The consensus is that rotating DKIM keys is primarily a security measure that indirectly benefits email deliverability. It's crucial for preventing deliverability issues stemming from compromised keys, mitigating the risk of spoofing and phishing, and maintaining a positive sender reputation. While not directly boosting deliverability scores, a failure to rotate keys poses a substantial security risk. The recommended process involves generating a new key pair, updating DNS records (often including a new selector), testing the new key, transitioning mail flow to the new key, and eventually removing the old key. Different ESPs may have different methods for managing key rotation, and setting up multiple selectors from the start is beneficial. Regularly reminding yourself to change the key is important for continued security.
13 marketer opinions
Rotating DKIM keys is primarily a security measure that indirectly benefits email deliverability. While not directly boosting deliverability scores, it prevents deliverability issues stemming from compromised keys, protects against spoofing and phishing attacks, and contributes to a positive sender reputation. The process involves generating a new key pair, updating DNS records (often with a new selector), testing the new key, switching mail flow, and eventually removing the old key. ESPs may handle rotation differently, some requiring customers to add new DNS records, while others use methods like CNAME ping-pong or maintain multiple selectors.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Vendor Guide suggests setting up multiple DKIM selectors from the start, even if you only use one initially. This makes key rotation easier later because you can switch to a new selector without requiring immediate DNS changes from your customers.
28 Oct 2024 - EmailVendorGuide.com
Marketer view
Email marketer from AuthSMTP explains that changing keys involves generating the new key pair, updating your DNS records and then sending a test email to ensure the new DKIM record is detected. Once the keys are changed you should set a reminder to change the key again in 6-12 months to remain as secure as possible.
16 Nov 2021 - AuthSMTP
8 expert opinions
Experts generally agree that DKIM key rotation is crucial for email security, primarily to prevent deliverability issues that arise from compromised keys. While it may not directly boost deliverability, failing to rotate keys poses a significant security risk. Key rotation involves publishing a new key with a new selector, signing emails with the new key, and eventually removing the old key from DNS. Having multiple keys and a rotation strategy is recommended. CNAME ping-pong is a common method used by ESPs.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that the reason to have multiple keys is so that one can rotate keys, and you should plan for a key rotation strategy.
27 May 2025 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares an article comparing possible ways ESPs might rotate DKIM keys, mentioning CNAME ping-pong as the most common method.
4 Dec 2023 - Email Geeks
3 technical articles
Documentation emphasizes that DKIM key rotation is a security best practice, primarily aimed at mitigating the risk of key compromise. While it doesn't directly improve deliverability, it prevents deliverability issues caused by compromised keys. The process involves generating a new key pair, updating DNS records, and gradually switching to the new key. DKIM uses selectors to facilitate key rotation, allowing senders to transition to a new key without invalidating old signatures by publishing multiple keys under different selectors.
Technical article
Documentation from M3AAWG.org details that DKIM key rotation is a security best practice to mitigate the risk of key compromise. While not directly improving deliverability, it prevents deliverability issues caused by compromised keys. Rotation involves generating a new key pair, updating the DNS record, and gradually switching over to the new key.
20 Dec 2024 - M3AAWG.org
Technical article
Documentation from RFC Editor explains that DKIM uses selectors to allow for key rotation. By publishing multiple keys under different selectors, senders can transition to a new key without immediately invalidating old signatures. The receiving server uses the selector to retrieve the correct public key for verification.
16 Aug 2024 - RFC Editor
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