SPF(supported)
DKIM(recommended)
This article covers the SPF and DKIM authentication processes for Flowmailer and how they are managed in Valimail. While only one of the two authentication methods is required for an email to pass DMARC, our recommendation is to configure both whenever possible.
Configuring DKIM authentication for your Flowmailer emails
Check the current status of your Sender domain(s)
You will find your current Sender domain(s) in the navigation under Setup -> Domains. Click on the Sender domain you want to check. You see the following screen:
Option 1: all DNS records and the DMARC record show status OK ✔️
Do you see four green check marks? You don't have to do anything, your sender domain is set up correctly. Please note: this only applies to this sender domain. If you use multiple sender domains or subdomains, check these too.
Option 2: There are one or more records with the status not OK yet ❌ or No DMARC Record Found
Do you see one of the icons above in the essential DNS records or the DMARC record? In that case, action is required. These statuses show that the DNS records have not yet been set up correctly.
Do you have red crosses in one of the 3 CNAMES in this overview? Please follow the steps to make sure your DKIM is valid.
Do you have a red cross or a yellow checkmark in the DMARC record section? Please follow the steps to make sure your DMARC is valid.
Make sure your DKIM is valid
The red crosses show that the DNS records have not yet been set up. You see 3 CNAMES in this overview. The first is for bounce handling and open/click tracking and the second and third are for DKIM. The DNS records shown must be added to this domain. Adjust this or contact your system administrator to do so.
Make sure your DMARC is valid
The red cross shows that there is ❌ no valid DMARC record for this Sender domain. You have to set up DMARC on your own DNS server. Adjust this or contact your system administrator to do so.
Do you have a yellow check mark with the status
Aggregate report tag (rua) does not contain Flowmailer report address? This is sufficient, but we do advise you to supplement your DMARC record. Set the record in such a way that the DMARC feedback is shared with Flowmailer, so you can use the our DMARC report functionality. You will find the DMARC reports in the navigation under Report > DMARC.
The DMARC record shown is an example, please read the article How to format a DMARC record for more information.
Check if the status of your Sender domain changed
After you or your system administration changed the DNS records, please return the Sender Domain details for that specific domain in the navigation under Setup > Domains. You are done when 4 green checkmarks are shown: that means all essential DNS records and the DMARC record are set up correctly.
Have you set everything correctly, but nothing changed? Please check this again later. It can take up to 24 hours to read the records. In most cases we see that this is implemented more quickly.
Important Note: If you manage you domain in Valimail, you will need to add the DKIM key/s on your domain's configuration page in the Valimail platform and add any additional records in yoru DNS.
Please note: This only applies to this specific sender domain. If you use multiple sender domains or subdomains, check these too. You have to repeat these steps for each Sender domain you want to use in Flowmailer.
You can also find the instructions on how to set up DKIM and SPF for Flowmailer, here.
Add a Flowmailer DKIM key in Valimail
You can find more detailed information on how to add a DKIM key in Valimail, here:
Configuring SPF authentication for your Flowmailer emails
Once you establish that Flowmailer is an authorized sender for your domain, you will need to add the service in your Enabled Senders.
You will find more detailed information on how to add a service for your domain in Valimail, here:
Note: We encourage you to use the comment section for any useful information about your sending service, such as the name of the service owner, change request ticket numbers, etc.