Summary
Troubleshooting DMARC, SPF, and DKIM setup issues in Klaviyo often reveals a discrepancy between what a platform indicates and what third-party tools report. This typically stems from how external tools locate and interpret DNS records, particularly DKIM selectors, which can lead to false negatives. The crucial aspect is to verify the actual email headers of sent messages, as this provides the most accurate authentication status.
Key findings
- Tool discrepancies: Some third-party tools may incorrectly report DMARC, SPF, or DKIM failures, even when Klaviyo indicates a correct setup. This is often due to their inability to locate the correct DKIM selector or understanding domain alignment intricacies.
- Return-path vs. sending domain: The domain used for the return-path (e.g., kl.yourdomain.com) might differ from where the DKIM key is published (e.g., send.yourdomain.com), causing some checkers to misinterpret the setup.
- Header analysis: The most reliable method to confirm correct DMARC, SPF, and DKIM authentication is to inspect the email headers of a message sent through Klaviyo. This will show the actual authentication results.
- Klaviyo's updates: Klaviyo is actively working on implementing features like one-click unsubscribe (RFC 8058) to comply with new sender requirements, which are platform-level changes outside of individual user control.
Key considerations
- Verify manually: To confirm your authentication is working, send a test email from Klaviyo to an address like About My Email or a similar email authentication checker. Analyze the received email's headers to see the true SPF, DKIM, and DMARC passes.
- Understand tool limitations: Be aware that many online domain scanners may not accurately detect your DKIM records if they do not know the specific selector Klaviyo uses. Review your DMARC, DKIM, and SPF setup through direct header inspection.
- Focus on deliverability: Even if authentication appears correct, continue to monitor your email deliverability. Factors beyond DMARC, SPF, and DKIM can influence inbox placement, so troubleshooting should also involve addressing other potential spam trigger issues.
- Stay updated: Keep an eye on announcements from Klaviyo and major mailbox providers like Google and Yahoo regarding new email authentication and unsubscribe requirements. Klaviyo documentation on email authentication is a good resource.
What email marketers say
Email marketers often face confusion when third-party tools contradict Klaviyo's internal reports on DMARC, SPF, and DKIM setup. The consensus is that many online verification tools can be misleading because they lack the full context of how email service providers like Klaviyo configure these records, especially regarding dynamic or less common DKIM selectors. Marketers find it essential to look beyond simple tool results and examine the actual email headers.
Key opinions
- Trust email headers: Many marketers assert that inspecting the email headers of a sent message is the most reliable way to confirm authentication, as opposed to relying solely on external domain scanning tools.
- Klaviyo's internal reporting: There's a general belief that if Klaviyo states the setup is correct, it likely is, and discrepancies lie with the third-party checkers.
- Tool inaccuracy: Several marketers have experienced issues with tools like EasyDMARC failing to detect correctly configured DKIM records, citing their inability to find all selectors.
- Platform dependencies: Aspects like one-click unsubscribe and List-ID are recognized as platform-level responsibilities that Klaviyo is working to implement, rather than issues for the individual marketer to resolve.
Key considerations
- Understand domain roles: Recognize that the domain used for your return-path might differ from the domain where your DKIM key is published. This is normal but can confuse some checkers. For more details on this, refer to Klaviyo DKIM and SPF authentication failures.
- Prioritize direct verification: Always prioritize direct verification by examining email headers rather than relying solely on external tools for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC checks. This provides the most accurate status.
- Keep up with requirements: Stay informed about evolving email sender requirements, especially from major inbox providers like Google and Yahoo, regarding RFCs for unsubscribe headers. Klaviyo's troubleshooting branded sending domain issues page might also be helpful.
- Leverage platform support: While authentication setup is yours, platform-level features for deliverability are Klaviyo's responsibility. Provide feedback if you identify areas for improvement like List-ID implementation.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests checking which specific third-party tools are indicating a failure for DMARC, SPF, or DKIM. They note that often, these records appear properly aligned when checked with more reliable methods.
Marketer view
An email marketer from DuoCircle explains the importance of ensuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly set up for Klaviyo to avoid emails landing in spam folders and to improve overall email security.
