> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xem.email/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Email deliverability

# Email Deliverability Best Practices

Want your emails to actually reach inboxes instead of spam folders? Here's everything you need to know about email deliverability.

## 🏠 Domain & DNS Setup

### SPF Record

Add this to your DNS to prevent spoofing:

```
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:_spf.posthoot.com ~all
```

### DKIM Authentication

Enable DKIM signing for your domain:

```bash theme={"dark"}
# Generate DKIM key
openssl genrsa -out private.key 2048
openssl rsa -in private.key -pubout -out public.key
```

### DMARC Policy

Set up DMARC to monitor and protect your domain:

```
v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com
```

## 📧 Email Content Best Practices

### Subject Lines

✅ **Do:**

* Keep under 50 characters
* Be specific and relevant
* Use personalization: "Hey {{name}}, your order is ready!"
* Test different variations

❌ **Don't:**

* Use ALL CAPS
* Include spam trigger words: "FREE", "ACT NOW", "LIMITED TIME"
* Use excessive punctuation: "!!!"
* Be misleading or clickbait

### Email Body

✅ **Do:**

* Use a clear, professional tone
* Include your physical address (required by law)
* Provide an unsubscribe link
* Test on mobile devices
* Keep HTML simple and clean

❌ **Don't:**

* Use excessive images (text-to-image ratio should be 80:20)
* Include suspicious links
* Use poor grammar or spelling
* Send from "noreply@" addresses

## 📊 List Management

### Clean Your List Regularly

```javascript theme={"dark"}
// Remove bounced emails
const cleanList = async (emailList) => {
  const cleaned = emailList.filter(email => {
    return !email.bounced && !email.unsubscribed;
  });
  return cleaned;
};
```

### Double Opt-in

Always confirm subscriptions:

```javascript theme={"dark"}
// Send confirmation email
await sendEmail({
  to: user.email,
  subject: "Confirm your subscription",
  body: `Click here to confirm: ${confirmationLink}`
});
```

### Unsubscribe Handling

Make it easy to unsubscribe:

```html theme={"dark"}
<!-- Always include this -->
<p>Don't want these emails? <a href="{{unsubscribe_url}}">Unsubscribe</a></p>
```

## 🚀 Sending Best Practices

### Warm Up Your IP

Start slow and gradually increase volume:

* Day 1-7: 50 emails/day
* Day 8-14: 100 emails/day
* Day 15-21: 250 emails/day
* Day 22+: 500+ emails/day

### Send at Optimal Times

Based on your audience:

* **B2B**: Tuesday-Thursday, 9-11 AM
* **B2C**: Tuesday-Thursday, 6-8 PM
* **Weekends**: Avoid unless your audience is active

### Monitor Your Reputation

Track these metrics:

* **Bounce Rate**: Keep under 2%
* **Spam Complaints**: Keep under 0.1%
* **Open Rate**: Aim for 20%+
* **Click Rate**: Aim for 2%+

## 🔧 Technical Setup

### SMTP Configuration

```javascript theme={"dark"}
// Use proper SMTP settings
const smtpConfig = {
  host: 'smtp.gmail.com',
  port: 587,
  secure: false, // Use TLS
  auth: {
    user: 'your-email@gmail.com',
    pass: 'your-app-password'
  }
};
```

### Rate Limiting

Respect rate limits to avoid being flagged:

```javascript theme={"dark"}
// Implement exponential backoff
const sendWithBackoff = async (email, retries = 3) => {
  try {
    return await sendEmail(email);
  } catch (error) {
    if (error.status === 429 && retries > 0) {
      await new Promise(resolve => 
        setTimeout(resolve, Math.pow(2, 4 - retries) * 1000)
      );
      return sendWithBackoff(email, retries - 1);
    }
    throw error;
  }
};
```

## 📈 Monitoring & Testing

### Test Before Sending

```javascript theme={"dark"}
// Send test emails to yourself first
const testEmail = async () => {
  await sendEmail({
    to: 'your-email@domain.com',
    subject: 'Test Email',
    body: 'This is a test email'
  });
};
```

### Monitor Deliverability

Check these regularly:

* **Inbox Placement**: Use tools like Mail Tester
* **Spam Score**: Keep under 5/10
* **Authentication**: Verify SPF, DKIM, DMARC
* **Blacklist Status**: Check major blacklists

## 🛠️ Tools & Resources

### Testing Tools

* **Mail Tester**: Test email deliverability
* **GlockApps**: Check spam score
* **250ok**: Monitor sending reputation
* **MXToolbox**: Check blacklist status

### Monitoring Services

* **Postmark**: Real-time delivery tracking
* **SendGrid**: Detailed analytics
* **Mailgun**: Bounce and complaint handling

## 🚨 Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. **Buying Email Lists**: Never buy lists - always grow organically
2. **Ignoring Bounces**: Remove hard bounces immediately
3. **Sending Too Fast**: Respect rate limits and warm up gradually
4. **Poor List Hygiene**: Clean your list regularly
5. **No Authentication**: Always set up SPF, DKIM, DMARC

## 📞 Need Help?

If you're still having deliverability issues:

1. **Check your sending reputation** on major ISPs
2. **Review your email content** for spam triggers
3. **Verify your DNS settings** are correct
4. **Contact our support team** for personalized help

**Support**: [support@posthoot.com](mailto:support@posthoot.com)
**Community**: [Discord](https://discord.gg/MXQgb9s5bA)