Email Deliverability Test
What Is an Email Deliverability Test?
An email deliverability test is a comprehensive check of all the DNS-based authentication protocols that determine whether your emails reach recipients' inboxes or end up in spam. Rather than checking each protocol individually, our test runs SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and MX checks simultaneously and presents a combined report with an overall health score for your domain's email configuration.
Email deliverability depends on a chain of authentication protocols working together. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) tells receiving servers which IP addresses are authorized to send email for your domain. DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a cryptographic signature to verify that messages have not been altered in transit. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) defines what receiving servers should do when messages fail SPF or DKIM checks. MX records ensure that your domain has properly configured mail servers to receive replies and bounce notifications.
Major email providers including Gmail, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, and Apple Mail all evaluate these protocols when deciding where to deliver incoming email. A domain with valid SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records has a significantly higher chance of reaching the inbox compared to a domain missing any of these. Starting in 2024, Google and Yahoo began requiring SPF and DKIM authentication for bulk senders, with DMARC recommended for all domains.
Our test checks each protocol and reports whether it passes or fails, along with relevant details. For SPF, it validates the record syntax and checks the DNS lookup count. For DKIM, it looks up the default selector to verify a signing key exists. For DMARC, it checks whether a policy is published and what enforcement level is set. For MX, it verifies that mail server records exist and resolve to valid IP addresses.
The overall score reflects the completeness and correctness of your email authentication setup. A perfect score means all four protocols are properly configured. Missing or misconfigured protocols reduce the score and are highlighted with specific recommendations for improvement. Regular testing is recommended, especially after making DNS changes or switching email providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an email deliverability test?
It checks all DNS records and authentication protocols that affect inbox delivery: SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and MX records. You get a combined report with an overall health score showing which protocols pass and which need attention.
Why are my emails going to spam?
Common causes: missing/invalid SPF record, no DKIM signing, no DMARC policy, blacklisted IP, poor sender reputation, or spam-like content. This test checks the DNS configuration to identify missing or misconfigured authentication protocols.
What score do I need for good deliverability?
Ideally all four checks should pass: valid SPF, valid DKIM, DMARC policy (p=quarantine or p=reject), and properly configured MX records. Missing any of these reduces inbox placement, especially with Gmail and Outlook.
How do SPF, DKIM, and DMARC work together?
SPF verifies authorized sending servers. DKIM adds cryptographic signatures for integrity. DMARC defines what happens when messages fail either check and enables reporting. All three are needed for comprehensive authentication.