Updated Feb 15, 2024
After you connect an email address to Dubsado, Dubsado automatically checks for a DKIM record. Often, DKIM is set up automatically by your email provider. However, if you use a custom email address, you may need to manually set up DKIM yourself with your domain host.
Having a DKIM record with your domain host helps your email provider recognize that any emails sent through Dubsado are legitimate. This improves both email deliverability and security.
In Dubsado, the option to set up DKIM only appears after you’ve already connected an email with SMTP from Settings > Emails. Be sure to do that first!
Set up DKIM
Go to Settings > Emails and scroll down to Email Deliverability to see the option to set up DKIM and SPF.
Setting up a DKIM record involves generating a key in Dubsado, adding that key to your domain host, and verifying that the key is working. The steps below outline how to complete this process.
Step 1: Generate a key in Dubsado
First, you’ll want to create a “key” in Dubsado. The key is how mail servers can verify emails sent from your domain name. Dubsado generates this key for you to give to your domain host, who stores this key as a DKIM record.
To generate a key in Dubsado:
Go to Settings > Emails.
Scroll down to Email Deliverability and expand DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM).
Type in your domain name.
Select a key size. 2048 is more secure and most domain hosts support it. However, you may want to check with your specific domain host.
Click Generate. A TXT record name and TXT record value will populate.
Copy the TXT record name and record value to use in the next step.
Step 2: Create a TXT record with your domain host
After you get your key from Dubsado, the TXT record name and record value will need to be entered with your domain host.
Please keep in mind that each domain host is different and may have different steps in creating a new TXT record! Regardless of your host, you’ll most likely have to find your domain host’s DNS (domain server name) settings page. From this page, look for an option to create a TXT record.
To further assist you, we’ve compiled instructions on how to add an SPF record with common domain hosts. The information below is subject to change, so we recommend going directly to your domain host’s help center.
👋 Here’s a tip… If your domain host isn’t listed, please go directly to your domain host’s help center and search their articles using the keywords “TXT” or “DKIM”.
Add to GoDaddy
To add a DKIM record, go directly to GoDaddy's article or follow our instructions below:
Log into your GoDaddy account.
Click on your profile name > My Products.
In the Domains section, locate your domain and click DNS.
Under the DNS records section, click Add New Record. Additional fields will appear.
In the Type dropdown, select TXT.
In the Name field, type in the TXT record name that Dubsado generated.
In the Value field, type in the TXT record value that Dubsado generated.
In the TTL field, leave it at Default.
Click Save.
Add to Bluehost
To add a DKIM record, go directly to Bluehost’s article or follow our instructions below:
Log into your Bluehost account.
Click Domains > My Domains.
Next to the Manage button for your domain, click on the down arrow > DNS.
Under DNS Manager, scroll down to the TXT section and click Add Record. Additional fields will appear.
In the Host Record field, type in the TXT record name that Dubsado generated.
In the TXT Value field, type in the TXT record value that Dubsado generated.
In the TTL dropdown, select 4 Hours.
Click Save.
Add to Namecheap
To add a DKIM record, go directly to Namecheap's article or follow our instructions below:
Log into your Namecheap account.
From the sidebar, click Domain List.
Next to your domain, click the Manage button.
Click the Advanced DNS tab.
Select the Add New Record button at the bottom. Additional fields will appear.
In the Type dropdown, select TXT.
In the Host field, type in the TXT record name that Dubsado generated.
In the Value field, type in the TXT record value that Dubsado generated.
In the TTL field, leave it at Automatic.
Click Save.
Add to Squarespace
To add a DKIM record, go directly to Squarespace's article or follow our instructions below:
Log into your Squarespace account.
From the sidebar, go to Settings > Domains.
Select your domain.
Next to DNS settings, click Edit.
Under the Custom Records section, click the Add Record button. Additional fields will appear.
In the Host field, type in the TXT record name that Dubsado generated.
