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Zoho Mail going to spam? Here's the fix

If email you send from Zoho Mail lands in Gmail or Outlook spam, the cause is almost always one of three DNS records: DKIM isn't on, SPF has the wrong value, or there's no DMARC.

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Why Zoho Mail goes to spam

Zoho Mail asks you to add MX records when you set up your domain, because without them you can't receive mail. Sending works without the authentication records, so many businesses never add them. But Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook check them to decide whether your mail really comes from you, and since 2024 they're much stricter about mail that fails.

How to fix it

You'll need admin access to Zoho Mail and to wherever your domain's DNS is hosted.

1. Turn on DKIM

Open the Zoho Mail Admin Console and go to Domains, then select your domain.
Open Email Configuration → DKIM and add a selector, for example zoho. Choose a 2048-bit key if offered.
Zoho shows a TXT record named <selector>._domainkey with a long value. Add it at your DNS host exactly as shown.
Back in Zoho, click Verify, and make sure the DKIM key is set as the default and enabled.

2. Get the SPF record right

The value to include depends on the Zoho data centre your account is in, and guides online disagree on it. Don't copy one from a blog. In the Admin Console, under Email Configuration → SPF, Zoho shows the exact include: for your account. Your domain must have exactly one SPF record, for example:

v=spf1 include:<the value Zoho shows> ~all

If another tool also sends as your domain, such as an invoicing app, a newsletter service or your website, add it to the same record. Two SPF records, or one needing more than 10 DNS lookups, break SPF completely. After saving, click Verify SPF Record in Zoho.

3. Add 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.

Zoho CRM and Zoho Books emails

Emails from Zoho CRM, Zoho Books or Zoho Campaigns are sent by those apps, not your mailbox, so they need their own sender domain setup inside each app. Check each one's email or domain authentication settings, and make sure any SPF include it asks for goes into your single SPF record.

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 Zoho Mail going to spam?

Usually because DKIM isn't turned on for your domain, the SPF record has the wrong include for your Zoho data centre, or there's no DMARC record. Zoho requires MX records to receive mail, but the authentication records are optional to set up, so they're often missing.

What is the SPF record for Zoho Mail?

It depends on your Zoho data centre. The Zoho Mail Admin Console shows the exact include for your account under Domains, Email Configuration, SPF. Use that value in your domain's single SPF record.

How do I set up DKIM in Zoho Mail?

In the Admin Console, go to Domains, select your domain, open Email Configuration and DKIM, and add a selector. Publish the TXT record Zoho shows at your DNS host, then verify it in Zoho and make sure it's enabled.

Why are Zoho CRM or Zoho Books emails going to spam?

Those apps send mail on your behalf separately from Zoho Mail. Each needs its own sender domain authentication in its settings, and any SPF include it requires must be added to your one SPF record.