SPF(supported) (dedicated subdomain)
DKIM(recommended)



This article covers the SPF and DKIM authentication processes for Simplelists and how they are managed in Valimail Enforce. While only one of the two authentication methods is required for an email to pass DMARC, our recommendation is to configure both whenever possible.



TABLE OF CONTENTS





Configuring DKIM authentication for your Simplelists emails


Set up your own domain


Setting up your own domain is easy. 

1. Log in to your Simplelists multiple list account, navigate to General Settings in the left-hand menu and select the Domains tab.

2. Enter your domain name and click Add. 

3. In the list that follows, set your domain name as 'primary’. You can then view your new email addresses on the List members page in the left-hand menu.


Configure MX records


Once your domain name is added, you must configure its mail exchange records, using your web hosting control panel. Set the Primary MX record to 'mx1.simplelists.com’ and the Secondary to 'mx2.simplelists.com’.


Make sure your emails are received


There are some simple steps that you can take to improve the deliverability of your emails. SPF records prevent spammers from sending messages with forged email addresses from your domain. DKIM records help to verify the sender and prove that a message has not been altered in transit.


If you are using your own domain, it is recommended that you add both of these DNS records to your domain.

1. When logged into Simplelists with your multiple list account selected, navigate to General Settings -> Domains tab. 

2. Scroll down to find the details you’ll need to add the DNS records. You can then open your web hosting control panel and complete the required fields for the SPF and DKIM records.


Important: If you manage DKIM for your domain in Valimail, you will need to add the TXT DKIM key on your domain's Configuration page in Valimail Enforce



You can also find the instructions on how to set up DKIM and SPF for Simplelists, here.






Add a Simplelists DKIM key in Enforce


1. Go to your domain's Configuration page in Valimail Enforce and publish the newly created DKIM key.


    a. Scroll down and add the DKIM key in your configuration, by clicking on Add a DKIM key. 

    b. Enter the selector name, the DKIM TXT value (the actual value is the entire string after the p= tag), associate the key with Simplelists and then click Add.


Add a dkim key in Enforce


You can find more detailed information on how to add a DKIM key in Valimail Enforce here. 







Configuring SPF authentication for your Simplelists emails


Once you establish that Simplelists is an authorized sender for your domain, you will need to add the service in your Enabled Senders list in Enforce.


1. Please go to your domain's Configuration page in Enforce.

2. Click on the + sign from the Enabled Senders section:



3. Choose Simplelists from the list of configurable senders and then click Enable:


Add service to the authorized list in Valimail


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.






As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to submit a ticket.