Errors
Emails Landing in Spam — Why and How to Fix It
SPF and DKIM passing only means you’re authenticated — not trusted. DMARC at none, bad PTR, blocklists, content, or cold IP still land you in spam.
Common causes (rough order)
- DMARC at
p=none— no enforcement - No PTR or PTR doesn’t forward-resolve
- IP on a blocklist
- New IP with no history
- Content triggers — spammy words, bad HTML/text ratio, no unsubscribe
- Low engagement — people mark spam or never open
How to diagnose
Run DNS Preflight with your sending IP — PTR, lists, SPF, DKIM, DMARC in one pass.
Fix it step by step
Step 1 Run DNS Preflight → check health score and all cards
Step 2 If DMARC shows
p=none → plan upgrade to p=quarantineStep 3 If PTR missing → contact your host to add reverse DNS
Step 4 If IP on blocklist → follow blacklisted IP for delisting
Step 5 Check content — test with mail-tester.com alongside DomainPreflight
Step 6 If new IP → warm gradually with low volume
Run DNS Preflight and the Email IP checker
FAQ
SPF and DKIM pass — why am I still in spam?
Auth proves identity — not trust. Reputation, DMARC enforcement, PTR, lists, and content all move the inbox needle.
What’s the fastest fix?
Fix missing PTR, move DMARC toward quarantine/reject when safe, and clear blocklists — big impact fast.
How do I check blocklists?
Use DomainPreflight Email — enter your sending IP and we check major lists.
Does DMARC p=none help spam placement?
No — none only reports. It doesn’t block spoofing or fix reputation.
How long to build IP reputation?
Often 2–4 weeks of consistent, low-bounce sending. Ramp volume slowly.