How to fix email problems

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19 guides · tag Gmail

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Gmail and Yahoo bulk sender requirements Since 2024, Gmail and Yahoo require large senders to authenticate their emails, offer one-click unsubscribe and keep spam complaints very low. Here is the checklist. Fix it
Your emails land in Gmail's spam folder When Gmail sends your emails to spam, the cause is almost always authentication, reputation or content. Here is how to find which one and fix it. Fix it
Gmail bounce "550 5.7.26": unauthenticated email Gmail refused your email because it could not confirm it comes from your domain. SPF, DKIM or DMARC is missing or failing. Here is how to fix it. Fix it
Add a List-Unsubscribe header (one-click unsubscribe) The List-Unsubscribe header lets Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook show an Unsubscribe button next to your sender name. Bulk senders must offer it in one click. Fix it
Too many people mark your emails as spam A high spam complaint rate sends all your emails to junk. Learn how to measure complaints, get feedback loops and send only to people who want your emails. Fix it
Missing or wrong Date and Message-ID headers Every email should carry a correct Date and a unique Message-ID. Without them, spam filters add points and Gmail can refuse the email. Fix it
Gmail shows "via" or "sent on behalf of" next to your name Recipients see "via another-domain.com" or "on behalf of" because your email is signed or sent with another domain. Sign it with your own domain. Fix it
Your emails land in Gmail's Promotions tab The Promotions tab is not spam: Gmail is sorting your marketing emails. Learn when it is normal, and what helps personal and transactional emails stay in Primary. Fix it
Email too big: Gmail clips messages over 102 KB When the HTML of an email is larger than about 102 KB, Gmail cuts it and shows "[Message clipped]". Your unsubscribe link and footer can disappear. Fix it
Gmail warning "Be careful with this message" Gmail shows a yellow or red banner on your email because it could not confirm you sent it. Fix your authentication and the warning goes away. Fix it
Gmail "421 4.7.28": unusual rate of unsolicited mail Gmail is slowing down your emails because it sees a sudden spike or spam-like traffic from your IP or domain. Slow down and fix your reputation. Fix it
Gmail bounce "550 5.7.25": reverse DNS (PTR) required Gmail refuses your email because your sending IP has no reverse DNS, or one that does not point back to the IP. Ask your host to set a proper PTR. Fix it
Set up Google Postmaster Tools step by step Google Postmaster Tools is Gmail's free dashboard for senders. Verify your domain once and watch your spam rate and compliance status. Fix it
Gmail "550-5.7.1 ... likely unsolicited mail": why it happens and how to fix it Gmail rejected your email as likely spam. Learn what triggers 550-5.7.1 unsolicited mail and how to fix authentication, reputation and content. Fix it
Gmail "421-4.7.0 ... very low reputation of the sending IP address": how to fix it Gmail is temporarily deferring your emails because of low IP or domain reputation. Learn why 421-4.7.0 happens and how to rebuild your reputation. Fix it
Gmail "550-5.7.28 ... unusual rate of unsolicited mail from your IP address": how to fix it Gmail blocked your IP after detecting an unusual rate of unsolicited mail. Find the source of the spam, stop it and rebuild your reputation. Fix it
Gmail "552-5.7.0 ... content presents a potential security issue": blocked attachments fixed Gmail blocked your email because of a risky attachment: executable, script, macro or protected archive. See which files are blocked and how to share them. Fix it
Gmail "550 5.4.5 Daily user sending limit exceeded": what to do Your Gmail or Google Workspace account reached its daily sending limit. Learn the limits, how long the block lasts and how to send bulk email properly. Fix it
Gmail "550-5.7.1 ... is not RFC 5322 compliant": fix missing or duplicate headers Gmail rejected your email because its headers break the RFC 5322 standard: missing or duplicate From, Date or Message-ID. Here is how to fix it. Fix it

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