📧 DKIM, SPF, DMARC and MX Setup

Hello Skyleader! 

In this article we will show you how to set up some important things for your email

Setting up DKIM, SPF, DMARC, and MX is vital for safeguarding your reputation and boosting your email deliverability, which in turn increases your chances of getting responses.

We highly recommend to take care of this as soon as possible 😃

Before you jump into it, be aware that the configuration of DKIM, SPF, and DMARC records falls under your DNS settings, which can be found with your domain provider (such as GoDaddy, Squarespace, Namecheap, etc.).

This aspect is entirely the responsibility of your domain provider and not Smartlead.

But fear not, we're here to walk you through the process and ensure that you reach the best outcomes in your campaigns 🔥

What do DKIM, SPF, DMARC and MX mean?

• DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)

  • This standard ensures that emails are not tampered with during transit between sending and recipient servers. It uses public-key cryptography for email signing.
  • DKIM signing helps in detecting forged sender addresses and confirms the email's authenticity.

• Sender Policy Framework (SPF)

  • SPF is used to detect forged sender addresses. It checks that mail from a specific domain is submitted by an authorized IP address. DMARC is needed to detect the forging of the visible sender.
  • SPF publishes the list of authorized sending hosts and IP addresses in the DNS records.

• DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance)

  • DMARC is an email authentication protocol to protect a domain from unauthorized use, like email spoofing.
  • The main purpose is to safeguard a domain from business email compromise attacks, phishing emails, scams, and other cyber threats.
  • Once DMARC is implemented, incoming emails are authenticated, and depending on the DMARC record, the email may be delivered, quarantined, or rejected.
    • DMARC extends SPF and DKIM, allowing a domain's owner to publish policies in DNS records, specifying mechanisms, failure handling, and reporting

• .MX Records (A mail exchanger record) record i which specifies a mail server to handle a domain's email. In short, these records tell the internet which server is responsible for accepting emails when emails are sent to your domain

Why are DMARC, SPF, DKIM and MX needed?

• These protocols protect against phishing and spam, which are major gateways for network breaches.
• It's crucial to have all three protocols, as they complement each other, and most businesses will need all of them.
• Guidance on configuring these settings is available for various platforms, such as Google or cPanel.
• Without MX records you won’t be able receive or even send emails. 

 How to configure them?

⚠️ Make sure to follow the examples based on your domain provider and email provider. ⚠️

Instructions for setting up DKIM, SPF, MX and DMARC are detailed, depending on your provider, such as Google Admin or domain host sites like GoDaddy, Squarespace, Namecheap, etc.

Be patient, as these changes can take up to 72 hours to take effect.

📭 MX Records

Without MX records, you won’t be able to receive or even send emails. This part is fundamental.

• Gmail MX Record Setup
• Outlook MX Record Setup

🖊️ DKIM Setup

• Gmail Setup
• Outlook Setup

🏷️ SPF Setup

• Gmail Setup
• Outlook Setup

📩 DMARC Setup

• Gmail Setup
  • Before you do the setup, read This
• Outlook Setup
  
  

We hope this tutorial was helpful! 

Enjoy your Skylead experience! 🚀