Overview

To ensure your AuthorLetters emails reach your readers' inboxes reliably, you need to verify your domain by adding specific DNS records. This process authenticates your domain and significantly improves email deliverability.

What you'll need:

  • Access to your domain's DNS settings (through your domain registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.)

  • The DNS records provided by AuthorLetters

  • Approximately 15-30 minutes for setup

Important: DNS changes can take up to 24-48 hours to fully propagate, though they often appear much sooner.

Why These DNS Records Matter

Before diving into the technical steps, here's what these records do:

  • SPF: Tells receiving email servers that your email service provider is authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain

  • DKIM: Adds a digital signature to your emails to verify they haven't been tampered with

  • DMARC: Tells receiving servers what to do with emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks

  • Tracking Domain: Required if you want to track email link clicks and engagement

  • MX Records: You'll need email hosting set up for your domain (AuthorLetters offers this, or you can use your own)

Without these records, your emails are more likely to land in spam folders or be rejected entirely.

Step 1: Access Your DNS Settings

Log in to your domain registrar or DNS provider (where you purchased your domain) and look for a section labeled:

  • DNS Management

  • DNS Settings

  • Domain Management

  • Advanced DNS

  • Name Server Management

Common DNS providers:

  • GoDaddy

  • Namecheap

  • Cloudflare

  • Google Domains

  • Hover

  • Domain.com

  • HostGator

  • Bluehost

If you're unsure who manages your DNS, contact AuthorLetters support for assistance.

Step 2: Add the SPF Record

SPF is critical for making sure your emails reach readers' inboxes rather than their spam folders.

Record Details:

Type:       TXT
Host/Name:  @ (or leave blank, or enter your domain name)
Value:      v=spf1 include:_spf.elasticemail.com ~all
TTL:        3600 (or leave default)

If you already have an SPF record:

Each domain can only have one SPF record. If you're already sending email through another service (like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or Rackspace), you'll just need to update your existing SPF record to include AuthorLetters.

Simply find your existing SPF record and add the email service provider's record to it:

  • Existing Google Workspace: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:_spf.elasticemail.com ~all

  • Existing Microsoft 365: v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:_spf.elasticemail.com ~all

  • Existing Rackspace: v=spf1 include:emailsrvr.com include:_spf.elasticemail.com ~all

The key is to add include:_spf.elasticemail.com before the ~all at the end.

Provider-Specific Tips:

  • GoDaddy/Namecheap: Use @ in the Host field

  • Cloudflare: Leave the Name field blank or use @

  • Some providers: If @ doesn't work, try entering your full domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com)

Step 3: Add the DKIM Record

DKIM adds a digital signature that verifies your emails are authentic and haven't been tampered with.

Record Details:

Type:       TXT
Host/Name:  api._domainkey
Value:      k=rsa;t=s;p=MIGfMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBAQUAA4GNADCBiQKBgQCbmGbQMzYeMvxwtNQoXN0waGYaciuKx8mtMh5czguT4EZlJXuCt6V+l56mmt3t68FEX5JJ0q4ijG71BGoFRkl87uJi7LrQt1ZZmZCvrEII0YO4mp8sDLXC8g1aUAoi8TJgxq2MJqCaMyj5kAm3Fdy2tzftPCV/lbdiJqmBnWKjtwIDAQAB
TTL:        3600 (or leave default)

Some DNS providers may require you to enter the full subdomain: api._domainkey.yourdomain.com – just make sure to copy the entire value exactly as shown, with no line breaks or extra spaces.

Step 4: Add the DMARC Record

DMARC helps you monitor email authentication and tells receiving servers how to handle emails that fail verification. If you already have a DMARC record, just make sure it has a policy (p=) parameter.

Basic DMARC Record:

Type:       TXT
Host/Name:  _dmarc
Value:      v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:your-email@yourdomain.com
TTL:        3600 (or leave default)

Understanding DMARC Policies:

  • p=none - Monitor only

  • p=quarantine - Send suspicious emails to spam

  • p=reject - Reject suspicious emails entirely (recommended)

Don't Forget: Replace your-email@yourdomain.com with an email address where you want to receive DMARC reports (optional - you can remove the rua= portion if you don't need reports).

Step 5: Add the Tracking Record

If you want to track when readers click links in your emails, you'll need to add this record. Without it, click tracking won't work.

Record Details:

Type:       CNAME
Host/Name:  tracking
Value:      api.elasticemail.com
TTL:        3600 (or leave default)

What this does: When readers click links in your emails, they'll first go through tracking.yourdomain.com (which records the click), then redirect to the actual destination. This is how email click tracking works.

Note: If you don't need click tracking analytics, you can skip this record, but most authors find click tracking highly valuable for understanding reader engagement.

