Knowledgebase

Ensuring Your Emails Reach the Inbox: Using MailTester for Improved Deliverability

For successful communication with your clients and users, it is crucial that your emails land in their inboxes rather than in the spam folder. One useful tool for checking and improving email deliverability is MailTester. This article will guide you on how to use MailTester to optimize your email delivery to the inbox and configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records correctly.

Why Check Email Deliverability?

Checking email deliverability helps ensure that your emails reach the recipients' inboxes and do not end up in spam. This is important for maintaining your domain's reputation and enhancing user engagement.

Step 1: Preparing for Testing

1. Create a Test Email:

   • Prepare the email you want to send for testing its deliverability.

2. Access the MailTester Website:

   • Open MailTester in your browser.

Step 2: Sending the Test Email

1. Obtain a Unique MailTester Address:

   • On the MailTester homepage, you will see a unique email address. Copy this address.

2. Send the Email to This Address:

   • Use your email client or mail server to send the test email to the copied address.

Step 3: Analyzing Results

1. Check Test Results:

   • Return to the MailTester website and click the "Check Result" button (or similar). MailTester will analyze your email and provide results within a few seconds.

2. Review the Report:

   • In the MailTester report, you will see a deliverability score (usually on a scale from 1 to 10) and a detailed analysis of various aspects such as:
     • SPF and DKIM: Checks the correctness of SPF and DKIM records.
     • DMARC: Verifies the presence and correctness of the DMARC record.
     • Email Content: Analyzes the content for spam triggers.
     • Links and Images: Checks for blocked links and incorrect images.
     • Blacklist: Checks if your domain and IP address are on blacklists.
     • Text vs. HTML: Evaluates the ratio of text to HTML in the email.

Step 4: Configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC

1. Configuring SPF (Sender Policy Framework):

   • SPF records specify which servers are allowed to send mail on behalf of your domain. To configure SPF:
     • Identify the IP addresses and domains that will send mail on behalf of your domain.
     • Create or update the SPF record in DNS:
       plaintext

       Копировать код

       v=spf1 ip4:YOUR_SERVER_IP include:_spf.google.com -all
     • ip4:YOUR_SERVER_IP: Replace with your mail server's IP address.
     • include:_spf.google.com: Includes other mail servers (e.g., Google Workspace).
     • -all: Indicates that only the specified IP addresses can send mail.

2. Configuring DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail):

   • DKIM allows you to sign your emails so that receiving servers can verify their authenticity.
     • Generate DKIM keys:
       • Create a key pair (private and public) on your mail server.
     • Configure your mail server to sign emails:
       • Add the private key to your mail server's configuration (e.g., Postfix).
     • Add the public key to DNS:
       plaintext

       Копировать код

       default._domainkey IN TXT "v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=YOUR_PUBLIC_KEY"
     • default: Selector name, which must match the selector in your mail server configuration.
     • p=YOUR_PUBLIC_KEY: Replace with your public key.

3. Configuring DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance):

   • DMARC allows you to specify what to do with emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks and receive delivery reports.
     • Create or update the DMARC record in DNS:
       plaintext

       Копировать код

       _dmarc IN TXT "v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc-failures@yourdomain.com; sp=none; aspf=r; adkim=r"
     • p=none: DMARC policy (can be none, quarantine, or reject).
     • rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com: Address for aggregate reports.
     • ruf=mailto:dmarc-failures@yourdomain.com: Address for failure reports.
     • aspf=r; adkim=r: SPF and DKIM alignment policy (relaxed or strict).

Step 5: Fixing Errors

1. Resolve Issues Indicated in the MailTester Report:
   • If MailTester identifies issues, address them according to the recommendations provided.

Step 6: Retesting

1. Resend the Test Email:

   • After making corrections, resend the test email to the unique MailTester address and check the results.

2. Repeat Until Optimal Results Are Achieved:

   • Continue making adjustments and testing until you achieve a satisfactory result (usually a score of 9 or 10).

Using MailTester is an effective way to improve your email deliverability and ensure that your emails land in the recipients' inboxes. Regular testing and addressing identified issues will help maintain a good reputation for your domain and ensure reliable email delivery.

If you have any questions or issues during the setup process, the QCKL support team is always ready to assist. We are committed to providing you with the best tools and solutions for your business success.