Summary
Changing nameservers primarily shifts where your domain's DNS records are managed. While the act itself doesn't directly alter email deliverability, the migration process, if not handled carefully, can introduce significant risks. These risks often stem from incorrect or missing DNS records, which are crucial for email authentication and routing. Ensuring all existing DNS records, especially those for email like MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, are accurately replicated on the new nameservers is paramount.
Key findings
- Direct impact minimal: The change of nameservers itself does not directly impact email deliverability, but rather the DNS records they host.
- Migration risk: The primary risk lies in improper migration or replication of DNS records during the transition, leading to service interruptions.
- DNS record importance: Accurate transfer of MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records is critical for continued email functionality and authentication. For more details on these, see our guide on DMARC, SPF, and DKIM.
- Transition period: Overlap the old and new nameservers for a few days to minimize disruption due to DNS caching (Time to Live or TTL values).
- Blacklisting potential: New IP addresses associated with the nameservers, or hosting providers with poor reputations, could be already blocklisted, affecting deliverability. It's crucial to understand what happens when your domain is on a blocklist.
Key considerations
- Pre-migration audit: Before changing nameservers, perform a thorough audit of all existing DNS records, especially those vital for email.
- Verification: Verify that all DNS records, particularly MX records, are correctly configured on the new nameservers before making the switch live. According to MyTechGuy.co.nz, you need to do extra work to ensure you don't lose email.
- IP reputation check: Check the reputation of any new IP addresses that will be used by your domain to ensure they are not on major blocklists or blacklists.
- Monitoring: Continuously monitor email deliverability and DNS resolution during and after the transition period to quickly identify and resolve any issues.
- Hosting provider reputation: Avoid cheap or unreliable hosting providers for nameservers, as some mailbox providers may penalize domains hosted on nameservers primarily used for abusive activities.
What email marketers say
Email marketers are often concerned about any change to their domain's infrastructure that might disrupt their campaigns. When it comes to changing nameservers, their main worry is the potential for email service interruption and the impact on their ability to send and receive emails reliably. They generally view the change as low risk if handled meticulously, emphasizing the importance of proper DNS record migration and a cautious transition period to avoid deliverability pitfalls.
Key opinions
- Low perceived risk: Many marketers believe that switching nameservers is unlikely to cause issues if the DNS records are migrated correctly. They often don't foresee significant harm unless there's a human error.
- Proper migration is key: The success of the nameserver change hinges entirely on the proper migration of all existing DNS settings to the new provider.
- Transition period overlap: It's advisable to have an overlap period where both old and new DNS systems are active to mitigate potential issues caused by DNS caching or propagation delays, as highlighted on Quora.
- Subdomain impact: There is often concern about whether changing the core domain's nameservers will affect subdomains, even though their DNS queries follow the same delegation chain.
Key considerations
- Comprehensive planning: Marketers should work closely with their infrastructure teams to meticulously plan the migration, ensuring no critical DNS records are overlooked.
- Contingency for errors: While human error is the main perceived risk, marketers should have contingency plans in place for potential issues that arise during the switch.
- Post-migration checks: Actively verify that all email services are functioning as expected immediately after the nameserver change, including sending and receiving test emails.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks notes that switching nameservers for a core domain is very unlikely to have an impact on the overall setup. This indicates a general sentiment that if the process is followed correctly, there shouldn't be major issues.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that issues are unlikely unless something isn't migrated properly. They suggest that during the transition period, some DNS requests might trip up, making an overlap of a few days advisable to ensure a smooth switch.
What the experts say
Experts in email deliverability and DNS management generally agree that while nameserver changes themselves are not inherently problematic, the devil is in the details of the migration. They highlight the critical need for meticulous verification of all DNS records, particularly MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, to ensure uninterrupted email flow. A significant concern is the potential for new IP addresses to be associated with existing blacklists or for the new nameserver host to have a poor reputation, which can severely impact sender reputation and deliverability.
Key opinions
- Migration is the risk: The main risk associated with nameserver changes is human error or misconfiguration during the migration of DNS records.
