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Implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for Authors

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byadmin

As an author using our platform, it’s essential to establish a reliable and secure email communication channel with your readers.

To enhance email deliverability and protect your reputation, it’s crucial to set up SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) records for your domain.

Furthermore, Google and Yahoo are requiring these three protocols as of February 1, 2024.

This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring that each author’s domain is correctly configured for optimal email security and efficiency. Before we get started with the technical stuff, please note that you will need your own domain — not a “free” email address like gmail or yahoo. Having your own domain is not free, but it’s usually only $15-20 per year, and there are other reasons why having your own custom domain is important!

To watch a video with Nick Thacker, founder of Author.Email, walking through all of this, just click here!

Why Every Author Needs a Personalized Domain

Before diving into the technical setup, let’s understand why having a personalized domain is vital for authors:

  1. Brand Identity: Your domain is an extension of your personal brand as an author. It helps in building a unique identity in the digital world.
  2. Professionalism: A custom domain conveys professionalism, making your communication with readers and publishers more credible.
  3. Control and Trust: Owning your domain gives you control over your email communications and helps build trust among your readers.

Setting Up SPF

SPF helps to verify that an email sent from your domain is authorized. It reduces the likelihood of your emails being marked as spam.

To set up SPF Records for your domain, please refer to this article.

Implementing DKIM

DKIM adds a digital signature to your emails, ensuring that the content has not been tampered with in transit.

  1. Generating a DKIM Key: Author.Email will generate a unique DKIM key for your domain. Please send us an email at hello@author.email with “DKIM Record” in the subject line, and include your sending email address(es) in the body of the email.
  2. Updating DNS: You’ll need to add this key to your DNS records. It usually involves creating a CNAME record pointing to a DKIM key provided by Author.Email. Please refer to this video walkthrough and guide for how to do that.

Configuring DMARC

DMARC builds on SPF and DKIM, providing instructions to email servers on how to handle emails from your domain that don’t pass authentication checks.

  1. Creating a DMARC Record: Like SPF, DMARC is set up through a TXT record in your DNS settings.
  2. Example: A DMARC record might look like v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc_reports@author.email. This record requests that email servers send reports on DMARC failures but doesn’t enforce email rejection or quarantine. Please refer to this article for how to set up your DMARC policy.

Setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for your domain is a critical step in establishing a secure and professional email presence as an author. By following these steps, you can ensure that your emails reach your readers without being hindered by spam filters or security protocols.

If you need assistance during the setup process, the Author.Email support team is always here to help.

Happy emailing!

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