How can authentication failure mimic reputation loss?
Similar to reputation issues:
- Increased spam folder placement
- Higher bounce rates
- Delivery rejections
Key differences:
- Sudden onset (when authentication broke)
- Affects all mail equally
- Headers show authentication failures
- Postmaster tools show auth errors
Diagnosis:
- Check email headers for Authentication-Results
- Look for spf=fail, dkim=fail, dmarc=fail
- Review Postmaster Tools authentication section
Common causes:
- DNS changes breaking records
- ESP configuration changes
- DKIM key rotation issues
- SPF record modifications
Expired credentials look like a bad reputation to inspectors. Fix the paperwork first.
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