Are BIMI or ARC required?
No, they are both optional for email delivery.
BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification): This is a branding tool that allows your logo to appear in the recipient’s inbox next to your email. It can help increase brand recognition and trust. However, it only works if your domain has a strong DMARC policy in place.
ARC (Authenticated Received Chain): This is a technical standard that helps maintain email authentication when an email is forwarded or sent through an intermediary service (like a mailing list). It’s primarily relevant for email forwarders and is not necessary for most senders.
DKIM in Route53 shows “CharacterStringTooLong (Value is too long)”. What do I do?
Split the DKIM TXT value into multiple quoted strings. AWS Route53 enforces length limits; splitting resolves the error. Value will have to look like the string lower: “v=DKIM1;k=rsa;p=MIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFA…IIBCgKCAQEAjUuUu1v6… (first part)” “xV4yU7yJ8f2u8n9B0t1c2v3N…6i7j8k9l0m…s7t8u9v0w1x2y3z… (second part)” “yJ8f2u8n9B0t1c2v3N5x7b9c1d2…9l0m1n2o3p4q5r6s7t8u9v0w1x2y3z… (third part)” “t3u0v1w2x3y4z+A1B2C3D4E5F6G7H8I9J0K1L2M3N4O5P6Q7R8S9T0U1V2W3X4Y5Z6A7B8C9D0E1F2G3H4I5J6K7L8M9N0O1P2Q3R4S5T6U7V8W9X0Y1Z2…wX8y2uU3u4C5cQIDAQAB”
Can I use a custom Return-Path domain?
Yes. Configure a Return-Path CNAME on your sending subdomain so bounces can be handled reliably.
Why do I need an MX record?
You need to add an MX (Mail Exchange) record to your domain’s DNS settings to tell the internet where to send your emails. Without an MX record, other mail servers won’t know which server is responsible for receiving mail for your domain.
Do you recommend a dedicated subdomain for sending?
Yes. Use a dedicated subdomain (e.g., mail.yourdomain.com) to isolate reputation (eg to separate commercial and transactional email) and simplify DNS and troubleshooting.
Which DNS records are required for the domain verification process?
Yes. Inboxroad enables sending only after full authentication and verification are complete. This is a critical step that ensures your emails are delivered successfully and establishes your domain’s credibility with receiving mail servers (like Gmail, Outlook, etc.).
The verification process requires adding three specific DNS records to your domain’s settings:
SPF (Sender Policy Framework): A TXT record that lists all the servers authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. This tells recipients that the email came from a trusted source.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): This record adds a digital signature to your emails. It allows the recipient’s server to verify that the email’s content wasn’t altered in transit and that it truly originated from your domain.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance): This is a policy record that tells a recipient’s server what to do with emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks (e.g., reject, quarantine, or monitor). It also provides you with reports on your email delivery, giving you insight into potential abuse.
More accessible by the link: https://www.inboxroad.com/docs/how-to-verify-your-sending-domain/
How do I add DKIM records if my domain is hosted with AWS Route 53?
In the Record name field, enter only the selector + _domainkey.
Example:
dlvm._domainkey
Do not include your domain name — Route 53 adds it automatically.
How do I add DKIM records if my domain is hosted with Google Domains?
Use the selector + _domainkey as the host name.
Example:
dlvm._domainkey
Google automatically appends your domain, so don’t type the full domain.
How do I add DKIM records if my domain is hosted with HostGator?
Enter the selector + _domainkey in the Name field.
Correct:
dlvm._domainkeyIncorrect:
dlvm._domainkey.yourdomain.com
How do I add DKIM records if my domain is hosted with SiteGround?
Use only the selector and _domainkey.
Example:
Dlvm._domainkey
Do not include your domain name.
How do I add DKIM records if my domain is hosted with Bluehost?
Enter only the selector and _domainkey in the host field.
Example:
dlvm._domainkey
Do not add your domain name — Bluehost will append it automatically.
How do I add DKIM records if my domain is hosted with Cloudflare?
Use only the selector and _domainkey as the hostname.
Correct:
dlvm._domainkey
Incorrect:
dlvm._domainkey.yourdomain.com
How do I add DKIM records if my domain is hosted with TransIP?
Do not include your domain name in the DKIM name field.
Correct:
dlvm._domainkey
Incorrect:
dlvm._domainkey.yourdomain.com
How do I add DKIM records if my domain is hosted with GoDaddy?
Use only the selector and _domainkey as the hostname.
Example:
dlvm._domainkey
GoDaddy automatically appends your domain.
How do I add a DKIM record if my domain is hosted with Hostinger?
When adding a DKIM record in Hostinger, you should only enter the selector with _domainkey as the hostname.
Correct hostname:
dlvm._domainkey
Incorrect hostname:
dlvm._domainkey.yourdomain.com
Hostinger automatically appends your domain name, so including it again will cause the record to be invalid.
How do I add DKIM records if my domain is hosted with Namecheap?
Use only the selector and _domainkey as the hostname.
Example:
dlvm._domainkey
Namecheap automatically appends your domain.
Can I have multiple SPF records for a single domain?
No, you can only have one SPF record per domain.
If you need to authorize multiple services, combine them into a single line.
Example: v=spf1 include:smtp.deliverabilitymanager.net include:_spf.google.com ~all
How do I troubleshoot general DNS issues?
When setting up DNS records like SPF, DKIM, or MX, always make sure that:
You are not including your domain name twice (many providers add it automatically).
DNS changes may take up to 24–48 hours to propagate.
You can only have one SPF record. If you need multiple include statements, they must be combined into a single SPF record line.
Always double-check for typos or extra spaces in hostnames or values.