In the Type dropdown, select TXT.
In the Data field, type in the TXT record value that Dubsado generated.
Click Save.
Add to Wix
To add a DKIM record, go directly to Wix's article or follow our instructions below:
Log into your Wix account.
Next to your domain, click the ellipses (…) > Manage DNS Records.
Under the TXT (Text) section, click the + Add Record link.
In the Host Name field, type in the TXT record name that Dubsado generated.
In the Value field, type in the TXT record value that Dubsado generated.
In the TTL field, leave it at one hour.
Click Save.
Step 3: Verify your TXT record in Dubsado
After you’ve added the TXT record to your domain host, head back to Dubsado to verify that the connection is working.
To verify your TXT record in Dubsado, go to Settings > Emails. Below the TXT record information, click the Verify button.
If you click verify and receive an error message that says “We could not verify your DKIM record”, then there are two possibilities for this error:
Your domain host hasn’t yet been updated with the new TXT record. There is a waiting period called propagation, where it can take up to 48 hours for the new record to be recognized across the internet. During this waiting period, periodically click Verify in Dubsado until you no longer receive the error message.
There is an issue with the TXT record. If it has been more than 48 hours since you added the new TXT record with your domain host, then please go back to your domain host to ensure that the TXT record is correct. Double-check:
Key size. You may want to create a new record with the other key size. For example, if you tried a key size of 1024, create a record with 2048 instead.
All spelling and capitalization. TXT records are case-sensitive!
Missing or incorrect symbols.
Rotate DKIM keys
DKIM keys are designed to be secure, but they are still published records with your domain host — this means that leaving your DKIM keys unchanged for too long increases exposure to fraud attempts. As a good security practice, we recommend rotating your DKIM keys every six months to reduce the risk of malicious activities.
To rotate the DKIM key, you’ll want to generate a new key in Dubsado first, and then add that new key to your domain host’s DNS settings page:
In Dubsado, go to Settings > Emails.
Scroll down to Email Deliverability and expand DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM).
Click the rotate icon on your generated key. A new DKIM TXT record will appear.
Create a new TXT record with your domain host (step 2 in the section above).
Verify your TXT record in Dubsado (step 3 in the section above).
After the new DKIM key is verified in Dubsado, delete the old TXT record from your domain host’s DNS settings page.
⛔ Heads up! Don’t delete your old DKIM key until after you’ve verified your new key in Dubsado. Temporarily having two DKIM keys with your domain host helps ensure the email connection remains linked while waiting for the new key’s verification.
FAQ
Can I have multiple DKIM TXT records?
Yes. You can have multiple DKIM records within your domain host’s DNS settings page.
I use Google or Microsoft as my email provider. Do I need to set up DKIM?
If you have a Google or Microsoft email without a custom domain, then you don’t need to set up DKIM because your email provider does this automatically!
If you have a Google or Microsoft email with a custom domain, then you will need to set up DKIM. Please note that setting up DKIM is done solely through your Google or Microsoft account.
For further assistance, please see our help articles on connecting with Google and connecting with Microsoft.
What's the difference between an email host and a domain host?
When you have a custom domain for your website (examplewebsite.com), that domain requires a host. You may also have a custom email that you use (hello@examplewebsite.com). This custom email is maintained by your email host. Your email host might be the same as your domain host, but it might also be different. For example, your domain might be hosted by Cloudflare, while your email is hosted through Google.
If I change domain hosts, do I need to update my DKIM record?
Yes. If you move your domain to a new host, you will need to repeat the setup process with your new domain host.
I set this up but my emails are still going to spam.
Although setting up a DKIM record helps reduce emails ending up in spam, spam filters change frequently and it can’t be prevented every time. See our help article for additional tips on keeping your emails out of spam.
Can you make these changes in my domain for me?
Unfortunately, Dubsado isn't able to provide additional support for setup questions specific to your domain host. Please contact your domain host directly for assistance.