Email Deliverability Audit Checklist
A self-service checklist to diagnose and fix deliverability issues—SPF, DKIM, DMARC, blacklists, content triggers, and sender reputation. Stop landing in spam.
What You'll Get
- Diagnostic checklist — Systematic approach to finding issues
- Free tools list — Where to check each issue
- Fix instructions — How to resolve common problems
Download the Checklist
Get the complete audit checklist with tool links and fixes.
No email required. Free to use and share.
Step 1: Check Authentication Records
Start with the technical foundation. Missing or broken records are a common cause of spam filtering.
Step 2: Check Blacklists
Your IP or domain might be on a blacklist without you knowing.
Google Postmaster Status
Check: Google Postmaster Tools
✓ Domain reputation should be "High" or "Medium"
Step 3: Test Deliverability
Send test emails to see where they land.
Inbox Placement Test
Check: GlockApps (paid, or limited free)
✓ Shows where emails land across major providers
Step 4: Review Email Content
Content triggers can hurt deliverability even with perfect technical setup.
Step 5: Review Sending Behavior
How you send matters as much as what you send.
Common Issues & Fixes
Problem: SPF "Soft Fail" or "Fail"
Fix: Update your SPF record to include your email provider. For Google Workspace: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
Problem: DKIM Not Found
Fix: Generate DKIM key in your email provider's admin console and add the TXT record to your DNS.
Problem: Listed on Blacklist
Fix: Most blacklists have a delisting process. Request removal and fix the underlying issue (usually spam complaints or hacked account).
Problem: Low Google Postmaster Reputation
Fix: Reduce volume, improve engagement (send to more responsive contacts), clean your list, wait 2-4 weeks for recovery.
Problem: mail-tester.com Score Below 7
Fix: Review the specific issues noted. Usually authentication records, content, or blacklist related.
When to Stop and Get Help
Your domain is on major blacklists (Spamhaus, Barracuda)
These are harder to get off. May need to consider a new domain while you work on delisting.
Google Postmaster shows "Bad" reputation
Recovery takes time. Consider pausing outreach from this domain for 4-6 weeks.
You've tried everything and still landing in spam
Deliverability consultants exist for a reason. May be worth the investment for complex issues.
How to Run This in Corcava
- Email metrics visible in deals/contacts — Track opens, replies, bounces
- Bounce detection flags bad addresses — Clean your list automatically
- Schedule audit as recurring task — Monthly deliverability check
Maps to: Email Integration, Deals, Tasks features
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I run a deliverability audit?
Monthly for active cold emailers. At minimum, check after any significant drop in reply rates or when starting outreach from a new domain.
My emails go to spam for some recipients but not others. Why?
Different providers have different spam filters. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo all evaluate differently. Focus on the provider where you're having the most issues first.
Can I fix deliverability issues quickly?
Technical issues (DNS records) can be fixed immediately. Reputation issues take 2-6 weeks to recover. There's no shortcut for damaged reputation—you have to rebuild trust gradually.
Is it better to start with a new domain?
If your current domain has severe reputation issues, yes. A new domain with proper warm-up can reach good deliverability faster than rehabilitating a damaged one. Keep the old domain for business email, use the new one for outreach.
Do warm-up tools actually help?
Yes, when used correctly. They build sending history and engagement signals. But they don't fix fundamental issues—if your content is spammy or your list is bad, warm-up won't save you.
What's a good mail-tester.com score?
9/10 or higher is ideal. 7-8 is acceptable but worth investigating the issues noted. Below 7 means something is definitely wrong that needs fixing before scaling outreach.