Google’s October 15th Security Updates: How Gemini AI Will Transform Cold Emailing and Deliverability

Big changes are heading our way on October 15th, and if you’re sending cold emails, you’ll want to pay attention. The key update? Google’s rolling out Gemini AI, and it’s about to shake up how Gmail handles your emails.

Let’s break it down:

Gemini AI: A New Era for Email Filtering

Gemini AI is the latest AI system in Google’s ecosystem, and it’s going to change the way your emails get filtered. Forget the old-school spam triggers. Gemini is smarter—it digs deeper. It's not just looking for the typical spam cues anymore, it’s looking at how valuable and engaging your content is.

If you’re still using a one-size-fits-all template for your cold outreach, you’re in for a rough time. Gemini’s content analysis goes beyond just checking for suspicious keywords—it’s reading between the lines, analyzing intent, and even gauging the relevance of what you’re sending.

Translation: Generic emails won’t cut it anymore. To get past the filters, your emails need to be personalized, offering value that resonates with your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP).

AI-Powered Smart Replies

It’s not just about filtering. Gemini AI is also upgrading Gmail’s Smart Replies. The system will now use AI to understand the intent and sentiment behind emails and suggest responses accordingly.

So, if you’re sending out cold emails to prospects you’ve never spoken to before, there’s a good chance Gemini will flag it as cold outreach or spam—especially if your email feels too “salesy” right off the bat.

The solution? Don’t lead with a pitch. Instead, create content that builds trust, engages recipients, and sparks a conversation. Cold emails are evolving—your approach has to evolve too.

Why Your Technical Setup Won’t Save You Anymore

In the past, getting your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings right was crucial for hitting the inbox. And while that’s still important, Gemini AI is taking things a step further. Gmail’s new priority? Engagement.

If your emails aren’t getting replies, your deliverability will suffer. Gmail’s looking at metrics like how recipients interact with your emails, and it’s using that data to decide whether you belong in the inbox or the spam folder.

My advice? Shift your focus to engagement. It’s no longer about open rates or click rates. What matters is reply rates. Start testing your emails to see what drives real responses, not just clicks.

What Else is Changing with Gmail’s October 15th Update?

Besides Gemini AI, Google is making a series of tweaks and optimizations that will impact cold outreach and email deliverability as a whole. Here are a few key updates you should know:

1. Stricter Spam Filtering Policies

Gmail is stepping up its game when it comes to filtering out unsolicited emails. With Gemini AI, it will be able to better detect spam-like patterns even in emails that technically meet deliverability standards. This means that even well-formatted emails with proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC) could get flagged if they’re not engaging.

2. Behavioral Tracking for Email Filtering

Beyond just looking at the content of an email, Gmail will also start looking at recipient behavior to determine whether an email deserves to land in the inbox. For example, if users frequently delete or mark your emails as spam, even without opening them, your reputation with Gmail’s servers will take a hit. So, it’s essential that you focus on sending emails that recipients actually want to engage with.

3. Increased Focus on Security

As part of its security update, Gmail will also place a stronger emphasis on ensuring that emails don’t come from compromised accounts. Google is introducing additional authentication layers to make sure your emails come from a verified, legitimate sender, not a compromised or spoofed email address.

How to Adapt to Google’s October 15th Update

Now that we know what’s coming, here’s how you can get ahead of these changes:

1. Prioritize Engagement Over Clicks

Focus on building conversations, not just getting people to open or click. Reply rates will now be the most important metric. Ensure your emails spark meaningful interactions that lead to responses rather than just one-time clicks.

2. Personalize Your Content

Generic templates won’t cut it anymore. With Gemini AI analyzing email content for relevance, personalization is key. Tailor your emails to each recipient—this is about knowing your audience and delivering value that feels tailored to their needs.

3. Optimize Your Infrastructure

Keep your sending path lean. The fewer hops your email takes, the better your chances of hitting the inbox. Make sure your email setup is efficient and free from unnecessary relays. Use authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC properly, but also ensure that your infrastructure is well-optimized to meet Google’s security standards.

4. Test for Reply Rates, Not Just Open Rates

With Google’s increasing focus on engagement, the importance of reply rates is higher than ever. Start A/B testing your emails to see which ones drive the most responses. Shift your metrics from vanity numbers like open rates to more meaningful data points like reply rates and user engagement.

5. Be Authentic and Build Relationships

Forget about the hard sell. Instead, create emails that build relationships. When people open your emails, they should feel like they’re reading something personal, not generic. Your cold email strategy should now be about long-term relationship building rather than immediate conversions.

Conclusion: Quality Over Quantity

The October 15th update is a wake-up call for anyone doing cold outreach. Generic templates and click-focused metrics are on their way out. Moving forward, it’s all about authenticity and conversation-driven emails.

Gemini AI will reward marketers who deliver value, personalize their content, and prioritize engagement. If you’re still relying on old strategies, now’s the time to shift gears. Need help adjusting to the new rules? Reach out, and we’ll help you improve your deliverability.