Email Deliverability
Technical checks to ensure email deliverability and authentication
Checks
SPF Record Configured
Verify SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record exists and is valid
SPF prevents email spoofing and improves deliverability
DKIM Signature
Verify DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is configured and signing emails
DKIM provides email authentication and improves deliverability
DMARC Policy
Verify DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication) policy is configured
DMARC protects against email spoofing and phishing
Reverse DNS (PTR) Record
Verify reverse DNS record exists for sending IP
Reverse DNS improves sender reputation
Bounce Handling
Verify bounce handling is configured (return-path, bounce address)
Proper bounce handling prevents blacklisting
List-Unsubscribe Header
Verify List-Unsubscribe header is present in emails
Required by Gmail and improves deliverability
From Address Consistency
Verify From address domain matches sending domain
Domain mismatch triggers spam filters
Reply-To Address
Verify Reply-To address is set and valid
Proper reply handling improves engagement
IP Reputation Check
Verify sending IP is not on blacklists
Blacklisted IPs have poor deliverability
Domain Reputation Check
Verify sending domain is not on blacklists
Blacklisted domains have poor deliverability
SPF -all Mechanism
Verify SPF record ends with -all or ~all (not +all)
Strict SPF policy prevents unauthorized sending
DMARC Policy Enforcement
Verify DMARC policy is set to quarantine or reject (not none)
Enforcement protects against spoofing
DKIM Key Length
Verify DKIM key is at least 1024 bits
Shorter keys are less secure
MX Records Configured
Verify MX records exist for domain
Required for receiving email
TXT Records Valid
Verify all TXT records (SPF, DMARC) are valid and not too long
Invalid or overly long records cause issues
Sending Rate Limits
Verify sending rate is within provider limits
Exceeding limits causes throttling
IP Warmup Process
Verify new IPs follow warmup process
Gradual warmup improves reputation
Engagement Tracking
Verify opens and clicks are being tracked
Engagement metrics improve deliverability
Unsubscribe Link
Verify unsubscribe link is present and functional
Required by law (CAN-SPAM, GDPR) and improves deliverability
Physical Address
Verify physical mailing address is included (CAN-SPAM requirement)
Required by CAN-SPAM Act
Subject Line Length
Verify subject line is under 50 characters (mobile-friendly)
Long subject lines get truncated
Preheader Text
Verify preheader text is present and meaningful
Preheader improves open rates
Image Alt Text
Verify all images have alt text
Alt text improves accessibility and deliverability
HTML Validation
Verify HTML is valid and well-formed
Invalid HTML can cause rendering issues