Why emails go to junk, SPF, DKIM and DMARC explained

Every receiving mail server scores incoming messages before deciding between the inbox and the junk folder. It looks at whether the sending server is allowed to send for your domain, whether the message was tampered with, the reputation of the sending server and domain, and the content of the message itself. No single thing guarantees delivery, but the checks below cover the big ones.

• SPF, a list in your domain's DNS of the servers allowed to send email for you. If a server is not on the list, receivers get suspicious.
• DKIM, a digital signature added to each message that proves it really came from your domain and was not changed on the way.
• DMARC, a policy that tells receivers what to do when SPF or DKIM fail, for example deliver, quarantine or reject, and sends you reports about who is sending as your domain.
• On our hosting, SPF is added automatically, DKIM signatures are set up for you, and a DMARC policy can be arranged in a few clicks, all of it managed by us.
• If your domain's DNS is with someone else, ask us for the exact records to add there.

1. 1Send a test email to a Gmail or Outlook address you control, then check whether it lands in the inbox or junk.
2. 2In Gmail, open the message, click the three dots, then Show original. Look for SPF, DKIM and DMARC each showing PASS.
3. 3Ask the person you are emailing to check their junk folder and mark your message as Not junk, this trains their filter.
4. 4Send a test to mail-tester.com for a free deliverability score and a list of anything it flags.
5. 5If you suddenly cannot reach one particular company, the problem is often their filter, not your setup. Ask them to whitelist your address, or ask us to.

• Missing or broken SPF, DKIM or DMARC records, especially after a domain or DNS change.
• A new domain with no sending history, reputation builds over time.
• Sending marketing or bulk email from a normal mailbox instead of a proper mailing service.
• Spam like content, too many links, all capitals, or attachments that filters distrust.
• Your domain or server appearing on a blocklist, often after a compromised mailbox sent spam. Tell us immediately if you suspect this.

If your mail is landing in junk, send us the address you sent from, the address you sent to, roughly when, and if possible the full headers or the Show original output from the receiving side. With that we can check your SPF, DKIM and DMARC records and the sending logs.