Sender Reputation Rescue Protocol (QA)

Sender Reputation Rescue Protocol (QA)

1. 01

   Run a full authentication audit across SPF, DKIM, and DMARC

   Check that all three protocols are correctly configured and aligned for the client's sending domain. Misalignment here is the most common root cause of spam placement.

2. 02

   Review sending volume and cadence against historical baselines

   Sudden spikes or drops in volume can trigger spam filters. Compare current sending patterns to the last 90 days and flag any anomalies for investigation.

3. 03

   Inspect list hygiene metrics for hard bounces and spam traps

   High bounce rates or hits on spam traps indicate poor list quality. Use a verification service to clean the list before the next send.

4. 04

   Analyze engagement signals from the last 30 days

   Low open rates, high unsubscribe rates, and spam complaints are red flags. Segment inactive subscribers and consider a re-engagement campaign or suppression.

5. 05

   Test inbox placement across major providers

   Use a seed-based testing tool to see where emails land in Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo. Compare results against the client's expectations and industry benchmarks.

6. 06

   Check blacklist status on major DNS-based blacklists

   Being listed on Spamhaus or Barracuda can block delivery entirely. If listed, follow the removal process and address the root cause before resuming sends.

7. 07

   Document findings and create a remediation plan

   Summarize the issues found, prioritize fixes by impact, and assign owners. Share the plan with the client to set expectations and align on next steps.