The collective advice leans towards using separate subdomains for each Email Service Provider (ESP) due to improved reputation isolation. While sharing subdomains has potential for shared mail stream reputation, the benefits of segmentation are often favored. Proper authentication via SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is vital regardless of subdomain strategy, although strict DMARC alignment isn't always essential. Segmentation aids in tracking, management, and control, enabling different DMARC policies for varied traffic. Subdomain variations are useful for deliverability testing. A consistent sender ID is crucial, and technical documentation outlines the setup and management aspects. Automation of DMARC reports is recommended.
8 marketer opinions
The consensus among email marketers is that using separate subdomains for each Email Service Provider (ESP) is generally recommended. This practice allows for isolation of sending reputations, meaning if one ESP experiences deliverability issues, it's less likely to negatively affect the reputation of other ESPs. Segmentation via subdomains also enables more granular tracking, better overall management of diverse email streams, and provides a level of control, especially important when ESPs have varying sending practices.
Marketer view
Email marketer from GMass explains that using multiple domains to improve your deliverability could improve your results, and having a separate domain for transactional and marketing emails to improve trust.
23 Sep 2022 - GMass
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit shares the opinion that using separate subdomains provides a level of isolation and control. If one subdomain gets blacklisted, it won't necessarily impact the others. This is especially important when using multiple ESPs with potentially varying sending practices.
6 Jul 2023 - Reddit
5 expert opinions
Experts have varying perspectives on subdomain usage with multiple ESPs. Some suggest there are pros and cons to sharing subdomains, primarily related to shared reputation. Authentication through SPF and DKIM, with DMARC alignment, is crucial regardless of subdomain strategy, though DMARC alignment isn't strictly essential, nor are different subdomains to achieve it. Isolation of sending reputations is a key benefit of using separate subdomains, reducing the impact of deliverability issues on other ESPs. Furthermore, subdomain variations can be used for deliverability testing and measuring the impact of different ESPs, while DMARC reporting should be automated to a different address than the human-managed reply-to address.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that using different subdomains for each ESP allows for better isolation of sending reputations. If one ESP has deliverability problems, it's less likely to negatively impact the reputation of the other ESPs.
9 Dec 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks explains that it is desirable for the rua/ruf mailto to be different than the from: email used. Reply emails should go to a human, while DMARC reports should go to automation.
9 Oct 2021 - Email Geeks
5 technical articles
Technical documentation emphasizes the importance of properly configured subdomains for email deliverability, sender identification, and security. A consistent sender ID, as highlighted by RFC, builds trust. Google Workspace documentation illustrates subdomain setup within its ecosystem. Microsoft details SPF record configuration, crucial for subdomain authentication and preventing spoofing. DMARC.org explains that different DMARC policies can be implemented for various email traffic types using separate subdomains. Cloudflare provides guidance on DNS settings, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, for managing subdomains.
Technical article
Documentation from Cloudflare details the DNS configuration needed for managing subdomains. It shows how to configure SPF, DKIM and DMARC records.
23 Jan 2023 - Cloudflare
Technical article
Documentation from DMARC.org describes how DMARC policies can be applied to subdomains. Using separate subdomains can allow you to implement different DMARC policies for different types of email traffic.
1 Aug 2024 - DMARC.org
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