Summary
Setting up DKIM records can be a significant hurdle for non-technical users due to varying behaviors of DNS providers regarding domain appending. Some providers automatically add the domain name to the host record, while others require it to be manually included. This inconsistency often leads to common misconfigurations and DMARC authentication failures.
Key findings
- GoDaddy and Squarespace: These providers often automatically append the domain, causing issues if users manually include the full domain name in the DKIM host entry.
- Cloudflare behavior: Cloudflare may also automatically append the domain, even when the user attempts to enter the full domain manually.
- Varied practices: Most other DNS providers either automatically append the domain or clearly display the full hostname, indicating that only the selector (e.g., selector._domainkey) is needed.
- Impact on DMARC: Incorrect DKIM setups, particularly those with appended domains, directly lead to DMARC verification failures, impacting email deliverability.
- Automated solutions: Developing tools that detect the DNS provider's behavior (via NS value) and generate tailored instructions can significantly ease setup.
Key considerations
- User guidance: It is crucial to guide users, especially those without technical expertise, on how their specific DNS provider handles domain appending for DKIM records. This helps prevent common setup errors.
- Verification process: Always recommend that users verify their DKIM record setup using a reliable DKIM verification tool to ensure the record is correctly published and recognized.
- Provider-specific instructions: Offer tailored instructions for known problematic DNS providers like GoDaddy and Squarespace, explicitly detailing how to enter the DKIM host without causing double appending.
- Streamlined setup: Consider implementing intelligent setup flows that dynamically adjust instructions based on the user's detected DNS provider. This aligns with approaches for setting up DMARC, SPF, and DKIM effectively.
- External resources: Refer to general guides like Mailcoach's guide to SPF and DKIM DNS records for a broader understanding of authentication setup.
What email marketers say
Email marketers frequently encounter significant challenges when configuring DKIM records, especially when dealing with DNS providers that have inconsistent or unclear behaviors regarding domain appending. The primary concern revolves around ensuring that the DKIM host entry is correctly formatted to avoid authentication failures, which can severely impact email deliverability and sender reputation. Many express frustration with specific providers that add the domain automatically, leading to common errors.
Key opinions
- GoDaddy and Squarespace issues: These DNS providers are frequently cited as problematic due to their automatic domain appending, which causes misconfigurations when users manually include the full domain name.
- Difficulty for non-technical users: The setup process is often confusing for those without a technical background, leading to persistent errors despite following instructions.
- DMARC verification failures: Incorrect DKIM setups directly result in DMARC authentication failures, complicating deliverability troubleshooting.
- Need for automated tools: Marketers desire tools that can detect the DNS provider and provide precise, error-proof instructions for DKIM record entry.
- Streamlined processes: There's a strong preference for simplified setup processes that minimize the chance of manual errors and reduce the need for constant corrections.
Key considerations
- Clear instructions: Provide unambiguous and provider-specific instructions for DKIM setup, explicitly addressing common pitfalls with domain appending. This helps in fixing DKIM domain mismatch errors.
- Pre-emptive guidance: Educate users about specific DNS provider behaviors (e.g., GoDaddy automatically appending the domain) to prevent initial setup mistakes.
- User-friendly verification: Offer easy-to-use verification tools that allow marketers to quickly confirm their DKIM record is correctly published. This supports troubleshooting DKIM failures.
- Simplified DNS interfaces: Advocate for DNS providers to simplify their interfaces for adding DNS records, making it more intuitive for non-technical users to input correct values without confusion.
- External solutions: Consider resources like Freshsales' guide on creating DKIM records for practical steps.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks notes that GoDaddy can cause significant issues by appending the domain when users manually add their domain name. This often leads to DMARC verification problems, where the record is not properly recognized. It creates a troubleshooting challenge for those new to DMARC. They often encounter situations where customers believe they have correctly updated their DMARC, only to find it's being treated as _dmarc.domain.com.domain.com due to GoDaddy's automatic appending behavior. This highlights a common and frustrating technical hurdle.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks observes that a majority of DNS providers they have worked with either append the domain name automatically, even if the user manually includes the full domain (like Cloudflare), or already display the domain name, requiring users to only add the specific prefix like _dmarc or selector._domainkey. This variation necessitates careful attention during setup to avoid over-appending, which can lead to invalid DNS records. The key is to understand each provider's specific input requirements.
What the experts say
Email deliverability experts highlight the nuances of DNS provider behavior when setting up DKIM records. They stress the need for robust, programmatic solutions to simplify the process for non-technical users, thereby reducing common errors related to domain appending. The consensus points towards embracing standards like Domain Connect to make email authentication more accessible and foolproof.
Key opinions
- Domain Connect standard: Experts widely endorse the Domain Connect open standard as a critical solution for securely adding DNS records programmatically, without requiring client login details.
