What actions should I take based on poor inbox placement results?

Poor placement results trigger a diagnostic checklist:

Verify authentication: Confirm SPF, DKIM, and DMARC pass and align properly.

Check postmaster tools: Review Gmail Postmaster and Microsoft SNDS for reputation and spam rate data.

Analyze by provider: Is the problem universal or specific to certain providers?

Review content: Scan for spam triggers, suspicious URLs, or recent content changes.

Segment analysis: Test engaged versus disengaged segments separately.

Isolate and test: Change one variable at a time and retest.

When your ships are being turned away, inspect papers, cargo, and crew before setting sail again.