Why am I getting Google bounces due to PTR record issues, even though my setup seems compliant?
Matthew Whittaker
Co-founder & CTO, Suped
Published 12 Jun 2025
Updated 17 Aug 2025
9 min read
It can be incredibly frustrating to see your emails bounce from Google with a message like '550 5.7.25: The IP address sending this message does not have a PTR record set up,' especially when you're confident your email setup is fully compliant. We've heard this from many senders, and it often stems from a deeper misunderstanding of how Google, and other major mailbox providers, evaluate sender authenticity. You might have checked your DNS records and Google Postmaster Tools, only to find everything appears to be in order, yet the bounces persist. This situation highlights a nuanced but critical aspect of email deliverability.
The confusion often arises because the issue isn't simply the presence of a PTR record, but its precise configuration and consistency. Unlike many other DNS records that you directly control for your domain, PTR records, also known as reverse DNS (rDNS), are managed by the owner of the IP address. This distinction is crucial, particularly when sending emails through third-party platforms like Klaviyo or other email service providers (ESPs). If your ESP's IP address has a misconfigured PTR record, your emails will bounce, regardless of your domain's authentication settings.
The key here is that Google is increasingly stringent about email authentication and sender legitimacy. While you might feel your setup is compliant, Google's interpretation, and its gradual enforcement of new sender requirements introduced earlier this year, can reveal subtle misconfigurations that previously went unnoticed.
Understanding PTR records and Google's requirements
A PTR record performs the opposite function of a standard A record. While an A record translates a domain name into an IP address, a PTR record translates an IP address back into a domain name. This reverse lookup is a fundamental security check used by mail servers to verify the legitimacy of incoming connections.
For email, the PTR record of the sending IP address should resolve to the hostname of the sending server, and that hostname should then resolve back to the same IP address via an A record. This is known as forward-confirmed reverse DNS (FCrDNS), and it's a strong indicator that the sender is legitimate and not a spammer attempting to spoof an address.
Google's explicit PTR requirement
Google's email sender guidelines explicitly state: 'The sending IP address must match the IP address of the hostname specified in the Pointer (PTR) record.' This strict requirement ensures that the IP address sending the email is indeed associated with the domain it claims to represent, significantly reducing the chances of spoofing and spam. While PTR records have always been important, Google's recent updates have escalated their enforcement.
Mailbox providers, like Google, use PTR records as part of their comprehensive anti-spam strategy. If a sending IP address lacks a valid PTR record, or if the forward and reverse DNS do not match, it raises a red flag, often leading to emails being bounced or routed to the spam folder. This is a critical layer of trust in the email ecosystem, complementing other authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
Common reasons for PTR-related bounces
Even with a seemingly compliant setup, several scenarios can lead to PTR-related bounces from Google. It's not uncommon for technical teams or email service providers (ESPs) to overlook specific nuances of PTR configuration, especially when migrating systems or updating IP addresses. One common misconception is that a PTR record is no longer a strict requirement, which is simply incorrect, particularly for major inbox providers. You might see a bounce stating reverse DNS failure from other providers like ATT, indicating similar issues.
Common misconceptions and problems
PTR not needed: Some technical teams might believe PTR records are an outdated requirement, leading to them being neglected or improperly configured.
Old DNS records: During IP changes or migrations, old DNS entries, including A records pointing to previous IPs, might not be properly removed, causing lookup conflicts.
Generic PTRs: Using a generic PTR record, like one provided by a cloud hosting service that doesn't resolve to a unique hostname, can trigger flags.
Third-party ownership: The PTR record is set by the IP owner (your ESP or hosting provider), not by you. If they make changes or misconfigure it, you're impacted.
Actual requirements and solutions
PTR is critical: A valid and matching PTR record is a baseline requirement for reliable email delivery to major providers.
DNS hygiene: Regularly review and clean up all DNS records associated with your sending infrastructure to prevent conflicts.
Specific hostnames: Ensure the PTR record resolves to a specific, unique hostname that also correctly resolves back to the sending IP.
ESP coordination: Work closely with your ESP to ensure their IP addresses are properly configured with FCrDNS.
A common scenario involves third-party email service providers (ESPs). While your domain's SPF and DKIM records might be perfectly set up and pass checks in Google Postmaster Tools, the PTR record issue often lies with the sending IP address that the ESP uses on your behalf. If their IP's PTR record doesn't correctly match its forward DNS, Google will flag it. This explains why your own setup seems compliant, yet you still experience bounces. Even if Google Postmaster Tools shows no errors, PTR can still be the culprit.
Another subtle cause can be outdated or orphaned DNS entries. When an IP address changes, or if you migrate email services, it's possible that old DNS A records or even PTR records from a previous provider linger, creating a conflict. Google's systems are designed to detect such inconsistencies, leading to immediate bounce messages. This is a complex dance where every piece of DNS information needs to align perfectly, and a small oversight can have a disproportionately large impact on your email deliverability rates.
Diagnosing and resolving PTR issues
The first step in resolving PTR issues is to accurately diagnose the problem. Since PTR records are associated with the IP address, you'll need to perform a reverse DNS lookup on the IP address your emails are being sent from, not your domain name. This is often an IP address belonging to your email service provider.
Performing a PTR lookup (Reverse DNS lookup)BASH
dig -x 149.72.183.96 +short
The output should ideally be a single hostname. Once you have the hostname, you then perform a forward DNS lookup (an A record lookup) on that hostname to ensure it resolves back to the original IP address. If these two lookups do not match, or if the PTR record points to multiple IPs, you have an FCrDNS mismatch. For instance, if you're using Cloudflare and encounter a PTR record error, it often relates to how Cloudflare handles DNS for proxied IPs, rather than your direct DNS setup.
