In the vast realm of digital communication, email stands as a cornerstone, enabling seamless exchange of information across individuals and organizations. At the heart of this email ecosystem lies the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), a standardized protocol that governs the delivery of electronic messages. Within the SMTP framework, SMTP relay plays a pivotal role, ensuring that emails reach their intended destinations with efficiency and reliability.

SMTP relay, also known as mail relay, acts as an intermediary, facilitating the transfer of emails between different mail servers. It serves as a crucial component in the email delivery process, particularly when emails originate from one domain and are destined for another. By employing SMTP relay, organizations can overcome the limitations of their internal mail servers and ensure that their messages are delivered promptly and securely.

This article delves into the intricacies of SMTP relay, providing a comprehensive overview of its purpose, functionality, and practical applications. It unravels the mechanisms behind SMTP relay's operation, shedding light on its various types and the distinct roles they play in the email delivery landscape. Additionally, it explores the advantages and potential drawbacks of utilizing SMTP relay, empowering readers to make informed decisions regarding their email communication strategies.

What is SMTP Relay?

SMTP relay, or also known as mail relay, is a server that functions as an intermediary for sending emails from one SMTP server to another SMTP server. SMTP relay is used for various purposes, including:

• Sending email from devices that do not have their own SMTP server
• Sending a large number of emails
• Send emails anonymously

SMTP itself is an abbreviation of Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. This is a simple email sending protocol that generally works in conjunction with IMAP and POP3. When SMTP sends an email, IMAP or POP3 will receive it.

Even when sending emails via free services like Gmail, we actually use SMTP. However, this term is more popular in business circles. Many marketers and procurement teams need paid SMTP for sending large volumes of emails.

So it's not wrong if you think that SMTP is used to help with email marketing and transactional email activities. It's true, paid SMTP provides a dedicated server and dedicated IP. Both help to successfully send emails in high volume and frequency.

How SMTP Relay Works

The way SMTP relay works begins when a user sends an email from his device to the SMTP relay server. The SMTP relay server will then check the recipient's email address and determine the domain. If the recipient's domain is different from the sender's domain, the SMTP relay server will forward the email to the SMTP server belonging to the recipient's domain.

How SMTP works is often analogous to a postal courier delivering letters. They will take the letter from your address to send it to the destination address. However, along the way, the letter may stop at several regional post offices. In email sending it is called a hop.

This 'stopping' process usually aims to avoid traffic jams or collisions. However, with SMTP it won't last so long that it interferes with the timeliness of sending your email. SMTP will find the path with the least risk. This is especially true if you use a dedicated server.

Benefits of SMTP Relay

SMTP Relay comes with many benefits, especially for business needs. This benefit is most pronounced when compared to free email providers that don't give you a dedicated server. Let's see what benefits you can get.

1. Efficiency

SMTP relay can be used to send large amounts of email efficiently. This is because SMTP relay can handle TCP/IP connections simultaneously, so it can send emails simultaneously.

This way, you can streamline your work. Sending emails becomes more regular and you can be lighter in monitoring them. Even if a problem occurs, such as a bounce, the cause and solution will be easier to find.

2. Security

SMTP relay can help improve email delivery security by filtering spam and phishing emails. Spam is unwanted email and usually contains irrelevant or even malicious content. Phishing emails are emails that try to trick recipients into giving away personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.

SMTP relay usually uses spam filtering technology to block spam emails. In addition, SMTP relay can also use phishing protection technology to block phishing emails.

Apart from that, your email security will be more guaranteed if you use an SMTP service that offers email authentication. Configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC can improve your email security.

3. Ease of use

SMTP relay usually has an easy-to-use interface, so users can quickly and easily send emails. In addition, SMTP relay usually comes with complete documentation, so users can learn how to use it easily.

So, even though it seems like it requires more steps than free email service providers, SMTP is still easy to use. For laypeople, we recommend choosing a local SMTP service that provides a support team. Make sure they are easy to contact and ask for help when you encounter problems.

Apart from the benefits above, SMTP relay can also be used for:

• Send email from devices that don't have their own SMTP server, such as mobile devices or IoT devices.
• Send emails anonymously, so that the sender's email address is not visible to the recipient.

However, it is important to use SMTP relay responsibly to avoid misuse, such as for sending spam or phishing emails.

Types of SMTP Relay

There are two types of SMTP relay, namely internal and external.

Internal SMTP relay is commonly used by organizations or companies to send internal emails. It includes professional emails between members of the organization. For example, national holiday notification emails, work request emails to other teams, and so on.

Meanwhile, an external SMTP relay is used to send emails to users outside the organization. So, within your organization, you will get a special domain. So, email addresses outside the domain will be able to send emails to each other using this external SMTP.

mailtarget SMTP Relay

We offer SMTP relays aimed at companies and businesses. We can help you send a number of emails in a certain volume and frequency quickly, precisely and safely. The Layang SMTP technology that we use has advanced capabilities in finding the best path for sending your emails.

Regarding security, we have received ISO certification which guarantees it. In this SMTP technology, we added TLS and SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations. More importantly, our infrastructure is in-country making it suitable for the BFSI industry. Your financial and customer data will be on a local server according to OJK regulations.

Please explore for yourself to see exactly what kind of services we offer. You can learn other things about SMTP here. Or sign up to try our Sandbox.

(V.V)