# Preventing outgoing email from being marked as spam

> Improve your email deliverability with sending best practices and SPF, DKIM and DMARC records so mail avoids spam folders.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/email/guides/preventing-outgoing-email-from-being-marked-as-spam/

Even legitimate e‑mail messages can sometimes be flagged as spam. Mail servers use complex filtering techniques, and spammers constantly adapt to bypass them. As a result, administrators must configure servers carefully to improve deliverability.

## General Best Practices

- **Avoid HTML‑only messages** → Send plain‑text or multi‑part MIME messages with a `text/plain` component.
- **Validate HTML markup** → If sending HTML, ensure it is properly formatted (use the W3C Markup Validation Service).
- **Avoid spammy content** → Limit exclamation marks (!) and dollar signs ($) in subject lines.
- **Authenticate your domain** → Create **SPF (Sender Policy Framework)** records and enable **DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)**.

## Sending to Free E‑mail Providers

Free providers (Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc.) are strict about spam filtering. To improve deliverability:

- ### Yahoo / Gmail / Hotmail

  - Create SPF and DKIM records.
  - Set up **reverse DNS (rDNS)** for your domain.
  - Review provider policies (e.g., Google’s e‑mail guidelines).
  - For Hotmail/MSN, sign up for:

    - ### Junk Email Reporting Partner (JMRP)
    - ### Smart Network Data Services (SNDS)
- ### EarthLink

  - Create SPF and DKIM records.
  - Set up reverse DNS.
  - If blocked, send a request to **blockedbyearthlink@abuse.earthlink.net** with subject line `BlockedIP_ADDRESS`.

## What If Your IP Is Blacklisted?

Organizations like **SpamCop** or **Spamhaus** may block outgoing mail if your IP has a poor reputation.

- If using a **dynamic IP**, contact your ISP for a new one or use your ISP’s SMTP servers.
- If using a **static IP**, follow the blacklist organization’s removal instructions.
- Always ensure your systems are free of malware before requesting removal.