and the verification result mix.
Separate the evidence
Keep valid, invalid, unknown, duplicate, and suppressed rows distinct. Duplicates are a hygiene signal, not a deliverability verdict.
Find concentration and change
Sort risky rows by domain and compare against the previous run. Look for repeated invalid clusters or a rising unknown share.
Assign the next action
Remove or suppress confirmed invalids, review unknowns, investigate domain clusters, then re-check the changed segment.
Prioritize confirmed invalids and suppression matches, review high-risk domains, preserve unknowns for a separate decision, and record what changed before the next assessment.
Questions about the score
What is a deliverability health score?+
It is a transparent summary of observed list signals such as valid, invalid, unknown, duplicate, and suppressed rows. It is not a promise of inbox placement.
Which inputs should I record?+
Record the assessment date, total unique rows, result counts, risky domains, suppression matches, and the source list or file ID. Keep the evidence window visible.
How should I treat unknown results?+
Keep unknown results separate from valid and invalid. They indicate incomplete evidence and should lead to a review or cautious follow-up, not a confident send decision.
How often should I update the score?+
Update it after each meaningful verification pass and compare the same list over time. A trend is more useful than one isolated percentage.