Step 6: Add MX Records

To use AuthorLetters, you'll need to have email hosting set up for your domain. This is so you can receive emails at your domain address (like you@yourdomain.com).

What Are MX Records?

MX records tell other mail servers where to deliver emails sent TO your domain—like when readers reply to your newsletters. These work alongside AuthorLetters, which handles sending your emails out.

You're all set if:

  • You already receive email at your domain (e.g., you@yourdomain.com)

  • You use services like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Rackspace, or similar email hosting

  • You can both send and receive emails from your domain address

You'll need to set up email hosting if:

  • You own your domain but haven't configured email yet

  • You have a website but no email service

  • You're not sure whether you have email hosting

How to Check: Visit MXToolbox and enter your domain. If MX records appear in the results, you already have email hosting configured!

Setting Up Email Hosting

If you need email hosting, we've got you covered:

AuthorLetters is glad to offer Rackspace's reliable email hosting for just $25 / year. Contact AuthorLetters support and we'll help you get set up with the MX records you need.

Already have a preferred email provider?

That works too! You can continue using providers like:

  • Google Workspace (formerly G Suite)

  • Microsoft 365

  • Zoho Mail

  • Your domain registrar's email service (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)

Your existing email hosting provider will have already given you MX records, so you're good to go.

A Few Helpful Tips:

  • If you already have email working at your domain, don't change your MX records

  • Not sure about your setup? Just reach out to AuthorLetters support—we're happy to help

  • If you'd like to learn more about our Rackspace email hosting add-on, contact our support team

Step 7: Verify Your DNS Records

Once you've added all the records:

  1. Give it 15-30 minutes for DNS changes to begin propagating

  2. Reach out to AuthorLetters support to verify your domain

  3. We'll check if your DNS records are properly configured

  4. You'll receive confirmation that your domain is verified and ready to go!

Want to Check Your Records Yourself?

You can use these free online tools to verify your DNS records are set up correctly:

Look up TXT records for your domain to see if SPF and DKIM appear correctly.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

"I can't find where to add DNS records"

No worries! Contact your domain registrar's support team. They can guide you to the correct location in your account or even make the changes for you.

"My DNS provider won't accept '@' as the Host"

Try one of these alternatives:

  • Leave the Host field blank

  • Enter your full domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com)

  • Contact your DNS provider's support for guidance

"I'm getting an error about duplicate SPF records"

Each domain can only have one SPF record. Just find your existing SPF record and add include:_spf.elasticemail.com to it rather than creating a new one.

"The records aren't verifying"

Here are a few things to check:

  • Double-check that you copied the values exactly with no extra spaces or line breaks

  • Give it up to 24-48 hours for DNS propagation—sometimes it just takes a bit longer

  • Reach out to AuthorLetters support for assistance—we're here to help!

"I have multiple domains"

You'll need to set up DNS records for each domain you plan to send emails from. Just repeat these steps for each one!

"I already use email hosting (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)"

That's fine! You just need to update your SPF record to include both your email hosting provider and the email service provider. See the SPF section above for examples.

Typical DNS Record Format

Here's what your DNS records should look like in your DNS manager:

Type    | Host/Name        | Value/Points To
--------|------------------|------------------------------------------
TXT     | @                | v=spf1 include:_spf.elasticemail.com ~all
TXT     | api._domainkey   | k=rsa;t=s;p=MIGfMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBA...
TXT     | _dmarc           | v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:you@domain.com
CNAME   | tracking         | api.elasticemail.com
MX      | @                | (provided by your email hosting - AuthorLetters or third-party)

Note: MX records are required and provided by your email hosting service. AuthorLetters offers Rackspace email hosting as a paid add-on, or you can continue using your existing provider like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.

After Setup: What to Expect

  1. Immediate: DNS changes begin propagating (usually 15 minutes to 2 hours)

  2. 24-48 hours: Full DNS propagation worldwide

  3. Verification: AuthorLetters will confirm your domain is verified and enable email sending

Still Need Help?

If you encounter any issues during this process:

  1. Check your DNS provider's documentation for specific instructions

  2. Contact your domain registrar's support for assistance with DNS changes

  3. Contact AuthorLetters support for help with verification or troubleshooting

Tip: Have your domain name ready when contacting support, and let us know which step you're working on so we can help you faster.

Summary Checklist

  • Accessed your domain's DNS settings

  • Added SPF record (or updated existing SPF record)

  • Added DKIM record

  • Added DMARC record

  • Added tracking domain CNAME (required for click tracking)

  • Confirmed you have MX records from your email hosting provider

  • Waited at least 30 minutes for DNS propagation

  • Contacted AuthorLetters to verify your domain

  • Received confirmation that domain is verified

Once these steps are complete, you're all set! Your AuthorLetters emails will have proper authentication and should deliver reliably to your readers' inboxes.