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

# My emails are going to people's spam or junk folder (cPanel)

There are several reasons why your emails might be rejected or go to people's spam or junk folders. This article will cover two common causes and how to fix them.

* SPF Records
* Blacklists

## Quick Fix

Add the following SPF record (please add this record as TXT):

**v=spf1 +a +mx +include:\_spf.server-cpanel.com +include:relay.mailchannels.net \~all**

## SPF Record

A Sender Policy Framework (SPF) record is an email authentication method. It lets you specify which servers are allowed to send emails using your domain. That way, when you send an email, the recipient's server is more likely to accept it as a legitimate email and not reject it or mark it as spam.

That's why you should always have an SPF record.

### How to check if you have an SPF record

If your sent emails are being rejected or going to your recipient's junk or spam folder, check if you have an SPF record.

1. Go to [whatsmydns.net (click here)](https://www.whatsmydns.net/#TXT)
2. Type in your domain name where it says [**www.example.com**](http://www.example.com)
3. Make sure **TXT** is selected
4. Click **Search**

You are looking for a record that begins with **v=spf1**

![SPF record search](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/1015a67a8c1d7d22ef3e8852979087b9.png)

### How to check your DNS host

If you do not have an SPF record, you can add one to your DNS host - this is where your Name Servers are pointing.

To check if you are using cPanel as your DNS host, search your domain using a WHOIS lookup. If your name servers are pointing to **NSx.SERVER-CPANEL.COM** and **NSx.MYSECURECLOUDHOST.COM** then cPanel may be your DNS host. If they are pointing elsewhere, you can contact your DNS host for assistance.

### How to automatically detect and repair your SPF record in cPanel

The Email Deliverability menu in cPanel will automatically detect your cPanel SPF record and recommend the correct record. This will only work if you are using cPanel emails and your Name Servers are pointing to cPanel.

1. In the cPanel main menu click **Email Deliverability**

![email deliverability](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/989e1e54f378cb44cb50a7b6289eca7d.png)

2. Your domains and subdomains will be listed here. Under **Email Deliverability Status**, it will highlight any detected problems

![detected problems](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/0c74d266c525bbfe5a5ef6c78ca71fea.png)

3. To quickly apply the suggested fix, click **Repair**

![repair](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/c1c61bcb324ce83bd9ad72628914e9cd.png)

4. The suggested fix will appear, click **Repair**

You can also **Customise** or **Copy** the record.

![repair](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/b1b9ab8036255ac9baee991b0fe5184f.png)

5. The record has now been installed and after a few seconds a green tick and the word **Valid** will appear under **Email Deliverability Status** (unless cPanel has detected other issues)

![valid](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/a8eaadc69440d6ff5663b2873dee3ac7.png)

Please note, that after adding a TXT record it may take up to 4 hours to take effect.

### How to manually add an SPF record in cPanel

If you need to manually add an SPF record in cPanel, you can do so in the Zone Editor.

1. In the cPanel main menu click **Zone Editor**

![Click zone editor](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/5f3b75b6d6cb4113f8b5cad3bfff7ebf.png)

2. To the right of the domain click **Manage**
3. Click **+Add Record**

![Add record](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/42f3dc79d31b6620fa33dbf38e06e25c.png)

4. Under **Type,** click the drop-down menu and click **TXT**

![click txt](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/c0191949cb9a7cf88567eb5067f71445.png)

5. Under **Name**, type in your domain name
6. Leave the **TTL** as 14400
7. Under **Record**, type in the SPF record

If you are using cPanel emails then copy and paste the following record:

**v=spf1 +a +mx +include:\_spf.server-cpanel.com +include:relay.mailchannels.net \~all**

If you are using a different email service, talk to your email hosting provider for the correct SPF record.

8. Click **Save Record**

![SPF record values](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/a9a5751ef95c1927a6597ff4d3a05c30.png)

9. If successful a green box will appear in the top right-hand corner of the screen saying **Success**

![success](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/28d9acb916679d33435ba7e58c57fb26.png)

Please note, that after adding a TXT record it may take up to 4 hours to take effect.

### How to manually edit your SPF record in cPanel

If you have an SPF record but it is incorrect or you have been advised to update it, you can do so in the Zone Editor.

1. In the **cPanel** main menu click **Zone Editor**

![Click zone editor](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/e94703faf31c2f7ab8cdedbb9a5dd08d.png)

2. To the right of the domain click **Manage**
3. Next to **Filter:** click TXT

![Click TXT cPanel](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/bed1da180b3307fc137396971cd7c3c9.png)

4. Scroll down to find your SPF record

You can edit or delete it

![SPF record](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/c6b2f03eb746d88d80b9b2ce46255f49.png)

Please note, that after making any changes to your TXT record it may take up to 4 hours to take effect.

## Blacklists

A blacklist is a list of blocked domains, email addresses or IP addresses. If your domain or IP address is on a blacklist, it can cause your sent emails to go to the recipient's spam or Junk folder or be rejected by the server. You can use a tool called MX Toolbox to check whether you are on a blacklist or not.

### Check your domain for blacklists

1. [Go to MX Toolbox Blacklists tool (click here)](https://mxtoolbox.com/blacklists.aspx)
2. Under **Server IP or Domain**, search your domain name
3. Click **Blacklist Check**

![Blacklist domain check](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/1eee75c57b02dbabebcf1d1ba352654a.png)

4. Check the results

Blacklists will show up as a red x at the top of the list. You can click on the blacklist for additional details. This will often tell you how to delist your IP address from a blacklist.

### Check your network IP address for blacklists

1. [Use whatismyipaddress.com to find your IPv4](https://whatismyipaddress.com/) (do NOT use IPv6)
2. Copy your IPv4 and [go to MX Toolbox Blacklists](https://mxtoolbox.com/blacklists.aspx)
3. Under **Server IP or Domain**, paste your IPv4
4. Click **Blacklist Check**

![search IP blacklists](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/511d871d9a889ac69d94f57017b05815.png)

5. Check the results

Blacklists will show up as a red x at the top of the list. You can click on the blacklist for additional details. This will often tell you how to delist your IP address from a blacklist.

You may need to contact your internet provider (e.g., Telstra, Optus, Dodo etc.) to have certain blacklists removed.

![blacklist results](https://onlinesuccess.com.au/images/9f66345e606c0f8a36dec191a13ea012.png)