Why Are My Emails Going to Spam? (SPF, DKIM & DMARC Explained Simply)

If your emails are ending up in spam - especially when sending to clients or customers - you're not alone.

It's one of the most common (and frustrating) issues we see with business email.

And most of the time, the problem isn't what you're writing... it's how your email is set up behind the scenes.

The Real Reason Emails Go to Spam

Email providers like Google and Microsoft are constantly trying to stop spam and scams.

To do that, they check whether your email is properly authenticated.

If it's not - even legitimate emails can get flagged as suspicious.

What Is Email Authentication?

Email authentication is how your email system proves:

"Yes, this email really came from me."

There are three main checks involved:

• SPF
• DKIM
• DMARC

They sound technical - but the idea is simple.

SPF (Sender Policy Framework)

SPF tells the receiving server which systems are allowed to send email on behalf of your domain.

Without it:

• Your emails look suspicious
• They're more likely to be marked as spam

Think of it as a "guest list" for who's allowed to send email as your business.

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)

DKIM adds a digital signature to your emails.

This helps prove that the message hasn't been altered and really came from your domain.

Without DKIM, your emails lose credibility.

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication)

DMARC ties everything together.

It tells email providers what to do if SPF or DKIM checks fail.

It also helps:

• Protect your domain from spoofing
• Improve overall email trust

The Case of the Missing Records

Here's the problem we see all the time:

• SPF not set up
• DKIM missing or broken
• DMARC not configured at all

Or sometimes... partially set up in a way that doesn't actually work.

When this happens, your emails can:

• Go to spam
• Be delayed
• Be rejected entirely

Common Situations That Cause This

• Moving to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365
• Using third-party tools (like email marketing platforms)
• Changing website hosting or DNS settings
• Old or incomplete configurations

How to Fix It

Fixing email deliverability usually means properly setting up and verifying:

• SPF records
• DKIM signing
• DMARC policies

This is done through your domain's DNS settings - which is where things can get tricky.

How Local Nerd Can Help

Local Nerd can fix email deliverability issues properly - so your emails actually land where they should.

• Audit your email setup
• Configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC correctly
• Fix missing or conflicting DNS records
• Test and verify email delivery

Stop Your Emails Going to Spam

If your emails aren't reaching your customers, it can impact your business more than you realise.

Book Local Nerd support and get it fixed properly.

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People Also Ask

Why are my emails going to spam in Gmail?

Usually due to missing or incorrect SPF, DKIM, or DMARC settings.

What are SPF, DKIM, and DMARC?

They are authentication methods that verify your emails are legitimate.

Can I fix email spam issues myself?

You can, but it requires access to DNS settings and correct configuration.

How long does it take to fix email deliverability?

Once configured correctly, improvements can happen quickly - often within hours.

Can Local Nerd fix this?

Yes. Local Nerd can diagnose and resolve email authentication issues.