If your emails are being marked as spam or failing to arrive at their destination, it is usually due to a lack of proper authentication or a "reputation" issue. Modern mail providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo have strictly increased their security requirements.
1. Verify your DNS Authentication (The "Big Three")
This is the most common cause of delivery failure. Ensure your domain has the following three records correctly configured:
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Tells the world which servers are allowed to send mail for you.
Guide: How to add MyHost's SPF record - DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Adds a digital signature to your emails to prove they haven't been tampered with.
Guide: How to set up DKIM - DMARC: Tells receiving servers what to do if SPF or DKIM fails (e.g., "reject it" or "put it in spam").
Guide: Understanding DMARC records
2. Use the cPanel "Email Deliverability" Tool
cPanel has a built-in diagnostic tool that checks your records for you:
- Log into cPanel (here's how).
- Under the Email section, click Email Deliverability.
- Review the status of your domains. If you see "Problems Exist," click Repair or Manage to view the suggested DNS changes.
3. Check for Blacklisting
If your server's IP address has been flagged for sending spam in the past, your mail may be blocked regardless of your settings.
- Visit MXToolbox Blacklist Check and enter your domain or IP.
- If you are on a Shared Hosting plan and find the IP is blacklisted, please open a support ticket so our team can investigate and request delisting.
4. Check your "From" Address
If your website (e.g., WordPress) is sending emails, ensure it is configured to use a real email address on your domain.
- The Problem: If no address is set, the server defaults to
username@server.myhost.nz. Most mail providers (like Gmail) will automatically reject these or flag them as dangerous. - The Solution: Configure your website or contact form plugin to send From a professional address (e.g.,
contact@yourdomain.co.nz). For best results, use an SMTP plugin to authenticate these sends.
5. Content and "Spammy" Triggers
Sometimes the technical setup is perfect, but the email itself looks like spam to an AI filter. Avoid:
- Using all-caps subject lines.
- Using "trigger" words like "Free," "Guaranteed," or "Winner."
- Having a very low text-to-image ratio (one big image with no text).
- Broken links or linking to suspicious third-party domains.
