Having trouble with email campaigns landing in spam or not reaching your readers at all? This guide walks through three reliable ways to improve email deliverability using MediaOS. From verifying DNS records to using a third-party email provider, these strategies can help ensure your messages make it to the inbox.
Why Email Deliverability Can Be a Challenge #
Email deliverability is impacted by a variety of technical and content-related factors. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and mailbox providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo use domain reputation, authentication, and content analysis to determine whether your message reaches the inbox — or gets filtered into spam.
Note: Even if MediaOS sends a campaign successfully, mailbox providers ultimately decide whether to accept and display the message.
If you’re struggling with deliverability, MediaOS supports three different solutions to improve results:
- Setting up SPF Records
- Verifying DKIM Records
- Integrating with SendGrid
SPF Records #
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) helps verify that MediaOS is authorized to send emails on your behalf. Without this, your campaigns are more likely to be flagged as suspicious or rejected.
Tip: Adding an SPF record is often the first and easiest step to improving deliverability.
To get started, follow this article: Setting Up SPF Records
DKIM Records #
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) allows email recipients to verify that the email actually came from your domain and was not tampered with during transit. This adds credibility to your messages and dramatically improves inbox placement.
Note: DKIM is essential for authenticating your domain and is increasingly required by providers like Gmail and Outlook.
Integrate SendGrid #
SendGrid is a trusted email delivery platform used by thousands of companies to manage both transactional and marketing emails. If you’re running large campaigns or facing serious deliverability issues, integrating SendGrid can provide more control, analytics, and IP reputation management.
Tip: This is a great option if your domain reputation has been impacted or you’re sending a high volume of email.
Steps to Integrate SendGrid with MediaOS #
- First, create a SendGrid account at www.sendgrid.com.
- Locate your SendGrid API Key. (Use this SendGrid article to help.)
- In MediaOS, click your Name in the bottom-left corner and go to Integrations.
- Find the SendGrid integration and click Configure.
- Paste your API Key into the field and click Save.
Once SendGrid is integrated:
- You’ll send campaigns through SendGrid’s optimized infrastructure.
- You can validate your DKIM records directly through SendGrid’s platform.
Use this guide to complete DKIM setup in SendGrid:
How to Set Up Domain Authentication – Twilio SendGrid
Best Practices and Reminders #
Warning: If your team has sent out large promotional blasts to your full reader list — especially emails promoting products or services with little to no editorial content — your domain reputation may be damaged. ISPs penalize this behavior with reduced inbox placement or blocks.
To avoid further issues:
- Segment your list and avoid mass sends to inactive users.
- Focus on value-added content with a balance of editorial and promotional messaging.
- Monitor open and click rates to measure engagement.
- Use the Email Blocker Check Tool to identify suppressed or blocked addresses.
