Stop Your Emails Landing in Spam — Complete SPF, DKIM & DMARC Guide (2026)

Stop Your Business Emails Landing in Spam — Complete SPF, DKIM & DMARC Guide (2026)

If your business emails are landing in Spam, or customers say they never received your message, the problem is not your Gmail or Outlook — it’s your domain authentication.

90% of India’s small business websites do not have SPF, DKIM or DMARC records configured — leading to massive revenue leaks.

This guide will show you exactly how to fix that.

📩 Why Do Emails Land in Spam?

Modern email providers like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo and ProtonMail check:

  • SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
  • DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
  • DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance)
  • IP Reputation
  • TLS/SSL
  • PTR/rDNS

If even one is missing, your emails are dropped or flagged as spam.

🧩 What Are SPF, DKIM & DMARC?

🔹 SPF (Sender Policy Framework)

SPF tells the world: “These servers are allowed to send email from my domain.”

Example SPF record: 
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

🔹 DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)

DKIM adds a cryptographic signature to your emails to prove they aren’t modified.

🔹 DMARC (Email Policy Control)

DMARC tells mail servers what to do when SPF or DKIM fails:

Options:
  • none — monitor only
  • quarantine — mark as spam
  • reject — block it completely
Example DMARC record: 
v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com

🚨 Symptoms of Poor Email Authentication

If you notice:
  • Emails go to Spam
  • Emails don’t reach customers
  • OTP mails not delivered
  • CRM mails dropped
  • Order confirmation missing
  • Hosting suspended for spam
You have broken email authentication.

🔬 Quick 2-Minute Spam Test

Step 1: Send an email to yourself (Gmail/Outlook) Step 2: Open the email → Click 3-dots → “Show Original” Check:
  • SPF: PASS/FAIL
  • DKIM: PASS/FAIL
  • DMARC: PASS/FAIL

🛠 Tools to Diagnose Email Issues

Use these tools: MXToolbox Mail-Tester Dmarcian Postmark SPF/DKIM Check If SPF/DKIM/DMARC fail → fix immediately.

🔧 How to Setup SPF, DKIM & DMARC (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Locate Your DNS

Common DNS providers:
  • GoDaddy
  • Namecheap
  • BigRock
  • Cloudflare
  • cPanel DNS
  • Hostinger DNS
  • SiteGround DNS

Step 2: Add SPF Record

Example for Google Workspace: 
Name: @ Type: TXT Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all TTL: 3600
For Zoho Mail: 
v=spf1 include:zoho.in ~all
For cPanel: 
v=spf1 +a +mx +ip4:YOUR_SERVER_IP ~all

Step 3: Add DKIM Record

Generated in:
  • Google Admin Console
  • Zoho Mail Admin
  • cPanel Email Deliverability

Step 4: Add DMARC Record

Start with “none” mode: 
Name: _dmarc Type: TXT Value: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com; sp=none; TTL: 3600
After 30–60 days, switch to: 
p=quarantine
or 
p=reject

📉 Real Business Damage Due to Spam Issues

Businesses lose:
  • Leads (forms don’t reach)
  • Sales (invoices don’t reach)
  • Trust (spam label kills credibility)
  • Access (hosting suspensions)
Example:
A real estate builder in Badlapur lost 65+ leads in 2 weeks because contact form SMTP was broken. Fixing SPF/DKIM/DMARC restored inbox delivery.

📍 Local Email Deliverability Issues in Badlapur/Ambernath

Most businesses here use:
  • Gmail + domain alias
  • cPanel email
  • poorly configured SMTP
  • No DMARC monitoring
Result: Emails go to spam silently.

🛡 We Fix Business Email Deliverability End-to-End

At Chaitanya Digital Solutions, we fix:
  • SPF Setup
  • DKIM Setup
  • DMARC Setup
  • SMTP + TLS
  • PTR/rDNS Records
  • BIMI (optional)
  • IP Reputation
  • Mailbox domain alignment
Time Required: 1–3 Hours Mode: Remote or On-Site (Badlapur/Ambernath/Kalyan)

📞 Need Immediate Email Fix?

Contact us:

Send the message: “Email Deliverability Fix”

❓ FAQ

Q: What is DMARC used for?

It prevents domain spoofing and phishing.

Q: Does SPF alone fix spam?

No. You need SPF + DKIM + DMARC.

Q: Why do Gmail emails go to spam?

Because domain lacks DMARC/SPF/DKIM.

🌐 Service Coverage

  • Badlapur
  • Ambernath
  • Kalyan
  • Dombivli
  • Taloja
  • Mumbai
  • Navi Mumbai
Citations & References:
Google Mail FAQ
DMARC.org
MXToolbox
💬