Top 7 reasons Mailchimp emails go to spam in 2025

Avoid Mailchimp spam in 2025 by ensuring proper email authentication, gradual domain warmup, clean lists, and consistent cadence.

Othman Katim
Email Marketing Expert
Sep 2025
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#1 Authentication and Alignment Failures

Authentication errors with SPF, DKIM, or DMARC remain the primary reason Mailchimp emails are flagged as spam in 2025. Mailbox providers require cryptographic proof of sender identity; any mismatch undermines this trust.

  • Ensure your visible From domain matches the DKIM d= domain and the SPF domain used for sending.
  • Start by publishing a DMARC policy with at least p=none, then increase enforcement once alignment is confirmed.
  • Implement a branded tracking domain (CNAME) for click and open tracking, aligning it with your root domain.
  • Monitor and periodically rotate DKIM keys; promptly remove outdated or duplicated selectors to prevent authentication fails.

When authentication is properly aligned, email filters are more likely to accept your emails. However, if your authentication is broken or misconfigured, the chances of your Mailchimp emails landing in spam rise substantially.

#2 Cold Domain or Sender with No Warmup

New domains and unestablished Mailchimp senders lack a delivery history, making them appear risky to ISPs. Without a gradual warmup process, sudden volume increases are often viewed with suspicion and can result in emails being routed to spam.

  • Start with low daily sending volumes and raise them progressively, following a schedule that mailbox providers trust.
  • Begin by emailing only your most engaged and confirmed recipients.
  • Leverage a warmup network that generates natural inbox activity, such as opens, replies, and recovery from spam.
  • Maintain consistent sending volumes; avoid abrupt increases that reset trust and prompt throttling.

For a detailed step-by-step guide, see Master Email Warm Up in 2025. Following a measured, consistent warmup plan is one of the best defenses against your Mailchimp emails going to spam as a new sender.

#3 Risky List Quality and Spam Traps

Poor data hygiene leads quickly to the junk folder. Pristine spam traps, recycled addresses, and generic role accounts degrade your reputation. Mailchimp emails are marked as spam when signals point to address harvesting or neglect of list maintenance.

  • Utilize confirmed opt-in wherever possible; never import purchased or scraped lists.
  • Validate email addresses before uploading; promptly suppress hard bounces and consistently remove disengaged contacts.
  • Identify and treat role accounts (like info@, sales@, support@) with added caution or exclude them entirely.
  • Monitor replies and encourage human interaction, authentic conversations help validate a healthy list.

A well-maintained list demonstrates you’re contacting real people who want your messages. This greatly reduces the chances of Mailchimp emails being flagged as spam during regular campaigns.

#4 Complaint Rate and Unsubscribe Friction

Spam complaints have a significant impact on your email delivery. If recipients can’t easily opt out, they’re more likely to report your emails as spam. High complaint rates that persist beyond provider thresholds will inevitably get your Mailchimp campaigns flagged as spam.

  • Provide a simple, one-click unsubscribe process and honor these requests immediately.
  • Use a recognizable From name and address to minimize confusion among recipients.
  • Avoid dramatic or unexpected content changes that may surprise and frustrate your audience.
  • Monitor feedback loop reports and quickly suppress addresses of those who complain.

The easier you make it to unsubscribe, the fewer complaints you’ll receive, which means fewer occasions where your Mailchimp emails are filtered to spam.

#5 Reputation of Links, Domains, and Redirects

Every URL in your message is scored by spam filters. The use of link shorteners, complex redirect chains, or unbranded tracking domains can erode trust. When link reputation is questionable, your Mailchimp emails may be sent to spam more frequently.

  • Use a custom-branded tracking domain so that link tracking is consistent with your sender identity.
  • Limit use of redirects and avoid public link shorteners, as these are often abused by spammers.
  • Host your files and landing pages on trusted, reputable domains with good track records.
  • Audit all third-party links, just one risky partner domain can harm your entire campaign’s deliverability.

Think of reputation as a chain: every domain you include contributes to your overall deliverability score.

