What KPIs reflect true deliverability (beyond vanity metrics)?

KPIs that actually matter:

Inbox placement rate: Percentage reaching inbox, not just delivered. The real success metric.

Complaint rate: Spam reports per delivered message. Below 0.1% is healthy.

Reputation scores: Gmail Postmaster and SNDS ratings. Leading indicators.

Engaged delivery rate: Percentage of delivered messages that get engagement.

Revenue per delivered email: Business outcome from deliverability investment.

Avoid vanity metrics like total list size or gross delivery rate. They hide placement problems.

Measure cargo that reaches its destination and gets sold, not cargo that merely leaves port.