Email DeliverabilityWhat is an MX record and why does it matter for email deliverability?MX records determine where your emails go. Learn why they’re crucial for email deliverability and how to get them right.
Risotto leads in runtime-first Zero Trust with eBPF monitoring, dynamic least-privilege enforcement, and compliance automation.
Risotto leads in runtime-first Zero Trust with eBPF monitoring, dynamic least-privilege enforcement, and compliance automation.
Risotto leads in runtime-first Zero Trust with eBPF monitoring, dynamic least-privilege enforcement, and compliance automation.
MX records are the backbone of your email delivery system. If they’re misconfigured, your emails won’t even leave the starting line, or worse, they’ll bounce, land in spam, or disappear entirely.
What you will find in this guide, it’s the explanation of what MX records are, why they’re critical for email deliverability, and especially how to make sure they’re set up correctly. Let’s get straight to the point!
An MX record (Mail Exchange record) is a critical part of the DNS system that directs emails to the correct mail server for your domain. It tells the internet where to deliver emails sent to your domain. Without a properly configured MX record, your emails won’t reach their destination—or worse, they’ll bounce.
An MX record is structured like this:
10 mail.example.com
Here, 10 is the priority value, and mail.example.com is the server handling your emails.
The priority number determines the order in which mail servers handle incoming emails. Lower numbers mean higher priority. For example:
In this setup, emails are routed to the primary server first. If it’s unavailable, emails are automatically sent to the backup server, in order to have an uninterrupted email flow.
Your MX records ensure that emails are routed to functioning, authorized mail servers. Misconfigured MX records can lead to failed deliveries, bounces, or even emails disappearing entirely. This directly affects your sender reputation and email deliverability.
Properly configured MX records are non-negotiable for keeping your emails landing where they belong: in the inbox!
For more tips, check our guide on how to improve your email deliverability
Finding your MX record is quite simple. Log in to your domain registrar or hosting provider dashboard, head to the DNS settings section, and look for the “MX” records in your list of DNS configurations. That’s where your email routing info lives.
To verify if your MX record is correctly set up, use a reliable DNS lookup tool like MXToolbox or Google Admin Toolbox. Enter your domain name, and these tools will instantly show your active MX records and their configurations.
Regular checks ensure your MX records are correct and prevent email routing issues that can cripple deliverability. Don’t leave it to chance and check them now!
If your domain is used for sending or receiving emails, the answer is simple: yes, you absolutely need an MX record. Without it, email servers won’t know where to deliver your emails, leading to delivery failures or bounced messages.
However, if your domain isn’t used for email (e.g., a domain solely for hosting a website or a landing page), an MX record isn’t required. In these cases, email routing isn’t relevant.
That said, if there’s even a chance you’ll send or receive emails from the domain—whether for communication, newsletters, or outreach: you need an MX record configured properly! Skipping it is asking for trouble.
Bottom line? If emails matter to your domain, you need an MX record to keep things running smoothly. It’s not optional, it’s essential.
Setting up MX records is quick and essential to ensure your emails are delivered to the right server. Whether you're configuring a new domain or fixing an issue, follow these steps to get it done fast:
MX record problems can cause your emails to bounce, get delayed, or disappear entirely. Here’s how to spot the most common issues and fix them fast:
If emails are critical to your business, make sure your MX records are rock solid. Regular checks and quick fixes can save you from delivery nightmares. Literally.
MX records are essential for getting your emails delivered, but they’re just one part of the equation. If your sender reputation isn’t solid, even perfectly routed emails will end up in spam. That’s where MailReach steps in, and in a really effective way.
With MailReach’s email warm-up tool, you can build and maintain a strong reputation by simulating positive interactions across 20,000 real inboxes. This signals to providers like Google and Microsoft that you’re a trusted sender, ensuring your emails land where they belong, so in the inbox.
Whether you’re launching a new domain or fixing deliverability issues, MailReach optimizes your email performance by boosting engagement and gradually increasing sending volumes. Combine this with properly configured MX records, and you’ll have everything you need to maximize your email success. You’re welcome!
Start improving your email deliverability with MailReach today
Every email in spam equals to a lost potential customer. Start improving your inbox placement today with MailReach spam testing and warmup.
Following the rules isn’t enough—know where your emails land and what’s holding them back. Check your spam score with our free test, and improve deliverability with MailReach warmup.
Without the right warmup, your best campaigns are of no use. You can start by first testing your inbox placement and begin improving it today.
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