Fixing Spam Folder Issues 2026: Troubleshooting Guide

January 27, 2026 • 9 min read

🚨 Your Emails in Spam?

  • Complete troubleshooting checklist
  • Step-by-step fixes for each issue
  • How to test deliverability
  • Prevention strategies

Emails in spam = zero ROI.

I've fixed deliverability for 200+ domains. Here's the exact troubleshooting process.

Diagnostic Checklist

Run These Tests First:

  1. Send test emails to GlockApps or MailReach
  2. Check inbox placement rate
  3. Review bounce rate
  4. Check spam complaint rate
  5. Verify DNS records
  6. Test blacklist status

Problem 1: No SPF/DKIM/DMARC

Symptom: 0-20% inbox placement

Cause: Missing authentication records

✅ Solution:

  1. Add SPF record to DNS
  2. Configure DKIM in Google Workspace
  3. Set up DMARC policy
  4. Wait 24 hours for propagation
  5. Test again

Expected result: 70-80% inbox placement

Problem 2: Domain Too New

Symptom: Low deliverability from day 1

Cause: Domain has no sending history

✅ Solution:

  1. Buy domain, wait 7 days before sending
  2. Run 21-day warmup process
  3. Start with 5 emails/day
  4. Gradually increase to 50/day

See complete warmup guide.

Problem 3: High Bounce Rate

Symptom: Bounce rate over 5%

Cause: Bad email list quality

✅ Solution:

  1. Stop sending immediately
  2. Verify all emails with ZeroBounce
  3. Remove invalid addresses
  4. Wait 72 hours
  5. Resume sending to clean list

Problem 4: Spam Trigger Words

Symptom: Sudden drop in placement

Cause: Email content triggering spam filters

✅ Solution:

Avoid these words:

  • "Free"
  • "Guarantee"
  • "No cost"
  • "Click here"
  • "Limited time"
  • "Act now"

Problem 5: Sending Too Fast

Symptom: Good placement, then sudden drop

Cause: Scaled volume too quickly

✅ Solution:

  1. Reduce volume by 50%
  2. Wait 7 days
  3. Gradually increase 10% per week
  4. Never exceed 50 emails/day per domain

Problem 6: Domain Blacklisted

Symptom: 0% inbox placement suddenly

Cause: Listed on Spamhaus, Barracuda, etc.

✅ Solution:

  1. Check blacklist status at MXToolbox
  2. Request removal from each list
  3. Fix root cause (bounces, complaints)
  4. Wait 7-14 days for removal
  5. Consider new domain if can't remove

Problem 7: Low Engagement

Symptom: Declining placement over time

Cause: Low open/reply rates

✅ Solution:

  1. Improve personalization
  2. Better subject lines
  3. Add warmup emails (30% of volume)
  4. Clean unengaged contacts monthly

See personalization guide.

Prevention Strategy

To avoid spam folder:

Tools for Monitoring

For complete deliverability guide, see our full article.

— Muhammad
AI Agenix