Help Guide
Plain-English answers to why your emails land in spam, and exactly how to fix it.
Common problems
Why are my emails going to spam in Yahoo?Yahoo sends email to spam when SPF, DKIM or DMARC fail, your From address doesn't align, or complaints top 0.3%. See Yahoo's sender rules and the fix.Why does Gmail show 'Be careful with this message' on my emails?Gmail shows "Be careful with this message" when it can't verify your email came from your domain, or it looks like phishing. Match the warning to the fix.Why does Gmail show 'via' next to my name?Gmail shows "via" next to your name when another domain sent or signed your email. Authenticate your domain in the sending service so DKIM signs as you.Why are my Klaviyo emails going to spam?Klaviyo emails go to spam when you send on Klaviyo's shared domain, have no DMARC record, or email people who never open. How to set up a branded domain.Why are my Mailchimp emails going to spam?Mailchimp emails go to spam when you send from a free address or an unauthenticated domain. Here's how to authenticate your domain and add DMARC.Why are my Shopify store emails going to spam?Shopify order emails go to spam when your sender email's domain isn't authenticated or has no DMARC record. See the records Shopify needs and test it.Why does Gmail put my emails in spam?Gmail sends email to spam when it can't confirm it came from your domain or you break its sender rules. Find which rule you fail and the exact fix.
Error messages
550 5.7.1: Why does Gmail say my email is likely unsolicited?Gmail's 550 5.7.1 bounce means its spam filters blocked your email as likely unsolicited. Learn what triggers it, how 421 4.7.28 differs, and how to fix it.550 5.7.26: Why did Gmail block my email as unauthenticated?Gmail's 550 5.7.26 bounce means your email failed SPF, DKIM or your DMARC policy. Learn what each version of the message means and how to fix it.
How-to guides
How do I add SPF, DKIM and DMARC records in Bluehost?In the Bluehost Portal, open Domains, then the DNS tab, and use Add record under Manage Advanced DNS Records. Edit the default SPF record; don't add a second.How do I add SPF, DKIM and DMARC records in IONOS?In IONOS, open Domains & SSL, click the gear next to your domain, choose DNS and use Add record. IONOS adds your domain to the host name, so enter only _dmarc.How do I add SPF, DKIM and DMARC records in Namecheap?Add SPF, DKIM and DMARC under Host Records on the Advanced DNS tab in Namecheap. Use @ for the main domain and only the prefix, like _dmarc, elsewhere.How do I add SPF, DKIM and DMARC records in Network Solutions?Add SPF and DMARC as TXT records and DKIM as TXT or CNAME records under Advanced DNS Records in Network Solutions. Choose Other Host and enter _dmarc for DMARC.How do I add SPF, DKIM and DMARC records in Porkbun?Add SPF and DMARC as TXT records and DKIM as TXT or CNAME records in Porkbun's DNS editor. Leave Host blank for your main domain and enter _dmarc for DMARC.How do I add SPF, DKIM and DMARC records in Squarespace?Add SPF, DKIM and DMARC under Custom Records in your Squarespace domain's DNS settings, including former Google Domains. Enter @ or just the prefix as the Name.How do I authenticate my domain in Mailchimp?Verify your domain in Mailchimp, add the k2 and k3 DKIM CNAME records and one DMARC record, then let Mailchimp check them. Step by step, with exact records.How do I authenticate my domain in Zoho Campaigns?Authenticate your domain in Zoho Campaigns: add the SPF and DKIM TXT records it shows, verify the domain, then add DMARC to meet Gmail and Yahoo's rules.How do I connect my email sending domain in HubSpot?In HubSpot settings, open Domains & URLs, then Email Sending, and click Connect sending domain. Add the DKIM, SPF, DMARC and MX records it shows at your DNS.How do I set up DKIM in Google Workspace?Generate a 2048-bit DKIM key in the Google Admin console, add it as a TXT record at google._domainkey, then click Start authentication. Plus how to check it.How do I set up SPF for Google Workspace?Add one TXT record, v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all, at your DNS provider. Already have SPF? Merge Google into it. Plus the 10-lookup limit.
Explained
What are Gmail and Yahoo's bulk sender requirements?Since 2024, Gmail and Yahoo require bulk senders to use SPF, DKIM and DMARC, offer one-click unsubscribe and keep spam complaints under 0.3%. The full list.What is a DMARC record?A DMARC record is a DNS TXT record that tells Gmail and Yahoo what to do with email that fails SPF and DKIM for your domain, and sends you reports.What is DMARC alignment?DMARC alignment means SPF or DKIM passed for the same domain as your From address. Why SPF can pass while DMARC fails, and how to fix it for each sender.
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