Fixing Your Email Issues with Google and Yahoo’s New Requirements

In early 2024, Google and Yahoo introduced new email requirements aimed at improving email security and reducing spam. This change impacted all email senders, particularly those sending large volumes of emails. The enforcement began in February 2024 and became fully effective by June 2024.

The new rules require senders to authenticate their emails using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, ensuring emails are securely transmitted and properly verified. This change was implemented to enhance email security, protect users from spam and phishing attacks, and ensure a better email experience overall. Users must now adhere to stricter guidelines to maintain good email deliverability and reputation.

Step 1: Understand the New Rules (Read Above this)

• Who it affects: All email users, especially those sending bulk emails.
• Effective date: Began in February 2024, fully enforced by June 2024.

Step 2: Authenticate Your Emails (More information down lower)

• SPF Record: Verify that your email service provider has an SPF record set up.
• DKIM Record: Ensure your provider uses DKIM to sign your emails.
• DMARC Policy: Ask your provider to implement DMARC.

Step 3: Secure Your Emails (The host does this already)

• PTR Records: Confirm your provider has PTR records configured.
• TLS Encryption: Ensure your emails are sent using TLS for security.

Step 4: Reduce Spam Complaints

• Avoid Spam: Personalize your emails and clean your mailing list regularly.

Step 5: Simplify Unsubscribe Options

• Unsubscribe Link: Ensure there is a one-click unsubscribe link in your emails.
• Only needed if you run a mailing list. That is NEVER done on a cPanel server.

Step 6: Correct Message Formatting

• Message Standards: Check that your emails comply with the Internet Message Format.

What is the Internet Message Format?

The Internet Message Format (IMF) is a standard format for email messages as specified in RFC 5322. It defines the syntax for text messages sent over the Internet, including the structure and content of email headers and bodies.

• Headers: Include fields like From, To, Subject, Date, and Message-ID.
• Body: Contains the actual message content.

IMF ensures consistency and compatibility across different email systems and services, promoting reliable email communication. Properly formatted emails improve deliverability and compliance with email standards.

So, how do you fix your email?

By following these steps, you can resolve email delivery issues and comply with new email requirements from Google and Yahoo.

You will notice the steps for both are quite similar.

It all happens in your Zone Editor in cPanel!

Using Google (Gmail):

FIRST: Set Up SPF

• Go to your domain’s DNS settings.
• Add a TXT record with the SPF information provided by Google.
  (v=spf1 +a +mx +ip4:122.252.14.219 +ip4:122.252.14.221 include:_spf.google.com ~all)

SECOND: Enable DKIM

• Access your Google Admin console.
• Navigate to “Apps” > “Google Workspace” > “Gmail” > “Authenticate Email.”
• Generate a DKIM key and add the provided DNS record.

THIRD: Implement DMARC

• Add a TXT record in your DNS settings with the DMARC policy.
• (“_dmarc.yourdomain.com.au” – then: “v=DMARC1;p=none;”)

Using Yahoo: its really no different!

1. Configure SPF:
   • Edit your domain’s DNS records to include Yahoo’s SPF details.
     (v=spf1 +a +mx +ip4:122.252.14.219 +ip4:122.252.14.221 include:_spf.mail.yahoo.com ~all)
     
2. Set Up DKIM:
   • Use Yahoo’s DKIM wizard to generate a key.
   • Add the key to your DNS records.
     
3. Apply DMARC:
   • Add a DMARC TXT record to your DNS settings.
   • Edit your domain’s DNS records to include Yahoo’s SPF details.
   • (“_dmarc.yourdomain.com.au” – then: “v=DMARC1;p=none;”)