Why are my emails going to spam?

Why are my emails going to spam?

Overview

If your emails are landing in spam or junk folders, it usually means receiving mail servers don’t fully trust your domain or email setup. This is common with new domains or incorrectly configured DNS records.

Common Reasons This Happens

1. Missing or incorrect SPF record

SPF tells other mail servers which servers are allowed to send email on behalf of your domain. Without it, emails may be flagged as suspicious.

2. Missing DKIM signature

DKIM adds a digital signature to your emails to prove they haven’t been altered and are legitimately sent from your domain.

3. Missing DMARC policy

DMARC helps email providers decide what to do with unauthenticated emails (deliver, spam, or reject).

4. New or low-reputation domain

New domains don’t yet have a sending history, so email providers treat them cautiously.

5. Poor email content or formatting

Emails that include:

• Too many links
• Spam-triggering words
• Poor formatting can also be flagged.

6. Sending from incorrect server

If you're sending email from an external SMTP server that is not authorised in your DNS records, emails may fail authentication checks.

How to Fix It

Step 1 – Check DNS records

Ensure your domain has:

• SPF record
• DKIM enabled
• DMARC record

These can usually be managed in DirectAdmin under DNS settings.

Step 2 – Enable email authentication

Make sure SPF and DKIM are enabled for your domain in your hosting control panel.

Step 3 – Use correct SMTP settings

Always send emails using:

• mail.yourdomain.com
• Authenticated SMTP (port 465 or 587)

Step 4 – Improve sender reputation

• Avoid sending bulk emails too quickly
• Keep email content clean and professional
• Encourage recipients to mark your emails as “Not spam”

Important Notes

• It can take time for reputation improvements to take effect
• Even correctly configured emails may occasionally land in spam initially
• Consistency is key to building trust with email providers

Common Issues & Fixes

Emails still going to spam after setup

• Recheck SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records
• Ensure domain is fully propagated

Only some recipients receive emails in spam

• Different providers (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) use different filtering rules

Need Help?

If your emails are still going to spam after checking these settings, our support team can review your domain configuration and help improve your email deliverability.