How to authenticate a sending domain to improve deliverability

Email & Newsletters

Goal: Improve email deliverability by properly authenticating your sending domain. Approach: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC with alignment and verify results.
Goal: Ensure ongoing deliverability with simple, repeatable checks.
Approach: Use a runbook-style checklist to implement and validate changes.

Who is this for?

- Email marketing managers
- IT admins responsible for DNS and domain configuration
- Compliance officers ensuring authentication standards
- Teams handling transactional emails from custom domains

Before you start

- Access to DNS control panel and ability to publish TXT/CNAME records
- Knowledge of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC basics
- The authority to modify DNS records for the domain

General Process (How it works)

  1. Audit existing DNS records Review current SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup and identify gaps.
  2. Publish SPF for authorized sending domains Ensure SPF includes all legitimate mail sources and uses a single policy.
  3. Enable and publish DKIM signatures Set up DKIM selectors and sign all outbound messages.
  4. Publish DMARC policy with alignment Choose a policy (none/quarantine/reject) and require SPF and DKIM alignment.
  5. Test with controlled sends Send test messages to verify authentication results and adjust DNS TTLs.
  6. Monitor DMARC reports Review aggregate reports to detect misuse and adjust rules.
  7. Document the runbook Create a reusable process for future domain authentications.

Watch out in Free Plans

❌ Partial coverage: Free plans may not cover all subdomains; ensure coverage.
❌ Limited automation: Automation features for monitoring and alerts may be unavailable.
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