Understanding email authentication protocols:
Why do I need to authenticate my domain?
In a nutshell, if your domain is not authenticated it will lead to several issues, including:
Your emails being marked as spam
You are at higher risk of phishing attacks
Your emails may not even be delivered
There will be a loss of trust in your domain
Giving opportunity to others to spoof or tamper with your emails
Ensuring authentication protocols are in place on your email-sending domains is a non-negotiable now if you want to land in your prospect's inbox!
With the new Gmail and Yahoo updates in 2024, these protocols must be implemented correctly before engaging in any outreach.
What do I need to authenticate?
Yes, techy terms can look daunting, but they are really very simple and easy to understand at a top level. The following protocols will need to be implemented:
SPF - this proves you actually sent the email
DKIM - this confirms your email has not been changed by someone else along its journey
DMARC - tells the recipient what to do if they receive an email that has failed the SPF or DKIM checks. It also provides some reporting, allowing you to monitor any deliverability issues with your legitimate email sending.
How do I authenticate my domain?
Follow the instructions in the links below and you will have everything set up in no time
SPF - link to further instructions
DKIM - link to further instructions
DMARC - link to further instructions
Note: all domains you are using to send emails must be set up correctly before commencing any outreach
Note: Important!
If you are uncertain about how to perform these actions or if you lack access to your hosting website, please contact your IT person or someone who manages your domain.
Where do I check everything is set up correctly?
Luckily, many free tools on the market will check everything is set up correctly for you. Try some of the links below to get you on your way:
Your IT support team should be able to fix any identified issues.