Email deliverability rarely breaks all at once. It erodes over time.
Nothing looks wrong in isolation, but inbox placement starts slipping anyway.
This checklist mirrors how we approach real audits. Not as a hunt for a single broken setting, but as a system review.
The goal is not to chase perfect scores. The goal is control and predictability.
IMPORTANT:
Before completing this, be sure you go through links below and understand basics of email deliverability.
- How Email Deliverability Actually Works by Sujay Pawar
- Email best practices by Amazon
- Maintaining a positive sender reputation by Amazon
Gone through these links and educated yourself on email deliverability?
Great. Now, please proceed ahead.
How to Use This Document
- Copy this entire document into Google Docs.
- Write your answers on a new line directly below each question, prefixed with “Answer:” or in blue color text so your answers are easy to find.
- Do not skip sections. Deliverability problems usually hide in skipped parts.
- Be honest. Do not guess. Use real data, screenshots, and links where asked.
Example of answering:
Question: Primary sending domain?
Answer: example.com
Conclusion
This checklist is designed to help you see the full picture. Not just individual settings, but how your domains, tools, lists, and sending behavior work together over time.
If any section felt uncomfortable or unclear, that’s a signal.
Those gaps are usually where deliverability problems start.
Revisit this audit whenever something changes in your email setup and run it at least quarterly. Consistency is what builds inbox trust.
When you control the system, inbox placement becomes predictable.
