Aaron Norris · May 2026
Overview
Business emails go to spam for a single reason: the receiving server cannot verify that the message actually came from your domain. Three DNS records (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC) tell the world which servers are authorized to send on your behalf. Without them, every legitimate email looks identical to a spoofed one. Google and Yahoo now reject unauthenticated mail outright.
What the Three Records Do
SPF lists the servers allowed to send mail from your domain. DKIM cryptographically signs each message so the receiver can confirm it was not altered in transit. DMARC ties the two together and tells receiving servers what to do with mail that fails: reject it, quarantine it, or report on it. Until all three are in place and aligned, deliverability is a matter of luck.
The fix is permanent. Once the records are correct and a monitoring policy is set, deliverability stays solved unless something changes upstream.
The Diagnostic
A DMARC report aggregator reveals every server attempting to send mail using your domain. The first month of data usually surprises the owner. Old vendors, forgotten tools, and the occasional spoofing attempt all show up. From there, the policy is tightened in stages until only authorized senders remain.
What to Do Next
If your team reports email deliverability issues, the first step is a DNS audit covering SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Fractional Technical Operations includes this work as a standard remediation. Schedule a consultation to scope it.