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Set sender and reply-to addresses

Send from an alias to use a brand or shared address, or set a reply-to so replies land in a specific inbox rather than your sending account. Both options require a small Gmail forwarding configuration to keep YAMM's response tracking working.

Send from an alias​

Define Gmail settings to run your mail merge from a different email address.

1. Add the alias in your Gmail settings​

  1. Click the gear icon > See all settings.

    Gmail Quick settings panel with See all settings, opened from the gear icon

  2. In the Accounts tab, next to Send mail as, click Add another email address.

    Accounts tab of Gmail settings with Add another email address highlighted next to Send mail as

  3. Enter a name and the alias address. Make sure Treat as an alias is checked. Click Next Step.

    Add another email address you own dialog with a name and alias address entered and Treat as an alias checked

  4. Click Send verification.

    Verify your email address step with the Send Verification button

  5. From the alias account inbox, open the verification email Google sent, and click on the verification link.

The new email address appears next to Send mail as in your Gmail settings.

Send mail as setting listing the verified alias below the primary address

For more help, see Send emails from a different address or alias.

warning

To send from an alias domain on Google Workspace, turn on DKIM on the alias domain. Otherwise messages from your alias are more likely to be marked as spam. Configure DKIM in the Authenticate email page of your Google Admin console.

2. Run a mail merge with your alias​

  1. Open your spreadsheet. Extensions > Yet Another Mail Merge: Mail Merge for Gmail > Start Mail Merge.

    Start Mail Merge from the Extensions menu

  2. Click + Alias, filters, personalized attachments...

    Start Mail Merge window with the Alias, filters, personalized attachments link highlighted
    warning

    If you send from a different address (alias) and want to track responses, further Gmail configuration is necessary — see Track responses below.

  3. Select your alias address and click Back.

    Send from dropdown in the Start Mail Merge window with the alias address selected, above the Back button

  4. Configure and start your mail merge.

Recipients receive an email from the alias account.

Received email sent from the alias address, shown in the recipient inbox

The alias feature does not work with the test email option. See The 'Send from' field (alias picker) isn't working if needed.

How aliases affect deliverability​

An alias is useful if you don't want recipients to see your real email address, or if you want brand consistency through a personalized domain, but sending from an alias can impact your email deliverability.

Your emails may not be delivered through Gmail servers if:

  • Recipients perceive the alias as spoofing and report your email as phishing. Their servers may then block your emails for future campaigns.

  • Your emails get flagged as spam too often. See What is spam?

Follow these best practices to protect your deliverability:

  • Use a domain that reflects your company or organization's activity.

  • Avoid spammy names (e.g., makefastcash.com) — they trigger spam filters.

  • Always include an unsubscribe link so recipients don't click the spam button to unsubscribe.

Set a reply-to address​

Use the reply-to option if you want recipients to reply to a different email address than the one you run your mail merge from.

  1. Open your spreadsheet. Extensions > Yet Another Mail Merge: Mail Merge for Gmail > Start Mail Merge.

    Start Mail Merge from the Extensions menu

  2. Click + Alias, filters, personalized attachments...

    Start Mail Merge window with the Alias, filters, personalized attachments link highlighted

  3. In the Reply-to address field, enter the email address you want to receive your recipients' responses.

    Reply-to address field of the Start Mail Merge window filled with the address that receives responses
    tip

    To send responses to several inboxes, enter multiple addresses separated with a comma and space.

  4. Click Back.

  5. Configure and start your mail merge.

The reply-to address appears in the email.

Expanded email details in Gmail showing the reply-to address separate from the sending address

If you entered several addresses, recipients reply to all of them when they click Reply.

Reply box pre-filled with both reply-to addresses

Track responses​

If you run a mail merge with an alias or have configured a different reply-to address, responses don't arrive at the email address from which the mail merge is sent. To track all responses, configure your alias or reply-to address to forward to the sender address.

  1. Log in to your second Gmail account (your alias or "reply-to" account).

  2. From the top-right corner, click the Settings icon and click See all settings.

    Gmail Quick settings panel of the alias account with See all settings

  3. Click the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab > Add a forwarding address.

    Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab of Gmail settings with Add a forwarding address highlighted

  4. Enter your primary email address and click Next.

    Add a forwarding address dialog with the primary address entered and the Next button

  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to verify the forwarding address.

  6. Back in the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab, select Forward a copy of incoming mail to and enter your primary address.

    Forwarding set to send a copy of incoming mail to the primary address

  7. Click Save Changes.

Responses sent to the alias or reply-to address are now forwarded to your sender address and correctly counted in the tracking report.

What's next​