- Automated setup benefits: Automated approaches are deemed essential for minimizing manual errors and making sender authentication more accessible to the average user.
- Provider-specific challenges: Acknowledging that some DNS providers (like GoDaddy) have specific behaviors that lead to double domain appending is vital for effective troubleshooting.
- Foolproof authentication: The goal is to create systems that are as foolproof as possible, given the complexities of DNS and email authentication for laypersons.
- Proactive solutions: Developing tools that leverage NS detection to provide tailored setup guides is a recommended proactive approach.
Key considerations
- Implementing Domain Connect: Service providers should investigate and implement the Domain Connect open standard to automate DNS record provisioning for their clients.
- Refined error detection: Enhance tools to specifically detect DNS provider nuances, such as domain appending, to give precise instructions to users, potentially preventing issues with DKIM record selectors.
- Simplified user experience: Design user interfaces and setup flows that abstract away technical complexities, making DKIM setup as simple as possible for non-technical individuals.
- Subdomain handling: Provide clear guidance on how DKIM records should be set up for subdomains, specifying which domain should be used for signing. For more, see DKIM setup for subdomains.
- Educational emphasis: Educate users on the importance of DKIM for deliverability, as covered by resources like Fastmail's explanation of why DKIM is needed.
Expert view
An expert from Email Geeks suggests exploring the Domain Connect open standard. This standard provides a secure method for programmatically adding DNS records to a client's domain without requiring their login credentials. It streamlines the setup process, which is beneficial for both service providers and end-users. They note that Domain Connect is already supported by a significant number of DNS providers, making it a viable solution for widespread adoption in simplifying email authentication configurations like DKIM and DMARC.
Expert view
An expert from Email Geeks strongly endorses the Domain Connect standard for its ability to make sender authentication more accessible and robust for non-technical individuals. They view it as a crucial advancement in simplifying complex DNS configurations for the average user. This standard is seen as the leading solution for creating a foolproof setup process, significantly reducing the common errors encountered when manually configuring records like DKIM and SPF.
What the documentation says
Official documentation from various sources, including DNS providers and technical forums, often provides guidance on setting up DKIM records. However, there's a recognized inconsistency in how these instructions address the appending of the domain name to the DKIM host. Some documentation implicitly handles it, while others offer explicit instructions or warnings regarding this behavior.
Key findings
- Inconsistent instructions: Documentation varies greatly, with some providers stating to enter only the selector and others requiring the full hostname, leading to user confusion.
- Implicit domain appending: Many DNS interfaces automatically append the root domain to any entered subdomain, which is often not explicitly stated in their guides.
- Common selector format: The standard format for a DKIM record's hostname is generally selector._domainkey, with the domain typically added by the DNS system.
- Troubleshooting complexity: When DKIM fails, documentation often points to incorrect DNS entry as a primary cause, requiring users to manually check their records.
Key considerations
- Clarity in instructions: Documentation should clearly specify whether the domain needs to be included in the host field or if it's automatically appended by the DNS provider. This helps avoid issues with record length.
- Visual examples: Including screenshots or visual examples for common DNS providers can significantly aid non-technical users in correctly entering DKIM records.
- Standardized selector examples: Providing clear examples of DKIM selector name usage can reduce ambiguity. For instance, explaining that for s1._domainkey.example.com, one might only need to enter s1._domainkey.
- External guidance: Referencing community resources like Super User's guide on DKIM DNS records can offer additional context and common troubleshooting tips.
Technical article
Documentation from Super User describes the common steps for setting up a DKIM DNS record. It typically involves logging into your DNS settings, which are often provided by your domain registrar or web host. The process highlights that users need to add a TXT record with specific host and value fields, often provided by their email service provider. This guide implies that understanding the host field's behavior is critical, as some systems might automatically append the domain.
Technical article
Documentation from Server Fault discusses scenarios where DKIM records need to be set up without direct server signing. This situation arises when an email service provider does not natively handle DKIM for a domain, leaving the responsibility to the domain owner. It explains that in such cases, the DNS record must be precisely configured to match the expected signature, often requiring careful manual entry of the host and value. This emphasizes the need for accurate DNS configuration knowledge.
Related resources
7 resources
Related pages
How to verify DMARC, DKIM, and SPF setup?
How to fix DKIM from domain mismatch and understand DMARC risks?
Can DKIM be set up on a subdomain, and which domain should be used for signing?
What causes DKIM key issues when DNS provider limits TXT record length?
How to find DKIM record without selector?
How to troubleshoot DKIM failures and which tools to use?
How to set up and troubleshoot SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for email domain authentication?
A practical guide to DKIM selector name examples
Decoding DKIM temperror: what it is and how to fix it
How to fix “DKIM record published no DKIM record found” errors
