Emails Going to Spam? Check Your Domain Now
Find SPF, DKIM, DMARC, blacklist, and reputation issues causing spam filtering.
Takes ~10 seconds
What This Tool Checks
MX Records
Verifies mail server configuration
SPF Record
Checks authorized senders and DNS lookups
DKIM Selectors
Probes common DKIM selectors for signatures
DMARC Policy
Validates policy level and reporting
Blacklist Status
Checks domain against major DNSBLs
TLS/Encryption
Verifies mail server supports TLS
Why Emails Go to Spam: Technical Causes
Missing or broken SPF record
SPF tells receiving servers which IPs are authorized to send email for your domain. Without it, or with syntax errors, your emails fail authentication. Check your SPF record.
DKIM signature failure
DKIM adds a cryptographic signature to prove your email was not modified in transit. If the signature is missing, invalid, or the selector is not published in DNS, authentication fails. Validate your DKIM.
DMARC policy issues
DMARC ties SPF and DKIM together and tells receivers what to do when authentication fails. Missing DMARC or alignment failures cause deliverability problems. Check your DMARC policy.
IP or domain blacklisting
If your sending IP or domain appears on a DNS-based blacklist (DNSBL/RBL), many mail servers will automatically reject or spam your messages. Check blacklist status.
Poor domain reputation
High bounce rates, spam complaints, or inconsistent sending patterns damage your sender reputation over time. New domains without warmup are especially vulnerable.
Missing TLS or weak encryption
Modern mail servers expect encrypted connections. Sending over unencrypted SMTP or using outdated TLS versions raises red flags with receiving servers.
Common Mistakes That Cause Spam Placement
- Multiple SPF includes causing permerror - SPF allows max 10 DNS lookups. Exceeding this causes permanent failure.
- DKIM selector not published in DNS - Mail server signs emails, but public key is missing from DNS.
- DMARC set to p=none indefinitely - Monitor mode provides no protection and signals weak authentication.
- Email provider changed, DNS not updated - Old SPF/DKIM records point to servers that no longer send your mail.
- Sending from new domain without warmup - New domains have no reputation. High volumes trigger spam filters.
How to Fix Email Spam Issues
Check MX Records
Verify your domain has valid MX records pointing to your mail server.
Validate SPF
Confirm SPF exists, has correct syntax, includes all senders, stays under 10 lookups. Run SPF check.
Verify DKIM Alignment
Ensure DKIM is configured for each sending service with proper alignment. Run DKIM check.
Enforce DMARC
Publish DMARC at _dmarc.domain.com. Progress from p=none to p=reject. Run DMARC check.
Check Blacklist Status
Query major DNSBLs for your IP and domain. Follow delisting procedures if listed. Run blacklist check.
Verify TLS-RPT and MTA-STS
Implement MTA-STS to enforce TLS and TLS-RPT for connection failure reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do emails go to spam even with SPF?
SPF alone is not enough. You also need DKIM signatures and a DMARC policy. Additionally, SPF must pass alignment-the domain in the Return-Path must match the From domain. Check for SPF permerror from too many DNS lookups.
How long does it take to fix spam issues?
DNS changes propagate within 1-48 hours. However, reputation recovery can take days to weeks depending on the severity of the issue and your sending volume.
Does DMARC prevent spam?
DMARC prevents others from spoofing your domain, which protects your reputation. It does not directly prevent your emails from going to spam, but proper DMARC alignment improves deliverability.
Can blacklists cause spam filtering?
Yes. If your sending IP or domain is listed on a DNS-based blacklist (DNSBL), many mail servers will reject or spam your messages automatically. Check your blacklist status regularly.
Fix Your Email Spam Issues
Create a free account to see exact DNS fixes, enable monitoring, and get alerts.
Start Free Monitoring