What is deliverability troubleshooting?

Deliverability troubleshooting is the diagnostic process of identifying why emails are not reaching their intended destinations and implementing fixes.

It involves:

Detection: Recognizing that a problem exists through metrics, reports, or user complaints.

Diagnosis: Determining the root cause, whether technical (authentication, DNS), reputational (blocklists, complaints), or behavioral (engagement, list quality).

Remediation: Implementing fixes, which may include technical corrections, list hygiene, sending practice changes, or reputation recovery.

Verification: Confirming the fix worked and monitoring for recurrence.

Effective troubleshooting requires access to data: bounce logs, postmaster tools, authentication results, and engagement metrics.

Like maritime inspectors diagnosing why cargo is not reaching port. Systematic investigation identifies whether the problem is the ship, the route, or the destination.