What is “trusted partner program” status for ESPs?

Trusted partner programs provide certified ESPs with preferential treatment:

Certification through programs like Validity (formerly Return Path) demonstrates that an ESP meets quality standards for sender vetting, compliance enforcement, and deliverability practices.

Certified ESPs may receive higher rate limits, reduced filtering scrutiny, and priority support from participating ISPs.

Customers of certified ESPs benefit from improved baseline deliverability, especially during warmup when individual reputation is not yet established.

Certification requires ongoing compliance. ESPs must maintain quality standards or risk losing trusted status.

Trusted partner status is like a shipping company earning preferred vendor certification. Their vessels receive expedited processing because the company has proven operational excellence over time.