Guides

What to do when your emails land in spam

If your email keeps landing in spam, the cause is almost always domain configuration, not the wording of the message. Most often SPF, DKIM, or DMARC is missing, or the server IP has ended up on a blacklist. Here is the order of steps that covers the main causes.

1. Set up the SPF, DKIM, DMARC trio

   This is reason number one. Make sure all three records exist and are valid - without them mail servers do not trust the sender. Start with SPF, then DKIM, then DMARC.

2. Check PTR (reverse DNS)

   The IP you send from should have a PTR record pointing to your mail host name. A PTR mismatch is a common spam trigger. On shared hosting the provider sets this up.

3. Check the domain and IP against blacklists

   If your server lands on a DNSBL, mail gets blocked in bulk. Check the IP and, if needed, request removal from the list operator.

4. Send from an address on your own domain

   Avoid @gmail.com or similar addresses in the From field for bulk mail. The From address must be on your domain, protected by SPF and DKIM.

5. Remove spammy signals from the message

   Add an unsubscribe link, do not send a single large image with no text, and avoid link shorteners and trigger words in the subject.

6. Warm up a new domain gradually

   A brand-new domain with no sending history looks suspicious. Ramp up volume slowly instead of blasting thousands of messages on day one.

How to verify the result

Run the domain through the TechGuard email checker - it shows the state of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC in one pass and points out what is missing.

Tip: A single SPF mistake ruins deliverability, so begin your diagnosis there.

Related guides

• How to set up an SPF record in cPanel
• How to add a DKIM signature for your domain
• How to set up DMARC starting with p=none
• How to add MX records for a new domain