Summary
The overwhelming consensus from experts, marketers, and documentation suggests that a dedicated sending domain should generally NOT be set up to receive emails. The primary purpose of a dedicated sending domain is to build and protect sending reputation by isolating it from the main domain, facilitating bounce management, and enabling email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). In most cases, dedicated sending domains are configured to only send emails. Attempting to receive emails on these domains can lead to deliverability issues or conflicts with how ESPs handle bounce processing. The main domain should be used for receiving emails, and a clear separation between sending and receiving domains is highly recommended.
Key findings
- Sending vs. Receiving: Dedicated sending domains are primarily for sending; the main domain should handle inbound emails.
- Reputation Isolation: Using a separate sending domain isolates reputation and protects the main domain.
- Bounce Management: ESPs often use the dedicated sending subdomain for bounce tracking and management.
- CNAME and MX Records: Dedicated sending domains are often configured with CNAME records, preventing them from receiving emails. They typically lack MX records.
- Authentication: Dedicated sending domains are essential for email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
- From Address: From addresses should never use a domain that cannot receive emails.
Key considerations
- MX Record Setup: Ensure MX records are correctly configured for the receiving domain, and avoid configuring them for the sending domain to prevent unexpected behavior.
- Deliverability Impact: Consider the potential impact on deliverability if the dedicated sending domain attempts to receive emails.
- Feedback Loops: Setting up feedback loops with ESPs is crucial for deliverability, and requires the ability to receive email; the receiving address will be on your main domain.
- Authentication Best Practices: Implement proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for the sending domain.
- ESP Specifications: Always follow the specifications of your ESP on how they use Sending domains.
What email marketers say
8 marketer opinions
The prevailing guidance suggests that dedicated sending domains generally should *not* be configured to receive emails. This stems from the practice of using these domains primarily for sending and bounce tracking, often employing configurations like CNAME records that preclude email reception. While technically feasible, receiving emails on a dedicated sending domain is often deemed unnecessary or even detrimental to deliverability. Instead, using a separate, more general domain for receiving emails is the recommended approach.
Key opinions
- Typical Configuration: Dedicated sending domains are typically configured *only* to send email, not receive it. This is often achieved using CNAME records.
- Bounce Tracking: ESPs frequently use dedicated sending subdomains for bounce tracking. Inbound emails are directed to their bounce processors.
- Reputation Isolation: Subdomains isolate sending reputation from the main corporate domain, safeguarding the main domain from potential sending issues. Reputable platforms have a similar set up.
- Reply Handling: Replies are normally directed to the main company domain and not the sending subdomain.
- DMARC Requirements: Setting up DMARC can be simpler when the sending and receiving domains are separate. DMARC does not require a domain to receive emails in order to validate.
Key considerations
- Deliverability Impact: Consider the potential impact on deliverability if the dedicated sending domain attempts to receive emails. There might be conflict when using this with DMARC.
- MX Record Setup: Ensure MX records are correctly configured for the *receiving* domain, and avoid configuring them for the sending domain to prevent unexpected behavior.
- Feedback Loops: For optimal feedback loop management (with ESPs), you should have a receiving address on your domain.
- Business Requirements: Assess whether there is a genuine business need for the dedicated sending domain to receive emails. This is usually not needed.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks guesses that the ESP uses the subdomain for the 5321.From / bounce tracking, so inbound goes to their bounce processor.
2 Jun 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Litmus explains that using a subdomain is a way to protect your primary domain’s reputation. The article focuses on sending and does not mention any MX records that are required to receive email.
14 Apr 2025 - Litmus
What the experts say
5 expert opinions
Experts generally advise against using a dedicated sending domain to receive emails. Best practice is to ensure the 'From:' address does not use a domain that can't receive mail. The dedicated sending domain is often used for authentication and bounce management, and using it to receive email is either unnecessary or creates deliverability issues. Setting up feedback loops with ESPs requires the ability to receive email, which is a key consideration in this decision.
Key opinions
- From: Address: Never use a 'From:' address with a domain that cannot receive mail.
- Bounce Management: Dedicated sending domains are often used by ESPs for bounce management.
- CNAME Configuration: In platforms like Klaviyo, sending domains are often configured with CNAME records, preventing them from receiving email.
- Authentication Strength: The 'From:' and 'Reply-To:' domains are less critical for identity than the authentication domain.
Key considerations
- Feedback Loops: Setting up feedback loops with ESPs is crucial for deliverability, and requires a domain that *can* receive email.
- Bounce Handling: Configure a bounce management system if using a dedicated sending domain.
- Support Ticketing: Route bounces to a support ticketing system when using a non-receiving sending domain.
- ESP Specifications: Follow the specifications of your ESPs on how they use Sending domains.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks mentions that in Klaviyo, the “sending domain” is used as the domain in the authenticated fields and they’re CNAMED, which is why they can’t receive email.
28 Oct 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks states it is imperative that if the hello@send.brand.com can’t accept email then you Absolutely Should Not use it in the From: address and never send mail with a 5322.from a domain that cannot receive mail.
8 Jun 2024 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Email service provider documentation (SparkPost, Mailjet, SendGrid) suggests that dedicated sending domains are typically *not* configured to receive emails. They are primarily used for sending, building sending reputation, and authentication (as implied by DMARC.org). The main domain is generally used for receiving emails, as MX records are usually not set up for dedicated sending domains.
Key findings
- Sending Focus: Dedicated sending domains/IPs are primarily for *sending* email.
- Reputation Building: A key purpose is to build and isolate sending reputation.
- MX Record Absence: Dedicated sending domains typically lack MX records.
- Main Domain for Receiving: Your main domain should handle inbound emails.
- Authentication: A separate sending domain is created for authentication purposes.
Key considerations
- Reputation Isolation: Using a separate sending domain provides reputation isolation.
- MX Record Management: Carefully manage MX records to ensure email deliverability.
- Inbound Email Handling: Ensure your main domain can effectively handle inbound emails.
- Authentication Standards: Implement appropriate email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for the sending domain.
Technical article
Documentation from SparkPost explains that dedicated IP addresses are not required to receive email. They are primarily used for sending email and building a positive sending reputation. You would typically use your main domain for receiving emails.
22 Nov 2023 - SparkPost
Technical article
Documentation from DMARC.org explains about setting up DMARC policies. It implies that a separate sending domain is created for authentication purposes, suggesting it doesn't need to receive emails for DMARC to function correctly.
10 Jul 2021 - DMARC.org
Are custom sending domains worth the money and effort?
Are no-reply email addresses bad for customer experience and deliverability?
Does sending email from a domain without a website hurt deliverability?
How can I justify the cost of email verification before a migration?
How do I set up an SPF record when using multiple email sending services?
