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IONOS email going to spam? Here's the fix

IONOS sets up email authentication for you when your domain's DNS is at IONOS. When it isn't, or when something else changed your records, mail from IONOS mailboxes starts landing in spam.

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Is your DNS at IONOS?

This decides almost everything. IONOS says SPF is enabled by default for domains it hosts, and if you already have an SPF record for another service, IONOS adds its own servers to it. If your domain's nameservers point somewhere else, such as Cloudflare, GoDaddy or Squarespace, none of that happens, and you have to add the records yourself.

Run your domain through the free check. It shows your SPF, DKIM and DMARC, and whether IONOS's servers are in your SPF record.

How to fix it

1. SPF

If your DNS is elsewhere, IONOS's help gives this record for IONOS mail:

v=spf1 include:_spf-us.ionos.com ~all

That's the value on IONOS's US help pages. If your IONOS account is in another region, check the value in your own account's help pages. Your domain must have exactly one SPF record. If you already have one, add the IONOS include: to it rather than creating a second record.

2. DKIM

IONOS has a help article on email authentication with DKIM, which lists CNAME records named like s1-ionos._domainkey and s2-ionos._domainkey pointing to IONOS's DKIM servers. If your DNS is at IONOS, DKIM is usually on already, and the article explains how to reactivate it if it has lapsed. If your DNS is elsewhere, add the CNAME records it lists at your DNS host, copied exactly.

Not sure whether your plan supports DKIM? Ask IONOS support for your domain's DKIM records. It's worth doing: since 2024, mail without DKIM is much more likely to be filtered.

3. DMARC

Add a TXT record named _dmarc with v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourcompany.com. That's a safe start: it reports without blocking anything. Our DMARC guide covers tightening it later.

Using Microsoft 365 through IONOS?

If IONOS sold you Microsoft 365 rather than its own mailboxes, follow our Microsoft 365 guide instead: SPF uses spf.protection.outlook.com, and DKIM is switched on in the Microsoft Defender portal.

Test it

DNS changes usually work within an hour, sometimes longer. Then send an email to a Gmail address you own and choose ⋮ → Show original. SPF, DKIM and DMARC should all say PASS, and DKIM should show your own domain.

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Questions

Why is my IONOS email going to spam?

Usually because SPF or DKIM is missing, often because the domain's DNS is hosted somewhere other than IONOS, so IONOS couldn't add the records automatically. A missing DMARC record is the next most common cause.

What is the SPF record for IONOS email?

IONOS's US help gives v=spf1 include:_spf-us.ionos.com ~all for domains with DNS hosted elsewhere. Check your own account's help if you're in another region, and keep only one SPF record on your domain.

Does IONOS support DKIM?

Yes. IONOS's help lists DKIM CNAME records such as s1-ionos._domainkey and s2-ionos._domainkey. With DNS at IONOS it's usually active already; with DNS elsewhere, add the records yourself.

Does IONOS set up SPF automatically?

Yes, for domains whose DNS is hosted at IONOS. IONOS says SPF is enabled by default for those domains and that it adds its servers to an existing SPF record.