Definition
What is email deliverability?
Email deliverability refers to the ability of an email to successfully reach a recipient’s inbox without being filtered out as spam or bounced back.
It not only involves reaching a recipient’s inbox but also incorporates security measures that protect both the sender and the recipient.
Security relies on several factors, including sender reputation, email authentication (like SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and sometimes BIMI), content quality, and recipient engagement.
Is my email configured correctly?
Utilize the third-party mail testing tool to verify the proper configuration of your email settings
Impact
What impacts the mail deliverability?
Your sending infrastructure
The infrastructure you are sending from, like your email provider, email service configuration, sending domain, mail authentication or IP address will impact the email deliverability.
The content of an email
Email providers use spam filters to determine whether or not your emails reach the inbox based on content like images, links, and subject lines.
Volume management
Unusual fluctuations in email volume can trigger system alerts, potentially resulting in your email being blocked. Proper email volume management is essential to avoid such disruptions.
Authentification & reputation
Email authentication (via SPF, DKIM, and DMARC) verifies the legitimacy of your emails, reducing the likelihood of being marked as spam. It builds trust with email providers, improves sender reputation, and increases overall deliverability.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question?
FAQ's
What is SPF, and why is it important?
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a DNS record that specifies which mail servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. It helps prevent email spoofing and ensures that your emails are not marked as spam by the recipient’s email provider.
What are DKIM and DMARC, and do I need them?
• DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Adds a digital signature to your emails to verify that they haven’t been altered in transit.
• DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance): Helps enforce SPF and DKIM policies and provides feedback on email activity.
Both are essential for protecting your domain reputation and improving email deliverability.
Why is Gmail asking me to update my DNS records to continue receiving emails?
Gmail requires domains to have valid SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to prevent spoofing and ensure secure communication. Without these records, Gmail may block or mark your emails as untrustworthy.
Starting February 1, 2024, all email senders who send email to Gmail accounts must meet the requirements in this section.
How do I check if my email is configured properly?
• Analyze email headers to verify SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication results. Look for pass and fail indicators in the authentication section.
• Check the blacklist Utilize tools like MXToolbox Header Analyzer to simplify the process of analyzing email headers and identifying configuration issues. This guide may help you through the process.
What is a domain blacklist
It’s a list of domain names flagged as sources of spam, phishing, or other malicious activities. If a domain is on a blacklist, emails sent from that domain are more likely to be blocked, marked as spam, or filtered by email servers and spam protection systems.
What is Domain Spoofing?
Domain spoofing is a cyberattack in which a malicious actor forges an email to appear as though it was sent from a legitimate domain, often to deceive recipients into trusting the email’s content. It is commonly used in phishing, fraud, or spam campaigns.
How to Prevent Domain Spoofing
Set up SPF, DKIM & DMARC DNS records for your domain so it won’t be so easy to use your domains for phishing attacks. Create a policy for handling unauthorized emails and receive reports on email activity.
Steps to Handle a Phishing Email from a Spoofed Domain
• Avoid Interaction – do not click links, download attachments, or reply.
• Verify Sender – analyze email headers (e.g., using MXToolbox) to confirm spoofing.
• Report – notify your IT team, domain owner, and email provider.
• Mark the email as spam/phishing in your email client.
• Update Security – ensure antivirus and endpoint protection tools are updated; scan for threats.
• Block Sender – identify and block the sender’s IP via your IT/admin team.
• Strengthen Domain Security – implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for your domain.
• Monitor for unauthorized activity.
• Educate your team – share examples of phishing emails and reinforce security practices.
• Follow up – reset passwords, update credentials, and monitor for anomalies if accounts or systems are affected.
Contact
Reach out
Let our experts help ensure your emails reach their intended recipients. Whether you’re facing deliverability challenges, spam filtering, or need to improve your email reputation, we’re here to provide tailored solutions that fit your business needs.