What the experts say
Email deliverability experts highlight that the most accurate way to verify DMARC, SPF, and DKIM setup is by analyzing the raw headers of a received email, not by relying solely on automated domain scanners. These tools often fail to correctly identify DKIM selectors, especially if they are not standard or if the tool cannot determine the specific selector used by the sending system. Experts emphasize that if an email genuinely passes authentication checks in the header, the setup is correct, regardless of what some tools might report.
Key opinions
- Direct header inspection: Experts agree that the only 100% accurate method to confirm DKIM, SPF, and DMARC functionality is by reviewing the headers of an email that has been sent and received.
- Selector issues: DKIM public keys are only discoverable if the correct selector is known or can be guessed. Many online tools struggle with this, leading to false negatives, particularly with less common or randomly generated selectors.
- Tool limitations: Automated tools often fall short because even if they find a selector, they cannot confirm if it's actively used for signing emails, highlighting the need for live email testing.
- List-ID value: The inclusion of List-ID, especially with a human-readable description, is considered beneficial for user experience in subscription centers and for converting spam complaints into unsubscribes.
Key considerations
- Diagnostic approach: When troubleshooting, always begin by sending a test email and examining its full headers. This diagnostic step provides definitive proof of authentication status. More guidance can be found in the guide to debugging DMARC authentication failures.
- Selector complexity: Be aware that ESPs like Klaviyo (or underlying infrastructure like AWS) may generate complex or non-standard DKIM selectors, making them less 'findable' by generic online tools. Understanding common DKIM selectors can help, but live testing is paramount.
- Beyond authentication: While DMARC, SPF, and DKIM are foundational, other factors impact deliverability. Consider how List-ID and one-click unsubscribe affect user experience and spam complaint rates.
- Stay informed on RFCs: Keep up to date with relevant RFCs (e.g., RFC 8058 for one-click unsubscribe) as they directly influence how mailbox providers interact with your emails. Yahoo's Subscription Hub criteria also reflect these standards.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks explains that Klaviyo is expected to roll out RFC 8058 unsubscribes across its platform, indicating a commitment to evolving sender requirements for better user experience.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource highlights the critical role DMARC plays in preventing unauthorized email sending and protecting brand reputation, serving as a guard dog for email authentication.
What the documentation says
Official documentation from Klaviyo and relevant RFCs provides the foundational understanding for setting up and verifying DMARC, SPF, and DKIM. Klaviyo's help center outlines how to configure these records for branded sending domains, emphasizing their importance for email deliverability. Industry standards, such as RFCs related to unsubscribe headers, also define current and upcoming requirements for senders, which impact how platforms like Klaviyo develop their features to ensure compliance and optimal inbox placement.
Key findings
- Klaviyo's authentication guide: Klaviyo provides guidance on understanding email authentication, including the setup of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for branded sending domains to improve email deliverability.
- Branded domain setup: Klaviyo's documentation addresses troubleshooting issues related to branded sending domains, highlighting common pitfalls in DNS record configuration.
- DMARC's importance: Klaviyo's blog emphasizes DMARC's role as a mechanism to prevent unauthorized email sending on behalf of a domain, safeguarding brand reputation.
- One-click unsubscribe RFCs: RFC 8058 and RFC 2369 are crucial for implementing one-click unsubscribe, a key requirement for mailbox providers like Yahoo to feature senders in their subscription hubs.
Key considerations
- Follow official guides: When setting up or troubleshooting authentication, always refer to Klaviyo's official documentation for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Their email authentication verification guide is essential.
- Understand domain alignment: Ensure your domains are correctly aligned as per DMARC requirements, meaning your From domain aligns with your SPF and DKIM domains. Klaviyo documentation on understanding email deliverability covers this.
- Comply with new standards: Pay close attention to evolving sender requirements from major mailbox providers. Compliance with RFCs like RFC 8058 for one-click unsubscribe is becoming increasingly vital for inbox placement.
- Regular verification: Periodically verify your email authentication configurations using Klaviyo's internal tools and by sending test emails to see the full headers, ensuring ongoing compliance and optimal deliverability.
Technical article
Klaviyo Help Center documentation on understanding email authentication indicates that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial for verifying email sender identity and improving deliverability. They outline steps for setting up these records.
Technical article
The Klaviyo Help Center's troubleshooting guide for branded sending domain issues outlines common problems, such as incorrect CNAME records or DNS propagation delays, that can prevent successful domain authentication.
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19 resources
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