- IP blacklist checks: It's vital to check if any new IP addresses involved in the nameserver change are on blocklists (e.g., DROP, SBL), as this could immediately affect email deliverability. For more on this, see our article on what is an email blacklist.
- DNS query chain: Every DNS query, including those for subdomains, relies on the nameserver chain from the roots down. An issue at the main nameserver level can therefore impact all associated domains and subdomains.
- Nameserver provider reputation: Some mailbox providers (MBPs) may dislike domains hosted on nameservers primarily used for phishing or other malicious activities, even if your domain is clean. Choosing reputable commercial DNS providers is therefore crucial.
Key considerations
- Due diligence: Perform thorough due diligence, including checking new IPs against major blocklists, even if the perceived risk is low.
- Comprehensive record transfer: Ensure all relevant DNS records, especially MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, are accurately transferred and configured on the new nameservers.
- Monitor propagation: Be aware of DNS propagation times and monitor the shift to the new nameservers to catch any resolution problems early. This relates closely to understanding why emails fail to deliver after switching DNS nameservers.
- Provider quality: Invest in commercial, high-quality DNS providers rather than relying on inexpensive hosting solutions that might carry hidden reputation risks.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks indicates that changing nameservers is very unlikely to cause issues. This suggests that the core mechanism of nameserver changes is robust, provided other factors are managed correctly.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks warns that if new IP addresses were blocklisted by services like DROP, it would be detrimental. They emphasize that any misstep during migration is the main risk, highlighting the importance of pre-checks.
What the documentation says
Technical documentation universally emphasizes the foundational role of DNS in email deliverability. It details how specific DNS records like MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are essential for proper email routing, authentication, and protection against spam and spoofing. Any change to nameservers necessitates a precise transfer and configuration of these records to prevent service disruption and maintain a strong sender reputation. It also highlights the importance of managing TTL values to control DNS propagation during changes.
Key findings
- DNS records are vital: DNS records (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are fundamental for email to function securely and reliably. Their correct alignment with email infrastructure directly impacts deliverability.
- Misconfiguration leads to issues: Missing or improperly configured DNS records can cause emails to be flagged as suspicious, leading to them being blocked or sent to spam folders.
- Security enhancement: Implementing proper DNS records enhances email security, protecting against spam, phishing, and spoofing attempts.
- Propagation delay: Changes to DNS records, including MX records, can take time to propagate globally due to TTL values, leading to temporary disruptions if not managed properly. Practical 365 notes that MX record changes can take up to 60 minutes for other servers to recognize, according to Practical 365.
Key considerations
- Comprehensive DNS setup: When changing nameservers, ensure that all necessary DNS records for email (MX, A, CNAME, SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are fully transferred and correctly configured. DNS Made Easy provides an essential guide for DNS professionals on the interplay between DNS and email.
- TTL management: Carefully manage TTL values during the transition to minimize downtime and ensure timely propagation of new DNS information.
- Validation tools: Utilize DNS validation tools to confirm the proper setup and propagation of all records on the new nameservers before fully cutting over.
- Deliverability impact: Understand that the alignment of DNS records with email sending infrastructure is crucial for prompt message acceptance and delivery, as highlighted by PeopleLinx.
Technical article
Documentation from PeopleLinx highlights that when DNS records align with email sending infrastructure, email servers are more likely to accept and deliver messages promptly. This emphasizes the importance of a coherent DNS setup for optimal email flow.
Technical article
Documentation from DNS Made Easy stresses that implementing correct DNS records not only ensures smooth email communication but also enhances security, protecting against spam. This indicates the dual benefit of proper DNS configuration for both deliverability and safety.
Related resources
8 resources
Related pages
Why do emails fail to deliver after switching DNS nameservers without MX record changes?
How do SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and dedicated IPs affect email deliverability when using a third-party ESP?
How do broken SPF records, like those with too many DNS lookups or exceeding size limits, affect email deliverability and authentication?
What is an email blacklist and how does it work?
A simple guide to DMARC, SPF, and DKIM
What happens when your domain is on an email blacklist?
Boost email deliverability rates: technical solutions from top performing senders
Email deliverability issues: getting your messages to the inbox in 2025
