What Does This Error Mean?
This error means your Gmail account has hit its daily sending limit. Gmail enforces these limits to prevent spam and protect account security. Once the limit is reached, all outgoing mail is blocked until the quota resets, but you can still receive emails and access your account normally.
Gmail's Daily Sending Limits
Since Smartlead connects via SMTP/IMAP, the limits that apply to you are: Google
Free Gmail accounts: 500 messages per day, 500 recipients per day
Google Workspace accounts: 2,000 messages per day, 10,000 total recipients per day
How to Fix It
Wait 24 hours - Limits reset on a rolling 24-hour period, not at a fixed time of day. No action is required; sending will resume automatically once the quota resets
Lower your daily sending limit in Smartlead - Go to your campaign or email account settings and reduce the number of emails sent per day to stay within Gmail's limits
Spread sends across multiple inboxes - If you need higher volume, distribute your sending across several Gmail accounts in Smartlead rather than relying on one
Why You Might Be Hitting the Limit Faster Than Expected
Even if your campaign volume looks low, these factors can quietly eat into your daily quota:
Bounced emails still count toward your sending limit before they bounce back
CC and BCC recipients each count individually toward your daily recipient total
Replies and auto-forwards from your account also count toward the limit
New or low-activity accounts may have lower initial limits until Google establishes a sending history
Preventing It From Happening Again
Keep daily sends comfortably below your account's limit to give yourself a safe buffer
Ensure your email list is clean and up to date, as high bounce rates can trigger additional restrictions beyond just the quota error
Avoid sending large volumes in a single burst; spread sends throughout the day
Still Hitting the Limit After Waiting?
If your account remains blocked after 24 hours, it may have been suspended rather than just rate-limited. Google Workspace admins can check and restore suspended accounts here: Restore a suspended Gmail account
If you are on a free Gmail account, contact Google Support directly.
