Why should I use a subdomain for email sending instead of my main domain?

Yes, it is highly recommended. Using a subdomain separates your email sending reputation from your main domain. If your email marketing efforts lead to issues, such as being placed on a blacklist or blocklist, it will affect the subdomain's reputation, not your primary domain's, protecting your main website or business operations.

How long does it take for subdomain DNS changes to take effect in GoDaddy?

After adding DNS records in GoDaddy, it can take some time for these changes to be recognized across the internet. This period is known as DNS propagation and can range from a few minutes to up to 48 hours. You can use online DNS lookup tools to check if your records have propagated globally.

What types of DNS records are most important for email subdomains?

For email, you'll primarily be dealing with TXT records (for SPF and DMARC) and potentially CNAME records (for DKIM and tracking domains). While A records are fundamental for websites, they are generally not used for configuring a subdomain for email sending unless you are pointing it to a specific mail server IP directly.

Do I need MX records for an email sending subdomain?

If your subdomain is only used for sending emails (e.g., transactional emails where replies are not expected or are directed to your main domain), then you typically do not need MX records. MX records are only necessary if you intend for your subdomain to actively receive incoming emails.

What is the step by step process to setup a subdomain in Godaddy for email? - Technical - Email deliverability - Knowledge base

Setting up a subdomain for email sending is a crucial step for maintaining good email deliverability and separating your email traffic. Many email service providers (ESPs) recommend using a dedicated subdomain for marketing, transactional, or bounce emails to protect your main domain's reputation. If you're managing your domain through

GoDaddy, the process involves configuring several DNS records.

I've guided many users through this, and while it might seem complex at first glance, breaking it down into manageable steps makes it straightforward. The key is understanding what each record does and where to place it within GoDaddy's DNS management interface.

This guide will walk you through the precise steps to set up your subdomain for email in GoDaddy, ensuring your messages are properly authenticated and ready for sending. Remember, your ESP will provide the specific values for these DNS records, so always have that information handy.

Understanding email subdomains and DNS records

Before you dive into the GoDaddy interface, it's essential to understand the basic concepts of email subdomains and the DNS records required for email functionality. A subdomain, like mail.yourdomain.com, allows you to isolate your email sending reputation from your main domain. This is vital because if your subdomain gets listed on a blocklist (or blacklist), your main domain's reputation remains largely unaffected.

Record Type	Purpose for Email	Typical GoDaddy Value
SPF (TXT)	Authorizes sending servers. Prevents email spoofing by specifying which servers can send email on behalf of your domain.	v=spf1 include:esp.com ~all
DKIM (TXT or CNAME)	Adds a digital signature to your emails, verifying sender identity and ensuring message integrity. Some ESPs use CNAMEs for simplicity.	selector._domainkey.sub.yourdomain.com (TXT) or cname.esp.com (CNAME)
DMARC (TXT)	Instructs receiving mail servers on how to handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM authentication. Provides reporting on email authentication.	v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com
MX (Mail Exchange)	Directs incoming email for your subdomain to the correct mail server. Usually only needed if the subdomain is meant to receive mail.	0 sub.yourdomain.com
CNAME (Canonical Name)	Aliases one domain name to another. Often used for tracking or sometimes for DKIM records provided by your ESP.	tracking.sub.yourdomain.com CNAME track.esp.com

Your ESP (email service provider) is the primary source for the exact DNS values you'll need. They provide the what (the specific TXT or CNAME records and their values), and GoDaddy will be the how (the interface where you input these records). If you're using a third-party email service, they often have specific guides, like SocketLabs' GoDaddy setup guide.

Accessing GoDaddy DNS settings

The first step is always to log into your domain registrar, which in this case is GoDaddy. Once you're logged in, you'll need to navigate to the DNS management section for the domain where you want to create the subdomain. This is where all your domain's DNS records are housed and configured.

Steps to access GoDaddy DNS management

Sign In: Log in to your GoDaddy account.
Domain Portfolio: Navigate to your Domain Portfolio, where you see all your registered domains.
Select Domain: Find the primary domain you wish to add a subdomain to and select it to access its settings. GoDaddy has a helpful guide on how to add a subdomain.
DNS Settings: Look for and click on the DNS option to view your DNS records. This is sometimes labeled as Manage DNS or similar.

Once you're in the DNS management section, you'll see a list of existing DNS records, such as A, CNAME, MX, and TXT records. Each of these plays a role in how your domain functions. For email, we'll primarily be adding or modifying TXT, CNAME, and potentially MX records.

