How to add a DKIM record

How to add a DKIM record

Have you got one? Check here:

Why is DKIM Record Important?

1. Prevents Email Spoofing and Phishing: By validating the domain from which the message was sent, DKIM makes it harder for attackers to spoof emails, thereby protecting against phishing attempts and email fraud.

2. Enhances Deliverability: Emails that are authenticated through DKIM are less likely to be marked as spam by email providers. This improves the deliverability of your emails, ensuring they reach the intended recipient's inbox.

3. Protects Sender Reputation: Since DKIM helps in identifying spoofed emails, it protects your domain's reputation by preventing it from being falsely associated with spam or malicious emails.

4. Compliance and Trust: For certain industries, email authentication may be a compliance requirement. Even outside of regulatory mandates, DKIM enhances trust in your email communications.

Generate one here:

How to Add a DKIM Record

The process to add a DKIM record generally involves the following steps, though specific details can vary depending on your domain hosting service and email-sending service:

1. Generate the DKIM Key Pair: Usually, this is done through your email service provider (ESP). The ESP will generate a public and a private key. The private key is kept secret and used by your email server, while the public key will be published in your DNS records.

2. Add the DKIM Record to Your DNS: You need to create a new TXT record in your domain's DNS settings. The name (or host) field of this record is often something like selector._domainkey.yourdomain.com, where selector is a unique identifier for the key, and yourdomain.com is your actual domain name. The value field of the TXT record will contain the public key provided by your ESP.

3. Configure Your Email Server or Service: Ensure that your email server or the service you're using for sending emails is configured to sign outgoing messages with the private DKIM key. Most managed email services will handle this for you.

4. Test the DKIM Record: After setting up the DKIM record, it's crucial to test and ensure that it's correctly configured and emails are being signed properly. Tools like DKIM validator or your ESP’s tools can help you verify the setup.

5. Update as Needed: If you ever change your email service provider or your key gets compromised, you will need to generate a new DKIM key pair and update your DNS records accordingly.
   

Different domain registrars and DNS providers have slightly different interfaces and procedures for adding DNS records, so it's a good idea to consult the documentation of your DNS provider or reach out to their support for specific instructions related to their platform.