Email Deliverability: Don't Shoot Yourself in the Foot

Nothing's more frustrating than sending an important email... only to find it rotting in someone's spam folder. After helping fix hundreds of email setups, here's what actually works to keep your messages deliverable.

Reality check: Most email blocks happen because senders skip basic hygiene checks. Don't be that person.

The Non-Negotiable Requirements

1. Clean IP Address

Run your sending IP through our WHOIS tool and check:

Not listed on Spamhaus or other blacklists
Matches your sending domain's country
Not flagged as residential (big no-no for bulk mail)

2. DNS Records Done Right

Use our DNS checker to verify:

MX records point to actual mail servers
TXT records include SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
No weird CNAMEs on your root domain

3. Reverse DNS That Matches

Check reverse DNS for:

PTR record exists (not "not found")
Name matches your sending domain
Forward DNS resolves back to your IP

Real-World Examples That Failed

Case 1: A client's marketing emails were getting blocked. Turns out their "dedicated" IP was actually a recycled range previously used for spam. Our WHOIS lookup showed it was on three blacklists.

Case 2: A startup couldn't figure out why Gmail rejected their emails. Their DNS check revealed someone had deleted their SPF record during a migration.

Step-by-Step Verification

IP Check
Look up your IP → Check hazard flags → Verify ownership
DNS Audit
Scan your domain → Confirm MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC → Fix missing records
rDNS Test
Check reverse DNS → Ensure match → Update with provider if needed

Pro Tip: Do this before sending campaigns, not after they fail. I check my setups quarterly - it takes 10 minutes and saves headaches.

Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake	How to Catch It	Fix
SPF too strict	DNS check shows "-all" instead of "~all"	Adjust qualifier until you're sure
Missing DKIM	No TXT record with selector	Generate keys in your mail platform
rDNS mismatch	Forward lookup doesn't match IP	Contact hosting provider
Shared blacklisted IP	WHOIS shows high-risk network	Request dedicated IP

Tools That Don't Waste Your Time

Why our tools work when others fail:

IP WHOIS: Shows actual hazard flags, not just registration data
DNS Checker: Verifies all record types at once
Reverse DNS: Tests both PTR and forward confirmation

Verify Your DNS Now

Hit a snag? Email me screenshots of your checks - I'll help diagnose. No upsells, just straight talk.