Email Deliverability FAQ

Emails go to spam when email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is missing or misconfigured. Email providers like Gmail and Outlook check these DNS records to verify that emails really come from who they claim to be.

Without proper authentication, your emails look suspicious and get filtered to spam. Learn more in our guide on why emails go to spam.

Yes. SPF alone is not enough. Modern email authentication requires SPF, DKIM, and DMARC working together.

If you have SPF but missing DKIM orDMARC, your emails can still go to spam. Additionally, your SPF record might be incomplete (missing some email services) or have too many DNS lookups.

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a DNS record that lists all servers allowed to send emails on behalf of your domain. It helps email providers verify that an email claiming to be from your domain was actually sent by an authorized server. Read our complete SPF guide for more details.

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to your emails. This signature proves the email was not modified after it was sent. Think of it like a wax seal on a letter - if someone tampers with the email, the signature breaks. Learn about common DKIM setup problems.

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance) is a DNS record that tells email providers what to do when SPF or DKIM checks fail. It can instruct providers to deliver the email normally (none), send it to spam (quarantine), or reject it entirely (reject). Find out what happens if DMARC is missing.

Yes, DMARC is now required for bulk email senders. In February 2024, Google and Yahoo started requiring DMARC for anyone sending more than 5,000 emails per day.

Even if you send fewer emails, having DMARC significantly improves deliverability and protects your domain from spoofing. Read more aboutDMARC requirements.

After adding a DMARC DNS record, it typically takes 24-48 hours for DNS changes to propagate worldwide. However, the effect on your email deliverability may take longer as email providers update their records about your domain. Give it at least a week to see the full impact.

DMARC reports are optional but useful. They tell you which emails are passing or failing authentication, and can alert you if someone is spoofing your domain. For most small businesses, a simple DMARC policy without reports is sufficient. You can always add reporting later.

Mailchimp emails go to spam when your domain authentication is incomplete. You need to:

1. Add Mailchimp to your SPF record (include:servers.mcsv.net)
2. Set up DKIM for Mailchimp in your domain DNS
3. Have a DMARC policy

Mailchimp provides specific instructions in their settings under "Verified domains."

If you use Google Workspace and your emails go to spam, check:

1. Your SPF record includes _spf.google.com
2. DKIM is enabled in Google Admin and the DNS record is added
3. You have a DMARC policy

Also ensure you're not sending to purchased lists or triggering spam filters with your content.

Use an email deliverability checker to scan your domain. This will check your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records and identify any problems. Look for tools that check multiple DKIM selectors, as different email services use different selectors. You can check your domain for free using the form below.

To fix email deliverability:

1. Check your current authentication status with a domain scanner
2. Fix or add your SPF record to include all email services you use
3. Enable DKIM in each email service and add the DNS records
4. Add a DMARC policy (start with p=quarantine)

This typically takes about 5 minutes to configure. Read our complete guide onhow to fix emails going to spam.