Summary
Experts, email marketers, and documentation collectively recommend a variety of tools and strategies for verifying email settings, authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and compliance with Yahoo/Google guidelines. Key recommendations include using comprehensive suites like GlockApps, Mail-tester, IsNotSpam, and MXToolbox, as well as specialized tools such as SPF record checkers (Dmarcian, SPF Query), DKIM validators (DKIMValidator.com), and DMARC management services (Dmarcian, Agari). Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft's Security & Compliance Center are valuable resources. The importance of regular monitoring, automated testing during development, and checking basic authentication settings are emphasized, with a particular tool, aboutmy.email, highlighted for its comprehensive checking capabilities and API access.
Key findings
- Tool Variety: A diverse range of tools cater to different aspects of email authentication, deliverability, and compliance checking.
- Authentication Essentials: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are critical for email authentication and compliance, recommended by all major sources.
- Monitoring is Key: Regularly monitoring domain reputation and authentication results is crucial for identifying and addressing potential issues.
- Automated Testing Value: Automated testing during development is an effective way to catch and fix email deliverability problems.
- aboutmy.email Highlight: aboutmy.email stands out as a comprehensive tool for checking email settings, authentication, and compliance with API access available.
Key considerations
- Tool Selection: Carefully select tools based on your specific needs, considering comprehensive suites versus specialized validators.
- DMARC Complexity: Evaluate the complexity of DMARC management and whether a dedicated service like Dmarcian or Agari is required.
- Proactive Approach: Adopt a proactive approach to email deliverability by regularly monitoring metrics and incorporating automated testing.
- Compliance Guidelines: Stay updated with the latest email sending guidelines from Yahoo and Google to ensure compliance and optimal deliverability.
What email marketers say
8 marketer opinions
Various email marketers and experts recommend a range of tools for checking email settings, authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and compliance with email providers like Yahoo and Google. These tools include comprehensive suites like GlockApps, Mail-tester, IsNotSpam, and MXToolbox for overall deliverability analysis. Specific tools such as SPF record checkers (Dmarcian, SPF Query), DKIM validators (DKIMValidator.com), and DMARC management services (Dmarcian, Agari) are suggested for focused authentication validation. Automated testing during development is also highlighted as a key practice. Ensuring full authentication is important to avoid spam filters.
Key opinions
- Tool Diversity: A wide array of tools exist for different aspects of email authentication and deliverability, ranging from comprehensive suites to specific validators.
- Authentication Importance: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial for email authentication and ensuring compliance with major email providers like Yahoo and Google.
- Deliverability Insights: Tools like Mail-tester and GlockApps offer insights into how email providers treat your emails, aiding in optimizing content and authentication settings.
- Automated Testing: Automated email testing is a key practice that helps catch and fix any issues before customers see them.
Key considerations
- Comprehensive vs. Specific: Consider whether a comprehensive tool suite or specific validators are more suitable for your needs, based on the level of detail required.
- DMARC Management: Services like Dmarcian and Agari can simplify DMARC management but come with associated costs and complexity.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Regularly monitor email authentication results and deliverability metrics to identify and address potential issues promptly.
- Testing Frequency: Incorporate automated testing into the development process to ensure emails are properly authenticated and delivered.
Marketer view
Email marketer from SMTP2GO suggests using deliverability testing tools like Mail-tester and GlockApps to analyze email content and authentication, offering insights into how email providers like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook treat your emails.
26 Jun 2022 - SMTP2GO
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailosaur recommends doing lots of automated tests as part of your development processes, to test emails before they go to real customers.
28 Nov 2024 - Mailosaur
What the experts say
7 expert opinions
Experts highlight the importance of using tools that provide comprehensive reports on SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations to ensure email authentication and compliance with Yahoo and Google. One tool, aboutmy.email, is praised for its ability to check settings, authentication, and Yahoo/Google compliance, with an API available for both commercial and free access. It simplifies HELO checks for Spamhaus listees. Basic authentication checks are considered fundamental for improving email programs, along with monitoring key metrics.
Key opinions
- Comprehensive Reporting: Tools providing detailed SPF, DKIM, and DMARC reports are essential for ensuring proper email authentication and compliance.
- aboutmy.email Value: aboutmy.email is recognized as a top-tier tool for checking settings, authentication, and compliance, with an available API.
- Authentication Basics: Checking basic authentication settings is a fundamental step in improving email program performance.
- HELO check tool: aboutmy.email makes checking HELO easier for spamhaus listees.
Key considerations
- API Access: Explore the API capabilities of tools like aboutmy.email for automated checks and integration into existing workflows.
- Metric Monitoring: Implement tools to monitor key email program metrics in addition to authentication checks.
- Depth of Analysis: Determine the level of detail required for authentication reports based on your specific needs and expertise.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks responds that he has not been advertising it, but it’s in the FAQ.
16 Jan 2025 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares his first thought when he saw the Aboutmy tool was "oh thank goodness, Steve already built what I need." and that it checks an awful lot more than KBXSCORE does and he is happy that Steve's got something that readily replaces it.
7 Jan 2024 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
Documentation from various sources emphasizes the importance of using specific tools and methods to ensure proper email settings, authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and compliance with email provider guidelines (Google, Microsoft). Google recommends Postmaster Tools for monitoring domain reputation and authentication status. DMARC.org stresses the use of DMARC record validators to prevent phishing. Microsoft's EOP validates emails using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, with the Security & Compliance Center for troubleshooting. MXToolbox Email Health identifies email setup problems, and EasyDMARC advocates for using various tools to confirm effective email authentication.
Key findings
- Google's Postmaster Tools: Google recommends using Postmaster Tools to monitor domain reputation, spam rate, and authentication status to maintain compliance with Gmail's bulk sender guidelines.
- DMARC Validation: DMARC record validators are crucial for ensuring the correct syntax and implementation of DMARC records, aiding in preventing email phishing and spoofing.
- Microsoft EOP Checks: Microsoft's Exchange Online Protection (EOP) uses SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to validate incoming emails, with troubleshooting available in the Security & Compliance Center.
- MXToolbox for Email Health: MXToolbox Email Health helps identify potential problems with email setup, including blacklist checks and SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configuration verification.
- EasyDMARC Tool Variety: EasyDMARC recommends using a variety of tools to confirm the effectiveness of all aspects of the email authentication process.
Key considerations
- Regular Monitoring: Regularly monitor domain reputation and authentication status using tools like Google Postmaster Tools.
- DMARC Implementation: Properly implement and validate DMARC records to prevent email phishing and spoofing.
- Troubleshooting Resources: Utilize troubleshooting resources like the Microsoft Security & Compliance Center for resolving email authentication issues.
- Holistic Approach: Adopt a holistic approach by using a variety of tools to ensure all aspects of email authentication are working effectively.
Technical article
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help outlines that senders should use tools like Postmaster Tools to monitor their domain's reputation, spam rate, and authentication status, which helps in maintaining compliance with Gmail's bulk sender guidelines.
5 Sep 2024 - Google Workspace Admin Help
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft Learn explains that Exchange Online Protection (EOP) uses various checks, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, to validate incoming emails. Admins can use the Security & Compliance Center to review email authentication results and troubleshoot issues.
4 Oct 2022 - Microsoft Learn
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