Problem observed
Root cause
Resolution steps
No PTR record found
IP has no reverse DNS entry configured by the IP owner (ESP/ISP).
Contact your ESP or hosting provider and request them to set up a PTR record for your sending IP.
PTR exists but doesn't match A record
The IP's PTR points to a hostname, but that hostname's A record points to a different IP, or multiple IPs, or a generic hostname (e.g., from Amazon Web Services (AWS)). This is an FCrDNS mismatch.
Provide your ESP or IP owner with the specific hostname and IP address that need to be aligned for FCrDNS. Ensure old, conflicting A records are removed.
PTR record points to an old server
During migration, the PTR record for the sending IP was not updated to reflect the new server's hostname/IP.
Request your ESP or IP owner to update the PTR record to point to the correct, current hostname and verify that the hostname's A record points back to the sending IP.
The resolution almost always involves contacting the entity that controls the IP address from which your emails are sent. This is typically your ESP or hosting provider. Provide them with the exact sending IP address and explain the need for a correct FCrDNS setup. If the PTR record points to a hostname that is also used for other services, this requires careful coordination to avoid disrupting those services.
Once the necessary DNS changes are made, allow time for propagation (up to 24-48 hours, though often faster). Then, re-test the PTR record and monitor your email bounce logs. Even if you're not on a public blacklist or blocklist, a PTR issue can act like a temporary block, preventing your emails from reaching the inbox.
The role of compliance and enforcement
Google, along with Yahoo, implemented significant changes to their sender requirements earlier this year, effective February 2024. While the initial focus was heavily on DMARC, SPF, and DKIM authentication, the guidelines also reinforced the importance of proper PTR records. The key takeaway from these updates is that enforcement is a gradual process. Mailbox providers don't just flip a switch; they roll out stricter checks over time.
Continuous DNS hygiene is critical
A compliant setup isn't a one-time task. DNS records, especially PTR records managed by third parties, can change without your direct knowledge, or old records might cause new conflicts as enforcement tightens. Regular audits of your DNS for sending IPs are crucial to maintain compliance and avoid unexpected bounce issues. This includes checking not only for SPF and DKIM validity but also for the critical FCrDNS alignment.
This explains why you might suddenly experience PTR-related bounces, even if your setup seemed fine for months. Google's algorithms may have recently begun applying a more rigorous check to your specific sending IP. This proactive approach by mailbox providers aims to clean up the email ecosystem by filtering out mail from less trustworthy sources, which unfortunately can sometimes impact legitimate senders due to subtle technical discrepancies.
Maintaining a pristine email sending reputation requires constant vigilance. Beyond just checking if your PTR record exists, it's about verifying that it meets the precise FCrDNS standard expected by major providers like Google. If your emails are bouncing due to DMARC policy, or if your SPF is failing despite proper IP inclusion, these are all symptoms of a broader need for robust email authentication. Focusing on these details is key to ensuring your messages reach the inbox and not the spam folder.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Always ensure that your sending IP has a PTR record that resolves to a specific hostname, and that hostname resolves back to the same IP (FCrDNS).
Regularly audit all DNS records associated with your sending infrastructure, especially after IP changes or ESP migrations.
Work closely with your ESP or hosting provider to confirm their management of PTR records aligns with current email standards.
Refer directly to Google's official sender guidelines when discussing PTR requirements with your technical team or providers.
Understand that enforcement of email standards by major mailbox providers is often gradual, so proactive compliance is vital.
Common pitfalls
Believing that PTR records are no longer a necessary requirement for email deliverability, especially to major ISPs.
Neglecting to remove or update old DNS records after IP address changes or migrating to a new email service provider.
Assuming that Google Postmaster Tools reflects all compliance issues, as some, like subtle PTR mismatches, may not be explicitly flagged there.
Not considering that the PTR record is controlled by the IP owner (ESP/hosting provider), not necessarily your domain's DNS manager.
Failing to account for the time it takes for DNS changes to propagate, leading to premature re-testing and frustration.
Expert tips
If your ESP is using shared IPs, ensure they manage PTR records correctly. Misconfigurations on shared IPs can affect all senders.
For dedicated IPs, maintain direct control or clear communication with your provider regarding PTR setup.
Keep an eye on bounce messages. They often provide very specific clues, like the 'PTR record set up' error.
Educate your team that while SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial, foundational DNS elements like PTR are equally important.
Always confirm that the hostname pointed to by the PTR record is not also being used for other, unrelated services that might have different IP assignments.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says a tech team is mistaken if they think PTRs haven't been a requirement for a long time. Google and other major providers definitely require them.
2024-09-20 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says the PTR record for the sending IP can be fine, but the problem arises when looking up the hostname it points to, as it might resolve to different IP addresses, indicating an FCrDNS mismatch.
2024-09-20 - Email Geeks
Ensuring continuous email deliverability
Bouncing emails due to PTR record issues can be puzzling, especially when other compliance checks appear green. The underlying cause often lies in the precise alignment of forward and reverse DNS records, a configuration controlled by your IP provider. Google's ongoing enforcement of its sender guidelines means that what was once overlooked can now lead to immediate bounces.
To maintain high email deliverability, it's essential to: verify your sending IP's PTR record, confirm its FCrDNS alignment, and work closely with your ESP or hosting provider to resolve any discrepancies. Proactive monitoring and adherence to all aspects of sender guidelines will help ensure your emails consistently reach the inbox.
Google's email sender guidelines explicitly state: 'The sending IP address must match the IP address of the hostname specified in the Pointer (PTR) record.' This strict requirement ensures that the IP address sending the email is indeed associated with the domain it claims to represent, significantly reducing the chances of spoofing and spam. While PTR records have always been important, Google's recent updates have escalated their enforcement.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)). This is an FCrDNS mismatch.
