Diagnostic Guide
I verified my list. Why are my emails
still bouncing or going to spam?
Verification solves list quality. But reaching the inbox depends on three things working together. This diagnostic walks you through each one to find what’s broken.
Using a different verification tool? The same principles apply — the key question is whether you sent only to addresses your tool marked as safe (not just “valid”).
Walk through the diagnostic
Answer each question. The first “No” is probably your problem.
1. Did you download the SafeToSend file?
When you verify with QEV, you get multiple download options. SafeToSend contains only addresses safe to email. Valid includes everything that technically exists — including risky catch-all and role-based addresses. You should have downloaded SafeToSend.
No / Not sure
This is likely your problem
The “Valid” file includes catch-all and role-based addresses that look deliverable but bounce or produce zero engagement. Re-download the SafeToSend file and send only to those.
Valid vs SafeToSend explained →
Yes
Good. Next question ↓
↓
2. Is your email authentication set up?
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC — the DNS records that prove mailbox providers (i.e Gmail, Outlook, etc) you’re a legitimate sender.
No / Not sure
Full authentication guide →
Check this now (free)
Even a perfectly clean list goes to spam without authentication. Use QEV’s free tools to check:
Check SPF → Check DKIM → Check DMARC →Full authentication guide →
Yes, all passing
Good. Next question ↓
↓
3. Is your domain or IP on a blacklist?
Blacklists are “do not trust” lists that mailbox providers (i.e Gmail, Outlook, etc) checks before accepting your emails.
Not sure
Full blacklist guide →
Check this now (free)
If you’re listed, your emails hard bounce or go straight to spam, regardless of list quality or authentication.
Check blacklists →Full blacklist guide →
Not listed
Good. Next question ↓
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4. Is your domain warmed up?
New domains start with zero reputation. Mailbox providers (i.e Gmail, Outlook, etc) doesn’t trust them until they’ve proven themselves over 2-4 weeks of consistent, clean sending.
New domain / not warmed
Your domain needs warmup
Start with 5-10 emails per day, increase gradually over 2-4 weeks. Only send to SafeToSend addresses during warmup.
Warmup + verification guide →
Established domain
Good. Next question ↓
↓
5. When did you last verify?
Email lists go stale — about 2-3% of addresses stop working every month.
60+ days ago
Time to re-verify
Your list has decayed since your last verification. Re-upload, re-verify, re-download SafeToSend.
Re-verify now →
Recently
Good. Next question ↓
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6. Are your bounces spiking on day 3-5 (not day 1)?
If bounce rate looks clean on day 1 but jumps 2-3 days later, you’re hitting catch-all addresses.
Yes, day 3 spike
Catch-all guide →
Delayed bounces from catch-all
Catch-all addresses accept email on delivery but reject it days later. You need to separate them from your SafeToSend list.
Delayed bounces explained →Catch-all guide →
No, bounces are day 1
Next ↓
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If all 6 checks pass and you still have problems
The issue may be content-related (spam trigger words, too many links, missing unsubscribe link) or sending-volume related. These are outside QEV’s scope — your ESP or sequencer’s support team can help diagnose.
For lists over 100K, contact our team — we can review your verification results and help identify the issue.
Related situation guide
Crisis guide
ESP Account Suspended →
Fix it today, prevent it tomorrow. 5-step recovery + reinstatement template.
Post-send guide
Did Verification Work? →
4 metrics to compare before vs after verification.
Ongoing guide
When & How to Re-Verify →
Lists decay 2-3%/month. 3 scenarios, automation, cost math.
Most problems start with list quality.
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