How to Run a Deliverability Audit on Your Cold Email Setup

A deliverability audit is a comprehensive review of every factor that affects whether your emails reach the inbox. Run this audit before launching any new campaign and quarterly during active sending. Step 1: Check authentication Verify SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for every sending domain. Use the SPF Checker and DMARC Checker at Warm Inboxes. Fix any failures before proceeding. Step 2: Check DNS configuration Verify that all DNS records — MX, A, CNAME, and TXT records — are correctly configured using the DNS Checker. Step 3: Check blacklists Run every sending domain and IP through the blacklist checker. If listed, follow delisting procedures and investigate the root cause. Step 4: Test inbox placement Send test emails from every active account to seed addresses across Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo using the deliverability checker. Document where each email lands. Step 5: Review sending volume and patterns Check that no single account is exceeding 40 emails per day. Verify that sending patterns are consistent — no sudden spikes. Confirm that warmup is running alongside campaigns. Step 6: Review list quality Check your bounce rate from recent campaigns. If above 2%, your list verification process needs improvement. Review your data sources and verification workflow. Step 7: Review content Read your active email copy for spam trigger words, excessive links, or marketing-style language. Ensure all emails are plain text with minimal formatting. Step 8: Check domain expiry Verify that no sending domains are about to expire. An expired domain means lost email accounts and infrastructure. Use the domain expiry checker to verify status. Step 9: Review engagement metrics Check open rates and reply rates across all active campaigns. Identify any campaigns with unusually low engagement and investigate. Step 10: Document findings and action items Create a written record of your audit findings. Prioritize issues by severity. Fix critical issues immediately (authentication failures, blacklisting) and schedule improvements for less urgent items. For complex deliverability issues or if you want expert guidance, book a deliverability consultation with the Warm Inboxes team.

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