Adding essential email authentication records

With the DNS management page open, you can begin adding the necessary records provided by your ESP. These typically include SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These records are critical for email authentication and signal to receiving mail servers that your emails are legitimate and not spam or phishing attempts. Proper configuration directly impacts your deliverability rates.

Example SPF TXT record for a subdomainDNS

Host: mail.yourdomain.com
Type: TXT
Value: "v=spf1 include:esp.com ~all"
TTL: 600 (or default)

When adding DKIM, your ESP might provide you with a TXT record or a CNAME record. If it's a CNAME, it simplifies things because you're pointing to a record managed by your ESP. For instance, a DKIM CNAME record might look like dkim._domainkey.mail.yourdomain.com aliasing to dkim._domainkey.esp.com. If it's a TXT record, you'll copy the long string provided by your ESP directly into the value field. Understanding how to set up SPF and DKIM for new subdomains is key.

DKIM with TXT record

Direct Key: You will copy a specific, long text string (the public key) directly from your ESP and paste it into the TXT value field in GoDaddy.
Manual Updates: If your ESP rotates DKIM keys, you'll need to manually update this TXT record each time, which can be cumbersome.
Host Field: The host field will typically be selector._domainkey.yoursubdomain.

DKIM with CNAME record

Aliased Key: You point your DKIM record to a CNAME provided by your ESP (e.g., dkim.esp.com), which then handles the key management.
Automatic Updates: This is generally preferred as your ESP can rotate keys without requiring you to make changes in GoDaddy.
Host Field: The host field will be selector._domainkey.yoursubdomain.

Finally, add your DMARC record. This is always a TXT record and provides instructions to receiving mail servers on how to handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks, as well as reporting back on authentication results. You should also consider how to set up DMARC records for subdomains.

MX records and advanced configurations

While SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial for outbound email authentication, you might also need to configure MX (Mail Exchange) records for your subdomain. MX records specify the mail servers responsible for accepting email messages on behalf of your domain. If your subdomain is solely used for sending, such as for marketing emails, you typically won't need MX records for it.

However, if you plan for your subdomain to also receive emails (e.g., for bounce management or replies), you will need to add MX records that point to the mail server handling those incoming messages. This could be your ESP's inbound mail server or another dedicated server. Ensuring these records are correct is just as important for deliverability as your SPF and DKIM records, as issues can cause emails to be blacklisted (or blocklisted) or simply not reach the inbox.

After setting up all the necessary records, always verify their propagation using an online DNS checker. DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet, though GoDaddy changes are often quicker. Once propagated, your subdomain should be ready for sending authenticated emails.

Views from the trenches

Best practices

Always use a dedicated subdomain for email sending to protect your main domain's reputation.

Verify all DNS records with your ESP's documentation before adding them to GoDaddy.

Test your email deliverability after configuration to ensure records are correctly set.

Implement a DMARC policy from the start to gain visibility into your email authentication.

Common pitfalls

Forgetting to include your ESP's IP addresses or domains in your SPF record, leading to SPF failures.

Incorrectly copying DKIM keys, especially long TXT records, which can cause validation issues.

Expecting immediate propagation of DNS changes, as it can take time to update globally.

Not configuring MX records if your subdomain is also intended to receive mail.

Expert tips

Use a CNAME for DKIM whenever your ESP supports it for easier management.

Set a low TTL (Time To Live) for new records during setup to speed up propagation.

Regularly monitor your DMARC reports to identify authentication issues early.

Be aware of the difference between your main domain's DNS and your subdomain's DNS records.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks says when setting up DNS records, the ESP needs to provide the specific settings required; you shouldn't guess them, especially for DKIM key pairs.

2023-01-15 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks says ESPs will tell you the 'what' in terms of records, and GoDaddy provides the 'how' to actually implement them.

2023-02-20 - Email Geeks

Finalizing your GoDaddy subdomain setup

Setting up a subdomain for email in GoDaddy is a fundamental step towards professional and reliable email communication. By carefully adding the correct SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, you establish a strong foundation for your email authentication, helping your messages land in the inbox and not the spam folder.

Always prioritize the specific instructions from your email service provider, as their recommended record values are tailored to their systems. Once all records are in place and propagated, remember to monitor your email performance and authentication reports to ensure everything is working as intended. This proactive approach will contribute significantly to your long-term email deliverability success.