Guide · 5 min read · Updated 31 October 2026
How to keep your emails out of spam
Getting into the inbox depends mostly on one thing: whether your readers want your emails. Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook watch how people react. Here's how to stay on their good side.
Only email people who want it
The biggest cause of spam problems is emailing people who didn't sign up or have forgotten you. Never buy lists. If you haven't emailed a list in over a year, send a friendly "still want to hear from us?" email first.
Make unsubscribing easy
Since 2024, Gmail and Yahoo expect bulk senders to offer one-click unsubscribe, and they watch spam complaints closely. An easy unsubscribe is better than someone pressing "Report spam". iynbox adds one-click unsubscribe to every email.
Remove bounces and complaints
Keep emailing addresses that bounce and inbox providers start to distrust you. iynbox stops emailing bounced and complaining addresses automatically.
Send from your own domain
Big senders need SPF, DKIM and DMARC set up on their domain so inboxes know the email is really from them. It sounds technical but it's a one-off job, and iynbox will guide you through it when sending from your own domain arrives.
Write like a person
Avoid misleading subject lines, ALL CAPS and a wall of images with no text. A clear sender name, a real subject and a good mix of words and pictures all help.
Be consistent
Sending regularly keeps your list warm. A huge send after months of silence looks suspicious to inboxes and gets more complaints.
Questions
Why are my emails going to spam?
Usually because some readers don't remember signing up, there's no easy unsubscribe, the list has old or bounced addresses, or the sending domain isn't authenticated.
What are SPF, DKIM and DMARC?
Three settings on your domain that prove an email really came from you. Inbox providers increasingly expect them from businesses that send in bulk.