# Email Deliverability Audit

*A free VigilDog resource — vigildog.com. Work top to bottom; fix in this order.*

Inbox placement is a score across four factors. Audit them in priority order — authentication first,
because nothing else matters if you fail it.

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## 1. Authentication (fix first)

- [ ] **SPF:** exactly ONE `TXT` record at the root, listing every sender, ending in `~all` or `-all`.
- [ ] **SPF lookups:** ≤ 10 DNS lookups total (each `include:` counts). Over the limit = SPF fails.
- [ ] **DKIM:** enabled on every sending platform, each with its own selector + published key.
- [ ] **DMARC:** a `_dmarc` `TXT` record with a `rua=` reporting address.
- [ ] **Alignment:** your legitimate mail passes DMARC via **aligned** SPF or DKIM (the From domain matches the authenticated domain) — check your aggregate reports.

*Verify quickly:* https://vigildog.com/tools/dmarc-checker

## 2. Reputation

- [ ] Domain/IP is **not on a major blocklist**.
- [ ] **Complaint rate** under ~0.1% (Gmail flags above ~0.3%).
- [ ] No sudden **volume spikes** — warm up new domains/IPs gradually.
- [ ] Consistent sending domain + subdomain strategy (e.g. a dedicated `mail.` subdomain).

## 3. List hygiene

- [ ] **Hard bounces** are removed immediately.
- [ ] **Unengaged** addresses (no opens/clicks in 6–12 months) are suppressed.
- [ ] No **purchased/scraped** lists (spam traps → blocklists).
- [ ] **One-click unsubscribe** works (a 2024 Gmail/Yahoo requirement).
- [ ] Sunset policy in place for chronically unengaged contacts.

## 4. Content & format

- [ ] Subject lines avoid spam triggers (ALL CAPS, "FREE!!!", excessive emojis).
- [ ] Not a single giant image with no text; sensible text-to-image ratio.
- [ ] A **plain-text** part accompanies the HTML.
- [ ] From-address is a real, authenticated address on your domain (not a shared ESP domain).
- [ ] Links use your domain, not a generic shortener.

## 5. 2024 bulk-sender requirements (Gmail / Yahoo) — pass/fail

- [ ] SPF **and** DKIM set up and passing.
- [ ] DMARC published (at least `p=none`).
- [ ] One-click list-unsubscribe header.
- [ ] Spam complaint rate kept under 0.3% (ideally < 0.1%).

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## Keep it from drifting

Deliverability breaks quietly — a DNS edit kills DKIM, a new tool sends unaligned, a DMARC record
changes. **[VigilDog](https://vigildog.com/monitoring)** watches your SPF, DKIM and DMARC so a change
surfaces before your open rates drop. Free on your first domain: **https://vigildog.com/signup**