How to Set Up Hostinger Business Email with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC (Zero Spam)

The Critical Importance of DNS Email Authentication

In 2024, Google and Yahoo introduced mandatory email authentication standards. Sending emails from a custom domain without properly aligned SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication) records causes your legitimate business correspondence to be flagged as spam or rejected completely at the mail exchange gateway.

This guide explains how to configure your Hostinger business email accounts for 100% inbox placement.

Step 1: Creating Your Mailbox in hPanel

1. Navigate to Emails -> Email Accounts.
2. Select your domain name and click Create Email Account.
3. Enter your chosen username (e.g. contact@yourdomain.com) and set a secure password.

Step 2: Configuring MX Records

Verify that your domain's DNS zone points to Hostinger's redundant mail servers:

• MX Record 1: mx1.hostinger.com (Priority: 5)
• MX Record 2: mx2.hostinger.com (Priority: 10)

Step 3: Setting Up SPF Record

The SPF record tells recipient mail servers which IPs are authorized to transmit email on behalf of your domain name. Add a TXT record with host @:

v=spf1 include:_netblocks.hostinger.com ?all

Step 4: Generating and Activating 2048-Bit DKIM Keys

DKIM attaches a cryptographic digital signature to the email header that confirms the message was not tampered with during transit. Inside hPanel:

1. Navigate to Emails -> Manage Domain -> Email DNS Records.
2. Locate the DKIM TXT Record (typically begins with hostingermail._domainkey).
3. Enable DKIM to publish the public cryptographic key to your DNS zone.

Step 5: Implementing a Strict DMARC Policy

DMARC ties SPF and DKIM together and instructs receiving servers how to handle messages that fail validation. Add a TXT record with host _dmarc:

v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; pct=100; sp=quarantine

Step 6: Configuring Desktop & Mobile Email Clients (IMAP/SMTP)

To connect Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, or the iOS/Android Mail apps, use the following encrypted connection credentials:

• Incoming Server (IMAP): imap.hostinger.com | Port: 993 (SSL/TLS)
• Outgoing Server (SMTP): smtp.hostinger.com | Port: 465 (SSL/TLS)
• Username: Your full email address (e.g. contact@yourdomain.com)
• Password: Your mailbox password

Validation

Send a test email to mail-tester.com. Your configured Hostinger email will achieve a perfect 10/10 deliverability rating.