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

# Why are my emails going to people's spam folders?

> Explore common reasons your emails may land in the spam folder, even with Flowforth’s built-in protections.

Even with Flowforth’s built-in email best practices, some emails may still land in spam folders. Here's what to look out for and how you can reduce the risk.

***

## What Flowforth Already Handles for You

We automatically include industry-standard protections in every email:

* **Unsubscribe links** and **email preference management**
* A visible **physical address** (required by anti-spam laws)
* Proper **email headers** including a one-click unsubscribe link
* Required DNS records:
  * **SPF**
  * **DKIM**

These help establish your domain as a trusted sender.

***

## 1. Missing or Weak DMARC Policy

While **DMARC** is not required to send emails, we **highly recommend** setting it up.

* DMARC works alongside SPF and DKIM to tell email providers how to handle suspicious emails from your domain.
* Without it, your emails may still pass authentication but be **treated as less trustworthy**.

> Ask your domain administrator to set up a **DMARC record** for stronger protection and deliverability. You can find our standard recommended DMARC record at [https://flowforth.co/settings/domains](https://flowforth.co/settings/domains)

***

## 2. Spammy or Aggressive Content

Certain content can raise red flags for spam filters. Avoid:

* All caps in subject lines or body (e.g. “ACT NOW!”)
* Excessive exclamation points (e.g. “Free!!!”)
* Overuse of salesy or promotional language (e.g. “Buy now”, “100% FREE”)
* Embedding too many links or call-to-actions

<Note>Write like a human. Keep your tone warm, relevant, and clear.</Note>

***

## 3. Poor Text-to-Image Ratio

* Emails with **mostly images and little text** are often flagged as spam.
* Aim for a **balanced mix** of readable text and images.

<Warning>
  Never send an email that is one big image or too many back-to-back images
  without explanation.
</Warning>

***

## 4. Sender Name and Email Address

Your **sender name** and **email address** matter.

* Avoid using generic or unclear names (e.g. “Admin” or “Email Team”).
* Make sure your address sounds legitimate and recognizable (e.g. `hello@yourchurch.com`, not `info123@domain.net`).
* Flowforth already **prevents sending from no-reply addresses**.

***

## 5. Low Engagement or Past Complaints

* If people consistently **ignore, delete, or mark your emails as spam**, email providers may start flagging your future messages.
* Avoid emailing people who haven’t engaged in a long time.
* Clean your lists regularly and respect unsubscribes.

***

## 6. Sending to Invalid or Old Addresses

* Sending to outdated or incorrect email addresses increases your **bounce rate**, which hurts your sender reputation.
* Make sure your lists are current and accurate.
* Flowforth automatically suppresses **bounced and cleaned** addresses.

***

## Final Tip: Test Before Sending

* Send test emails to a few different email clients (Gmail, Outlook, etc.) to see where they land.
* Avoid adding attachments or excessive formatting in your initial drafts.

***

Need help improving your deliverability or reviewing your DNS settings?\
Reach out to us at [support@flowforth.co](mailto:support@flowforth.co).