The way emails are prioritised in inboxes is changing. AI is now acting as an intermediary between you and your subscribers, deciding which emails get seen and which ones get buried. Gmail, Apple Mail, and Outlook are all rolling out AI-powered filtering that determines email placement based on relevance, not just send time.

This doesn't mean email marketing is going the way of social media. But it does means engagement matters more than ever. When subscribers open, click, and reply to your emails, both the AI and your audience see you as valuable. The businesses that focus on real connection and strategic engagement will win.

In this episode I cover:
What Gmail, Apple Mail, and Outlook are doing with AI filtering right now
Why engagement (opens, clicks, replies) is your secret weapon against deprioritisation
Seven practical strategies to keep your emails visible and valued

The shift: AI isn't out to get you. It's trying to serve your subscribers. When your emails genuinely connect, provide value, and spark action, both your subscribers and the AI will prioritise you. Focus on engagement and you'll stay visible where it counts.

This of course is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to email engagement. There is a lot more too it which is why I have a full course dedicated to the toping - Engaging Emails. Get it at yaelkeon.com/engage

 

Next Steps:
Hang out with me on Instagram @yaelkeon
Write your next Engaging Email with my CustomGPT The Engaging Emails Studio
Get a free Email Engagement Checkup
Join The Email Experience
Work with Me

The way emails are prioritised in inboxes is changing. AI is now acting as an intermediary between you and your subscribers, deciding which emails get seen and which ones get buried. Gmail, Apple Mail, and Outlook are all rolling out AI-powered filtering that determines email placement based on relevance, not just send time.
This doesn't mean email marketing is going the way of social media. But it does means engagement matters more than ever. When subscribers open, click, and reply to your emails, both the AI and your audience see you as valuable. The businesses that focus on real connection and strategic engagement will win.
In this episode I cover:
<ul>
<li>What Gmail, Apple Mail, and Outlook are doing with AI filtering right now</li>
<li>Why engagement (opens, clicks, replies) is your secret weapon against deprioritisation</li>
<li>Seven practical strategies to keep your emails visible and valued</li>
</ul>
The shift: AI isn't out to get you. It's trying to serve your subscribers. When your emails genuinely connect, provide value, and spark action, both your subscribers and the AI will prioritise you. Focus on engagement and you'll stay visible where it counts.
This of course is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to email engagement. There is a lot more too it which is why I have a full course dedicated to the toping - Engaging Emails. Get it at <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/engage">yaelkeon.com/engage</a>
&nbsp;
Next Steps:
<ul>
<li>Hang out with me on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yaelkeon/">@yaelkeon</a></li>
<li>Write your next Engaging Email with my CustomGPT <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/studio/">The Engaging Emails Studio</a></li>
<li>Get a free <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/engagement-checkup/">Email Engagement Checkup</a></li>
<li>Join <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/experience/">The Email Experience</a></li>
<li><a href="https://yaelkeon.com/work-with-me/">Work with Me</a></li>
</ul>

Easy Email Marketing with Yael Keon is the go to podcast for all things email marketing & automation. You'll discover how to grow your list full of quality subscribers, how to serve that list with open-worthy emails and how to convert those subscribers into buyers. All in a feel-good, service led way.

We'll also explore email automation, segmenting and just what is the right email software for you - whether you have an e-commerce, services or digital products business. All so you can get it setup simply, quickly & effectively and get back to the more important things in life. All while building the business lifestyle you desire.

Easy Email Marketing with Yael Keon is the go to podcast for all things email marketing &amp; automation. You'll discover how to grow your list full of quality subscribers, how to serve that list with open-worthy emails and how to convert those subscribers into buyers. All in a feel-good, service led way.
We'll also explore email automation, segmenting and just what is the right email software for you - whether you have an e-commerce, services or digital products business. All so you can get it setup simply, quickly &amp; effectively and get back to the more important things in life. All while building the business lifestyle you desire.

Feel-good email marketing & automation tips for small business owners

Easy Email Marketing with Yael Keon

Algorithm’s Are Coming to Inboxes: What You Need to Know About It

With AI answering every question under the sun, you might be wondering: what's the point of sending helpful emails anymore? Can't people just ask ChatGPT for tips, hacks, and how-tos instead?

I get it. It feels like helpful content is losing its edge. But helpful emails aren't dead, they're just different. And if you stop sending them, you're missing a massive opportunity to build trust with your audience.

