Implementing DKIM is crucial for enhancing email deliverability and protecting domain reputation. It verifies the sender's identity, preventing spoofing and ensuring messages aren't altered in transit. While DKIM generally builds trust with email providers and improves inbox placement, initial implementation can sometimes cause temporary deliverability issues, including deferrals and potential resets of existing unsigned domain reputation. DKIM achieves this by adding an encrypted signature to email headers, which receiving systems use to authenticate messages. Correct configuration and continuous monitoring are essential, and integrating DKIM with DMARC provides enhanced domain protection. Unsigned domains remain invisible in Google Postmaster Tools (GPMT), highlighting the significance of authentication for reputation tracking. Treat initial DKIM implementation as a warm-up process and, if possible, add an additional signature with the client's domain.
12 marketer opinions
Implementing DKIM significantly impacts domain reputation and email deliverability. While it generally helps build trust with email providers by verifying the sender's legitimacy and preventing spoofing, improper setup or initial implementation can sometimes lead to temporary deliverability issues, including deferrals and reputation resets. DKIM works by adding an encrypted signature to email headers, which receiving servers use to verify the message's authenticity. Combined with DMARC, DKIM further protects the domain and improves inbox placement. However, it's crucial to ensure correct configuration and monitoring to avoid potential negative impacts on deliverability. Unsigned domains don't appear in Google Postmaster Tools, emphasizing the importance of authentication for reputation tracking.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Sendinblue explains that DKIM helps mailbox providers identify and filter spam. By implementing DKIM, you demonstrate that you are a legitimate sender, reducing the likelihood of your emails being marked as spam.
6 Apr 2025 - Sendinblue
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit explains that implementing DKIM without proper setup can negatively affect deliverability temporarily, emphasizing the importance of correct configuration and monitoring.
5 Jun 2022 - Reddit
3 expert opinions
DKIM significantly impacts email deliverability by providing authentication mechanisms. It allows receiving mail servers to verify that an email originates from the claimed domain, which prevents spoofing and phishing attacks. Adding an additional signature with the client's domain can be beneficial. By confirming the sender's identity, DKIM helps improve sender reputation and overall deliverability.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggests that if possible, the ESP should allow adding an additional signature with the client's domain.
27 Jan 2025 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that DKIM can help improve deliverability by allowing receiving mail servers to verify that an email truly originated from the domain it claims to be from. This helps to prevent spoofing and phishing attacks, and can improve your sender reputation.
27 Feb 2024 - Spam Resource
5 technical articles
DKIM improves email deliverability by providing an authentication method that verifies the sender's identity and ensures message integrity. By adding an encrypted signature to email headers, receiving systems can confirm that the message hasn't been altered and originates from the claimed domain, preventing sender address forgery. This authentication process helps build trust, improves email security, and reduces the likelihood of messages being marked as spam. DKIM is a crucial component of an overall email authentication strategy.
Technical article
Documentation from dmarcian explains that DKIM provides a mechanism to validate the source and integrity of email messages. While DKIM alone does not guarantee improved deliverability, it's a crucial component of a broader email authentication strategy that can positively influence inbox placement.
12 Oct 2023 - dmarcian
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft explains that DKIM adds an encrypted signature to the header of email messages. Email systems that receive DKIM-signed email use the public key to verify that the message was not altered after it was sent. Without DKIM, messages sent from your domain might be marked as spam.
15 Mar 2022 - Microsoft
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