Email Health Checker

Email Health Checker

Not all email addresses are created equal. An email address may be considered “healthy” or “unhealthy” based on multiple factors. When an email address becomes unhealthy, it can end up on an email blacklist—rendering it ineffective and damaging your sender reputation.

Factors such as spam trap hits, unengaged recipients, spam complaints, unsubscribes, and hard bounces play a significant role in determining email health. Even if you think you’ve done everything correctly, misconfigured DNS records—especially SPF, DMARC, and MX records—can cause issues that lead to blacklisting.

What Is SPF DNS Record and How to Set It Up?

An SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record is an email authentication method designed to prevent email spoofing. It specifies which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain, thereby protecting against phishing and spam.

To set up an SPF record:

1. Determine which email servers should be authorized to send emails for your domain.
2. Create an SPF record starting with v=spf1 followed by the allowed IP addresses or hostnames, and end with -all to reject all others.
3. Example: v=spf1 ip4:114.233.31.227 -all

What Is DMARC DNS Record and How to Set It Up?

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) builds on SPF and DKIM to give domain owners greater control over email authentication. DMARC helps ensure that only authorized senders can use your domain and provides feedback about potential fraudulent activity.

To set up a DMARC record:

1. Log in to your domain registrar or DNS hosting provider.
2. Add a new TXT record for _dmarc.yourdomain.com.
3. Start the record with v=DMARC1 and include policies such as p=reject or p=quarantine.
4. Example: v=DMARC1;p=reject;pct=100;rua=mailto:[email protected]

What Is MX DNS Record and How to Set It Up?

An MX (Mail Exchange) record directs email to the correct mail server for your domain. It is essential for ensuring that your email messages are delivered to the right destination.

To set up an MX record:

1. Access your domain’s DNS zone file.
2. Add an MX record specifying the mail server and its priority (lower numbers indicate higher priority).
3. Example: 0 mail.example.com

What Is an Email Blacklist and How to Remove It?

An email blacklist is a list of IP addresses or domains known for sending spam. Being blacklisted can significantly affect your email deliverability.

Even if you follow best practices, misconfigured DNS records might lead to your email address being blacklisted. To resolve this:

1. Review your DNS settings—especially SPF, DMARC, and MX records—to ensure they are correctly configured.
2. Correct any misconfigurations and request removal from the blacklist via the respective operator’s process.
3. Continuously monitor your email activity to prevent future issues.

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