What is “engagement prioritization” in Gmail’s inbox?

Engagement prioritization in Gmail's inbox means that even within categories like Promotions, Gmail ranks messages by predicted relevance to each user. Emails from senders with strong engagement history appear higher than those from senders the user typically ignores.

This prioritization uses signals including open rates, click rates, reply rates, and how quickly users engage after delivery. Gmail learns individual preferences: if you always open newsletters from Brand A but rarely engage with Brand B, Brand A's emails surface more prominently.

For marketers, engagement prioritization reinforces the importance of sending relevant content to interested subscribers. Volume tactics that prioritize reach over relevance can backfire as Gmail learns to deprioritize your messages for users who do not engage, creating a downward spiral of declining visibility.