Deliverability, the glass ceiling of email
You can have the best subject line, the finest design and the best offer: if your emails land in spam, none of it counts. Deliverability is the glass ceiling of your entire email program, and it starts with your domain's authentication.
Four pillars, read in real time in your DNS:
- SPFWho is allowed to send for you
- DKIMThe signature that proves authenticity
- DMARCThe anti-spoofing policy
- BIMIYour logo in the inbox
Since 2024, Gmail and Yahoo require SPF, DKIM and DMARC from senders. Without them, your emails are throttled or rejected, often without you knowing.
This audit reads your real DNS records: it isn't an estimate, it's your actual configuration.
SPF, DKIM, DMARC: what each one is for
These three DNS records answer a single question for mailbox providers: can this sender be trusted. SPF declares which servers are allowed to send emails in your name. DKIM adds a cryptographic signature proving the message wasn't tampered with and really comes from you. DMARC tells mailbox providers what to do when SPF or DKIM fail: ignore, quarantine or reject. Without these three pillars aligned, your sender reputation stays capped.
What Gmail and Yahoo require since 2024
Since February 2024, Gmail and Yahoo require senders to have a valid SPF and DKIM, a published DMARC, a one-click unsubscribe link and a complaint rate kept low. These are no longer optional best practices: a non-compliant domain sees its emails throttled or blocked, often without notification. Many brands lose email revenue without understanding why.
Why a DNS audit beats an estimate
Many tools estimate your deliverability from a theoretical score. This one reads your real DNS records at the moment of the test: it's your exact configuration, not an average. You see precisely what's missing or misconfigured, and the fix plan targets your real records.
Want to secure your deliverability, clean your list and turn email into a real revenue channel? That's what we do at Stride-up.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my emails land in spam?
Most often because of incomplete authentication (a missing or misconfigured SPF, DKIM or DMARC), a damaged sender reputation, a poorly engaged contact list, or a complaint rate that runs too high. The first thing to check is your domain's authentication, because it sets the stage for everything else.
What are SPF, DKIM and DMARC?
They are three DNS records that prove to mailbox providers that your emails are legitimate. SPF lists the servers allowed to send on your behalf. DKIM signs your messages to prove they haven't been altered. DMARC says what to do when a check fails and protects your domain against spoofing. All three must be present and aligned.
What is the difference between SPF and DKIM?
SPF checks where the email is sent from, meaning whether the sending server is authorized. DKIM checks the message's integrity through a cryptographic signature. SPF answers "who is sending", DKIM answers "is the message authentic and intact". The two are complementary, and DMARC relies on both.
What do Gmail and Yahoo require from senders since 2024?
Since 2024, Gmail and Yahoo require a valid SPF and DKIM, a published DMARC, one-click unsubscribe and a complaint rate kept below 0.3%. A non-compliant domain sees its emails throttled or rejected. These rules mainly apply to high-volume senders, but they hold as a baseline for everyone.
How can I check my email deliverability for free?
You can look up your DNS records manually, but it is technical and incomplete. This tool reads your SPF, DKIM, DMARC and BIMI live, gives you a score and a readable fix plan. It's free and based on your real configuration, not an estimate.
What is BIMI and is it mandatory?
BIMI displays your brand's logo next to your emails in some mailboxes, which builds trust and lifts open rates. It isn't mandatory, but it requires a DMARC set to a strict policy. It's a sign of maturity more than a deliverability prerequisite.
Digital that performs, straight to your inbox.