You'll learn:
Why helpful emails still matter (even with AI everywhere)
The trust gap AI can't fill—and how you can
Five types of helpful content that AI simply can't replicate

Yes, AI adoption is growing (36.9% in Australia, according to Microsoft's 2025/2026 report). But that still means most of your audience isn't turning to AI for answers. And even for those who are, there's a crucial question they're asking: Can I trust this information?

That's where you come in. Your email list chose you because they trust your insights, your perspective, and your expertise. They want content that's tailored to their situation—not generic advice from a bot that might make up statistics.

So instead of abandoning helpful emails, evolve them. Share decision-making guides, explain the why behind your recommendations, use stories and metaphors to help people understand, showcase your thought leadership, and offer bite-sized wins that spark action.

 

Next Steps:
Hang out with me on Instagram @yaelkeon
Write your next Engaging Email with my CustomGPT The Engaging Emails Studio
Get a free Email Engagement Checkup
Join The Email Experience
Work with Me

With AI answering every question under the sun, you might be wondering: what's the point of sending helpful emails anymore? Can't people just ask ChatGPT for tips, hacks, and how-tos instead?
I get it. It feels like helpful content is losing its edge. But helpful emails aren't dead, they're just different. And if you stop sending them, you're missing a massive opportunity to build trust with your audience.
You'll learn:
<ul>
<li>Why helpful emails still matter (even with AI everywhere)</li>
<li>The trust gap AI can't fill&mdash;and how you can</li>
<li>Five types of helpful content that AI simply can't replicate</li>
</ul>
Yes, AI adoption is growing (36.9% in Australia, according to Microsoft's 2025/2026 report). But that still means most of your audience isn't turning to AI for answers. And even for those who are, there's a crucial question they're asking: Can I trust this information?
That's where you come in. Your email list chose you because they trust your insights, your perspective, and your expertise. They want content that's tailored to their situation&mdash;not generic advice from a bot that might make up statistics.
So instead of abandoning helpful emails, evolve them. Share decision-making guides, explain the why behind your recommendations, use stories and metaphors to help people understand, showcase your thought leadership, and offer bite-sized wins that spark action.
&nbsp;
Next Steps:
<ul>
<li>Hang out with me on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yaelkeon/">@yaelkeon</a></li>
<li>Write your next Engaging Email with my CustomGPT <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/studio/">The Engaging Emails Studio</a></li>
<li>Get a free <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/engagement-checkup/">Email Engagement Checkup</a></li>
<li>Join <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/experience/">The Email Experience</a></li>
<li><a href="https://yaelkeon.com/work-with-me/">Work with Me</a></li>
</ul>

Helpful Emails Are Not Dead

If I hear someone else tell you “the money is in the list” without explaining how you’re actually meant to grow one in 2026, I might scream (or at least quietly scowl).

Because yes, your email list growth still matters. But the old advice? A lot of it just doesn’t cut it anymore.

In this episode, I’m getting very honest about why list building feels harder than it used to even if you’re doing “all the right things”.

Rather than pretending it’s easy or blaming yourself, I’m breaking down what’s actually going on, how it’s impacting me and what I intend to do about it

You’ll learn:
Why classic lead magnet advice is falling flat (and what to check before you scrap yours)
How to tell if your issue is traffic, conversion, or relevance
The lead magnet types I’m testing instead of just creating another PDF
How I’ll be measuring success beyond list size (hello, engagement and sales)

For me, this isn’t about finding the perfect strategy. It’s about getting back into the habit of list building, using what I already have, testing one thing at a time, and paying attention to what actually moves the needle.

If you want to follow along with my experiments. I’ll be chronicling the strategies, setups, and real results as they happen to members of the List Building Chronicles email list. No big funnel. No pressure. Just honest insights as I test and tweak. Join at yaelkeon.com/chronicles

(How meta is that!)

 

Next Steps:
Hang out with me on Instagram @yaelkeon
Write your next Engaging Email with my CustomGPT The Engaging Emails Studio
Get a free Email Engagement Checkup
Join The Email Experience
Work with Me

