DNS Record Setup for Cold Outreach

by Drake Ballew, Owner-Operator

Below are the basic patterns for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC DNS records for Google Workspace accounts. Note that you'll need to verify all of your domains and subdomain with Google beforehand. All changes will be made in your hosting provider (e.g. Namecheap, GoDaddy, etc), or whichever provider manages your DNS records (e.g. if you use Cloudflare).

For the examples, [subdomain] represents "hey" in hey.pacaya.io, for instance.

SPF

Record type: TXT

Host: [subdomain] Value :v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

Top tip

You can read more about setting up SPF in Google Workspaces here

DKIM

Record type: TXT

Host: google._domainkey.[subdomain] Value: [generated by Google]

Top tip

You will need to generate your own DKIM record and authenticate it.

DMARC

Record type: TXT

Host: _dmarc.[subdomain] Value:v=DMARC1; p=none; sp=none; rua=mailto:johndoe+dmarc-report@yourdomain.com

Top tip

You will want to gradually increase your values for p and sp until they are both set to "reject".

Redirect

Record type: URL Redirect Record

Host: [subdomain] Value: [root domain] Unmasked

That's it! Be sure to check that your records are set up correctly for each domain and subdomain using tools like those from dmarcly. test

More articles

1 + 1 ≠ 3

An update to a common metaphor for describing teams.

Read more

A/B Testing & Shit Sandwiches

A short blog post on a common misconception among startup founders.

Read more

Tell us about your project

Our home

  • San Francisco
    166 Geary St, Suite 1500 #1710
    San Francisco, California 94108