Understanding Split Delivery in G Suite & Business Email

What is Split Delivery in G Suite & Business Email?

Managing emails across platforms can become complex when businesses use multiple systems. That's where Split Delivery in G Suite (Google Workspace) comes into play—a feature that helps route emails smartly across different servers while maintaining a single domain name.

Let’s explore how this works and how your business can benefit from setting up split delivery.

What is Split Delivery?

Split Delivery is an email routing method that allows emails sent to a single domain (e.g., yourbusiness.com) to be delivered to two different email servers depending on the recipient.

For example:

• Some users can receive emails in their Gmail inbox.

• Others can receive emails in a legacy system like Microsoft Exchange or cPanel Email.

This method is ideal for:

• Businesses transitioning from an older system to Gmail.

• Departments requiring separate email handling (e.g., Legal or Finance).

• Running test phases before full migration.

How G Suite Works with Split Delivery

The concept is simple:

• Your Google Workspace becomes the primary email server.

• The legacy system or another provider (like Microsoft or Zimbra) becomes the secondary server.

• Emails are first checked against Google. If the mailbox exists, it's delivered there. If not, it is forwarded to the secondary server.

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Split Delivery in G Suite

? 1. Login to Google Admin Console

Head over to admin.google.com using your admin credentials.

? 2. Add the Secondary Email Route

• Navigate to: Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail > Advanced settings

• Scroll to the “Hosts” section and click on “Add Route”

• Provide:

  • A name for your routing (e.g., Enterprise Mail Route)

  • MX details of your secondary email server

• Click Save

? 3. Configure Routing Settings

• Go to: Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail

• Under Gmail Settings, scroll to Routing

• Click Configure (or edit an existing rule)

• Name your routing rule, then scroll down

• Click Change Route, and select the host you created earlier (e.g., Enterprise Email Routing)

? 4. Set Catch-All for Unrecognized Accounts

• Scroll further and click Show Options

• Under Account types to affect, select:

  • ? Unrecognized/Catch-all

• Click Add Settings to finalize the configuration

How It Works Post Setup

• All incoming emails go to Google Workspace first

• If the recipient's address exists in G Suite, it lands in Gmail

• If not found, it's redirected to the secondary server (Business Email/Legacy system)

This keeps both systems functional under a single domain, allowing a smoother migration or coexistence setup.

Configuring DNS and SPF Records

Split delivery means using two or more outgoing mail servers, so SPF (Sender Policy Framework) setup becomes crucial to avoid spam issues.

???? Steps to Set SPF Correctly

• Locate the DNS zone file for your domain

• Add an SPF record that includes both email servers:

  makefile
  v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:spf.yourlegacyemail.com ~all
  

• Replace spf.yourlegacyemail.com with your actual secondary email provider’s SPF info

? Why SPF Matters:

• Identifies valid servers allowed to send emails from your domain

• Prevents spoofing and helps your emails land in inboxes, not spam

• Enhances email reputation and deliverability

Bonus Tips: Avoiding Email Spam Issues

Even after SPF setup, if users complain about emails going to Spam, ensure:

• Your domain’s DKIM and DMARC records are also configured correctly

• Email content does not include spammy words or broken links

• IP reputation of both sending servers is clean

Benefits of Split Delivery

Conclusion: Use Split Delivery Smartly

Split delivery is a powerful solution for businesses managing multiple email systems or migrating to Google Workspace. It ensures business continuity, flexible testing, and centralized domain control.

If you're not ready to fully switch to Gmail or want to test Google Workspace with a pilot team, this setup is ideal.

Need Help with G Suite Email Configuration?

At Teng Spectrum, we help businesses implement smart, scalable email systems including split delivery, SPF/DKIM setup, and email security.

Ready to migrate or optimize your business email?
Contact Teng Spectrum now for expert setup and support.