If I hear someone else tell you &ldquo;the money is in the list&rdquo; without explaining how you&rsquo;re actually meant to grow one in 2026, I might scream (or at least quietly scowl).
Because yes, your email list growth still matters. But the old advice? A lot of it just doesn&rsquo;t cut it anymore.
In this episode, I&rsquo;m getting very honest about why list building feels harder than it used to even if you&rsquo;re doing &ldquo;all the right things&rdquo;.
Rather than pretending it&rsquo;s easy or blaming yourself, I&rsquo;m breaking down what&rsquo;s actually going on, how it&rsquo;s impacting me and what I intend to do about it
You&rsquo;ll learn:
<ul>
<li>Why classic lead magnet advice is falling flat (and what to check before you scrap yours)</li>
<li>How to tell if your issue is traffic, conversion, or relevance</li>
<li>The lead magnet types I&rsquo;m testing instead of just creating another PDF</li>
<li>How I&rsquo;ll be measuring success beyond list size (hello, engagement and sales)</li>
</ul>
For me, this isn&rsquo;t about finding the perfect strategy. It&rsquo;s about getting back into the habit of list building, using what I already have, testing one thing at a time, and paying attention to what actually moves the needle.
If you want to follow along with my experiments. I&rsquo;ll be chronicling the strategies, setups, and real results as they happen to members of the List Building Chronicles email list. No big funnel. No pressure. Just honest insights as I test and tweak. Join at <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/chronicles">yaelkeon.com/chronicles</a>
(How meta is that!)
&nbsp;
Next Steps:
<ul>
<li>Hang out with me on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yaelkeon/">@yaelkeon</a></li>
<li>Write your next Engaging Email with my CustomGPT <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/studio/">The Engaging Emails Studio</a></li>
<li>Get a free <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/engagement-checkup/">Email Engagement Checkup</a></li>
<li>Join <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/experience/">The Email Experience</a></li>
<li><a href="https://yaelkeon.com/work-with-me/">Work with Me</a></li>
</ul>

The Year of List Building

If you’re anything like most business owners, you fall into one of two camps when it comes to planning.

You either love this time of year. Colour-coded calendars, big ideas, all the optimism.

Or you’ve gone the opposite way and decided to wing it because planning never seems to stick anyway.

Both approaches sabotage your email marketing.

In this episode, we’re talking about the middle ground. The kind of planning that gives you clarity and momentum without boxing you in. And the key dos & don’ts that help email stay consistent & purposeful. Plus get that all important engagement & sales.

You’ll learn:
Why starting from scratch every year is exhausting and unnecessary
How to plan your emails without locking yourself into rigid schedules
What to focus on first so you are not drowning in email projects
How to avoid shiny objects and keep email aligned with your actual goals
How to keep your plan realistic, achievable AND flexible

Plus my approach to planning each year, each quarter and each month.

The big reframe: planning is not about controlling every email you will send. It is about creating enough structure to support consistency, while still leaving space for real life, data, and opportunities to guide you.

 

Want to see more of what I get up to when I’m not podcasting?
Hang out with me on Instagram @yaelkeon
Get my freebie: 80+ Fill in the Blank Email Ideas
Get the FREE getting started course: Get Started with Email Marketing
Shop The Email Marketing Superstore
Join The Email Experience
1-1 Consulting

If you&rsquo;re anything like most business owners, you fall into one of two camps when it comes to planning.
You either love this time of year. Colour-coded calendars, big ideas, all the optimism.
Or you&rsquo;ve gone the opposite way and decided to wing it because planning never seems to stick anyway.
Both approaches sabotage your email marketing.
In this episode, we&rsquo;re talking about the middle ground. The kind of planning that gives you clarity and momentum without boxing you in. And the key dos &amp; don&rsquo;ts that help email stay consistent &amp; purposeful. Plus get that all important engagement &amp; sales.
You&rsquo;ll learn:
<ul>
<li>Why starting from scratch every year is exhausting and unnecessary</li>
<li>How to plan your emails without locking yourself into rigid schedules</li>
<li>What to focus on first so you are not drowning in email projects</li>
<li>How to avoid shiny objects and keep email aligned with your actual goals</li>
<li>How to keep your plan realistic, achievable AND flexible</li>
</ul>
Plus my approach to planning each year, each quarter and each month.
The big reframe: planning is not about controlling every email you will send. It is about creating enough structure to support consistency, while still leaving space for real life, data, and opportunities to guide you.
&nbsp;
Want to see more of what I get up to when I&rsquo;m not podcasting?
<ul>
<li>Hang out with me on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yaelkeon/">@yaelkeon</a></li>
<li>Get my freebie: <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/ideas">80+ Fill in the Blank Email Ideas</a></li>
<li>Get the FREE getting started course: <a href="http://yaelkeon.com/start">Get Started with Email Marketing</a></li>
<li>Shop <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/shop/">The Email Marketing Superstore</a></li>
<li>Join <a href="https://yaelkeon.com/experience/">The Email Experience</a></li>
<li><a href="https://yaelkeon.com/work-with-me/">1-1 Consulting</a></li>
</ul>

Algorithm’s Are Coming to Inboxes: What You Need to Know About It

Easy Email Marketing with Yael Keon

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Easy Email Marketing with Yael Keon

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