Introduction
Proper email authentication is critical for improving email deliverability and maintaining your brand’s sender reputation. Setting up DMARC, SPF, and DKIM for Klaviyo email authentication ensures your emails are trusted by email service providers (ESPs) and prevents your messages from being marked as spam. This guide will provide a step-by-step approach to configuring these authentication protocols in Klaviyo, along with best practices to enhance your email marketing strategy.
How Do I Set Up DMARC, SPF, and DKIM for Klaviyo?
To set up DMARC, SPF, and DKIM for Klaviyo, you need to configure DNS records within your domain hosting provider and validate these settings in Klaviyo. This process involves generating domain-specific records in Klaviyo, adding them to your DNS, and testing to ensure they are set up correctly.
Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Klaviyo Email Authentication
1. Log in to Your Klaviyo Account
Visit www.klaviyo.com and enter your credentials to access the dashboard.
2. Navigate to Domain Authentication Settings
Go to Account > Settings > Domains and Hosting.
Click Add Domain to begin the authentication setup.
3. Set Up SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
a. Generate SPF Record in Klaviyo
Klaviyo will generate an SPF record in the format:
plaintextCopyEdit
v=spf1 include:klaviyo.com ~all
b. Add SPF Record to Your DNS
Log in to your domain provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Cloudflare).
Navigate to the DNS Management section.
Add a new TXT Record with the following details:
Type: TXT
Name/Host: @
Value: v=spf1 include:klaviyo.com ~all
TTL: Set to Auto or 3600 seconds (1 hour).
c. Verify SPF Record in Klaviyo
Return to Klaviyo and click Verify SPF.
The status will update to Verified once the DNS propagation is complete (can take up to 24 hours).
4. Set Up DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
a. Generate DKIM Keys in Klaviyo
Klaviyo will provide two DKIM CNAME records.
Example:
Host/Name: klaviyo1._domainkey
Value: dkim.klaviyo.com
b. Add DKIM Records to Your DNS
In your domain provider’s DNS settings, add two CNAME Records with the provided values.
Ensure the TTL is set to Auto or 3600 seconds.
c. Verify DKIM in Klaviyo
Return to Klaviyo and click Verify DKIM.
Successful verification enhances your email security and deliverability.
5. Set Up DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance)
a. Create a DMARC Record
DMARC records are typically in the TXT Record format:
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v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:your-email@domain.com; ruf=mailto:your-email@domain.com; fo=1
p=none: Only monitors and reports without enforcement. Change to p=quarantine or p=reject for stricter policies.
rua: Email address for receiving aggregate reports.
ruf: Email address for forensic reports.
b. Add DMARC Record to Your DNS
Navigate to DNS Management in your domain provider.
Add a TXT Record with:
Type: TXT
Name/Host: _dmarc
Value: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:your-email@domain.com;
TTL: Auto or 3600 seconds.
c. Verify DMARC Setup
Use tools like MxToolBox, DMARC Analyzer, or Google Postmaster Tools to test your DMARC record.
Best Practices for Klaviyo Email Authentication
1. Start with a Monitoring DMARC Policy
Set p=none initially to gather data on your email performance without enforcing strict policies.
2. Gradually Move to a Stricter Policy
Once confident in your email authentication setup, switch to p=quarantine or p=reject to block spoofed emails.
3. Regularly Monitor Reports
Analyze DMARC Reports to identify and address any authentication issues.
4. Combine with Engagement-Based Sending
Use Klaviyo’s Segmentation to send emails only to engaged subscribers, enhancing deliverability.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Up Email Authentication
Incorrect DNS Entries: Double-check all DNS record values and formats.
Forgetting to Verify in Klaviyo: Always click Verify in Klaviyo after updating DNS records.
Setting a Strict DMARC Policy Too Early: Avoid using p=reject without testing, as this can lead to legitimate emails being blocked.
Conclusion
Setting up DMARC, SPF, and DKIM for Klaviyo email authentication is a critical step for ensuring your emails reach subscribers' inboxes securely. Proper authentication enhances deliverability, protects your sender reputation, and builds trust with your audience. By following the steps and best practices outlined in this guide, you can effectively optimize your Klaviyo email campaigns.
📩 If your email program is underperforming and you’re unsure how to optimize your email authentication, let’s talk.
At Dispatch, we help brands maximize revenue from email & SMS without damaging subscriber engagement.
👉 Connect with Dispatch today to optimize your email marketing strategy.
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