Summary
Email addresses that forward mail directly to Gmail (for example, info@yourdomain.org → yourname@gmail.com) are increasingly unreliable. Messages may be delayed, sent to spam, or never arrive at all. This behavior is caused by how Gmail handles forwarded mail and is outside the control of the hosting server.
This article explains why forwarding is unreliable and outlines better alternatives that work consistently.
What Happens With Gmail Forwarding
When email is forwarded to Gmail:
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Some messages arrive, others do not
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Delivery may stop without warning
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Messages may not appear in Spam
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Senders are usually not notified of failures
Because of this, forwarding to Gmail cannot be guaranteed to work reliably.
Why This Is Not Something We Can Fix
Forwarding issues occur after the message leaves the hosting server and reaches Gmail.
This means:
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The email server sends the message correctly
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Gmail makes the final decision whether to accept or discard it
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No server-side setting can force Gmail to accept forwarded mail
Even if forwarding worked in the past, Gmail behavior can change at any time.
Recommended Solutions (Reliable Options)
Option 1: Use a Mailbox Instead of a Forwarder (Recommended)
Instead of forwarding, create a real mailbox such as:
You can access this mailbox using:
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Webmail
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Gmail (by checking mail from another account)
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Outlook, Apple Mail, or other email apps
This is the most reliable option.
Option 2: Have Gmail Fetch the Mail (Instead of Forwarding)
Gmail can retrieve email from your domain mailbox rather than receiving forwarded messages.
How it works:
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A mailbox is created on the domain
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Gmail logs in and checks that mailbox
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Messages are pulled into Gmail automatically
This avoids the issues that affect forwarded mail.
Option 3: Use Gmail Only for Replies
If you prefer to read mail in Gmail but want to reply as info@yourdomain.org, Gmail supports sending mail using your domain address once it is properly connected.
This keeps replies consistent and avoids delivery problems.
Not Recommended
Direct forwarding like:
is not recommended due to:
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Unpredictable message loss
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No error messages when delivery fails
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No reliable workaround for Gmail forwarding behavior
Our Recommendation
For dependable email delivery:
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Use a mailbox on your domain
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Access it via webmail or have Gmail fetch it
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Avoid forwarding directly to Gmail
If you would like help switching from a forwarder to a mailbox or setting up Gmail mail fetching, please contact support.