#6 Sending Spikes and Inconsistent Cadence

Even with proper authentication, erratic sending volumes can trigger issues. Sudden volume spikes suggest potential list abuse or a compromised sender account, prompting mailbox providers to act cautiously and push Mailchimp emails to spam.

  • Map out and stick to a realistic and regular sending schedule, especially during launches and seasonal campaigns.
  • Break down warmup phases by major mailbox provider to gauge platform-specific tolerance without overreaching.
  • Throttle your campaigns if you notice increased deferrals or soft bounces, increase volume slowly if delivery remains stable.
  • Set up alerts for unusual volume changes so you can address issues before filters react.

Maintaining a steady, predictable cadence reassures filters and supports consistent inbox placement.

#7 Policy Violations and Poor Mailbox Targeting

Mailchimp and major providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo have strict rules. Any hint of scraping, sending prohibited content, or missing sender identification details will alert filters. Violating policies means your Mailchimp emails are more likely to end up in spam.

  • Review Mailchimp’s acceptable use policies to guarantee your email content, lists, and offers are compliant.
  • Send only from domains you own, ensuring a visible business presence with live websites, accurate DNS, and legal pages.
  • Do not email users who haven’t directly requested or consented to communications from your brand.
  • Include complete, up-to-date contact information in your email footer to affirm legitimacy.

Adhering to platform policies not only reduces risk but also makes your emails appear trustworthy at a glance.

Conclusion

Once you understand the major reasons Mailchimp emails end up in spam folders in 2025, the solutions become clear. Start by ensuring authentication is correctly aligned to establish your sender identity. Employ a structured warmup to build a credible sending history. Maintain clean contact lists to avoid traps. Keep complaint rates down with easy unsubscribe processes. Use reputable domains and links, maintain a steady sending cadence, and follow all relevant policies to protect your reputation.

You may ask, where does email warmup fit in here? Services like Mailwarm provide an effective answer. They operate networks of active email inboxes capable of interacting with your campaigns through opens, authentic replies, rescuing emails from spam, and marking them as primary. This process is not just about marketing, it's a technical method to build trust in your domain and sender reputation. Use warmup alongside authentication, good data hygiene, and a consistent sending schedule to minimize the odds of your Mailchimp emails landing in spam in 2025 and beyond.

If you consistently struggle with deliverability, start by auditing your authentication, fixing domain alignment, and stabilizing your send volume. Then add a structured warmup routine until you see reliable inbox placement. In most cases, these combined efforts resolve ongoing spam folder issues for Mailchimp senders.

Need expert advice or a custom warmup plan? Speak with a deliverability specialist who handles these issues daily. Reach out to mailadept for a personalized set of recommendations.

FAQ

What are the main reasons my Mailchimp emails go to spam?

Emails can end up in spam due to misconfigured authentication, sudden increases in sending volume, poor list quality, high complaint rates, bad link reputations, and policy violations.

How can I improve email deliverability in Mailchimp?

Ensure proper authentication alignment, gradually increase sending volume, maintain clean and engaged email lists, and provide easy unsubscribe options to reduce complaints.

Why is authentication important for email campaigns?

Authentication verifies the sender's identity to mailbox providers, reducing the chances of emails being mistakenly marked as spam if configured correctly.

What is email warmup, and why is it necessary?

Email warmup involves gradually increasing your email sending volume and engagement to build a positive sending reputation, which helps prevent new domains from being flagged as spam.

How can I manage complaint rates effectively?

Offer a simple, one-click unsubscribe method and ensure your emails are easily recognizable by using a consistent From name and address.

What is the role of list hygiene in email deliverability?

Good list hygiene involves confirming recipient consent, validating email addresses, removing hard bounces, and eliminating unengaged contacts to prevent being flagged as spam.

Why should I avoid link shorteners in my emails?

Link shorteners can reduce trust with spam filters, as they are often abused by spammers, so it's better to use custom-branded tracking domains.

What should I do if I still face deliverability issues?

Audit your authentication settings, align your domains properly, stabilize your sending volume, and consult a deliverability specialist for further advice.