Using a Verified Domain for Email Sending

What is a verified sending domain?

A verified sending domain allows you to set up authentication records (SPF and DKIM) with your web host. This tells mailbox providers like Gmail and Microsoft that you are a real business, and you have given ConvertKit permission to send using your domain on your behalf. 


Note: This is an advanced article. If you aren't comfortable customizing your DNS records (or don't know what they are), you should not proceed. 


First, let's make sure a verified sending domain is right for you.


Verified Sending Domains are best for senders who:

  • Send at least 50,000 messages per month
  • Have an average open rate of at least 20%


If you don't fit the above criteria, setting up a Verified Sending Domain could result in deliverability issues and we don't recommend moving forward.


If you do fit the criteria above, read on for instructions.


Note: It is possible that you will see a temporary drop in open rates after setting up a verified sending domain. This is because mailbox providers re-evaluate your sender reputation any time there is a major change to the way you send email (IP address, from-address, return-path address etc.)

While your reputation is being re-calculated, it is normal to see open rates temporarily drop or improve. They should return to normal after sending through your verified sending domain consistently for 2-3 weeks. Suppressing Cold Subscribers for 2 weeks is a great way to speed up the reputation calculation process.

Setup Instructions

To set this up, you'll need a basic understanding of CNAME records.

How to request a verified sending domain

To get started:

  1. Go to your "Settings" and click on "Sender's Email & Verified Domains" from the menu bar on the left
  2. Click the "Create verified sending domain" button
  3. Fill in the preffered domain name and select an Email address.
  4. To verify an unverified domain click on the verify icon on the action column to display DNS records you need to enter into your domain DNS provider portal. 
  5. Adding this data will enable sendmunk to use your specified domain to send mails.
  6. Add the records that appear to your DNS. For more information on this, see the "Configuring your Records" section below.
  7. Once you've added the records, click "Verify Domain"
  8. If your records are set up correctly, you will receive a message that your sending domain is verified. 

If you continue to have trouble after trying both full and truncated versions of the host values, we recommend reaching out to your hosting support.


CNAME Instructions for Common Domain Registrars