Why Are My Emails Going to Spam? How to Improve Deliverability

Few things are more frustrating than sending an important email only for it to vanish into a spam folder. The good news: deliverability problems almost always come down to a handful of fixable causes. Here is how to get your mail landing in the inbox where it belongs.

The number one fix: email authentication

Modern mail providers want proof that your email really comes from your domain. Three DNS records provide that proof:

• SPF — lists the servers allowed to send mail for your domain.
• DKIM — adds a digital signature that proves the message was not tampered with.
• DMARC — tells receivers what to do with mail that fails the checks.

Setting these up correctly is the single biggest improvement you can make. Follow our guide on adding SPF, DKIM and DMARC records.

Other common causes

• Spam-like content — ALL CAPS subjects, “free!!!”, too many links or one giant image trigger filters.
• New domain or IP — brand-new senders have no reputation yet, so ramp up volume gradually.
• No unsubscribe link in bulk mail, which providers now expect.
• Blacklisted server — if a server has been abused, its reputation suffers. We monitor this on our side.

Simple habits that help

• Send from a real address at your own domain, not a free one.
• Keep your list clean — remove addresses that bounce.
• Ask important contacts to add you to their address book.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my domain is blacklisted?

Free tools let you check your domain and sending IP against common blacklists. If you find a listing tied to our server, open a ticket and we will investigate.

I set up SPF and DKIM but mail still goes to spam.

Give changes time to take effect (see DNS propagation), and review your content and sending habits, which also weigh heavily.

Does a professional email address really help?

Yes. A branded address at your own domain is far more trusted than a generic free one, both by filters and by recipients.