SendPathDocs
Open app
Contents · Set up sending

Set up sending · Updated Oct 8, 2026

Set up your domain (DNS)

In short

Four small records in your domain's settings tell inboxes your mail is really yours. Without them, most cold email lands in spam. Adding them takes about 15 minutes.

SPF

Which servers may send for your domain.

Without it: mail is rejected or lands in spam.

DKIM

The email wasn't changed on the way.

Without it: inboxes trust it less.

DMARC

What to do when SPF or DKIM fail.

Without it: Gmail and Yahoo trust it less.

MX

Where your domain receives mail.

Without it: replies and bounces never arrive.

What each record proves. Click one to jump to it.
Using an @gmail.com, @outlook.com or other free address? Its DNS belongs to Google or Microsoft, so there's nothing for you to add, and Senders doesn't score it.

Where to add records

Records are added at your DNS host: usually where you bought the domain, or Cloudflare if you moved it there. SendPath never changes your DNS; it shows you what to add.

  1. Step 1: On Senders, open a mailbox on the domain. DNS checks shows what's missing and the exact record to add.
  2. Step 2: Sign in to your DNS host and open the domain's DNS settings (see the table below).
  3. Step 3: Add the record: its type, its host (or name) and its value, exactly as shown.
  4. Step 4: Back on the mailbox, click Re-check. Most hosts update within minutes; some take a few hours.
A mailbox's DNS checks: SPF, DMARC and MX pass, DKIM is unknown, with a Re-check button.
A mailbox's DNS checks. 4: Re-check after adding a record.
Cloudflare
Where the records are: Your domain, then DNS, then Records. Click Add record.
GoDaddy
Where the records are: My Products, then your domain's DNS. Click Add New Record.
Namecheap
Where the records are: Domain List, then Manage, then Advanced DNS. Click Add New Record.
Squarespace (was Google Domains)
Where the records are: Domains, then your domain, then DNS, then Custom records.
Anyone else
Where the records are: Look for DNS, DNS records, Zone editor or Advanced DNS.

In the host field, @ means the domain itself. A host that wants the full name takes acme.com instead, and _dmarc becomes _dmarc.acme.com.

SPF: who may send for your domain

One TXT record that lists your email provider. For Google Workspace:

TypeHostValueTXT@v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

For Microsoft 365, the include is include:spf.protection.outlook.com. For any other provider, Senders shows the right one, or ask your provider.

  • A domain must have only one SPF record. If you already have one, add the include to it instead of adding a second record.
  • End it with ~all, never +all.

DKIM: a signature on every email

DKIM is switched on at your email provider, not in SendPath. The provider gives you a record to add, then you tell it to start signing.

  • Google Workspace: Admin console, Gmail, Authenticate email. Generate the record, add it at your DNS host, then click Start authentication. Google's guide.
  • Microsoft 365: the Defender portal, Email authentication settings, DKIM. Add the two CNAME records it shows, then turn on signing. Microsoft's guide.
  • Sending services (Resend, Mailgun and others) show their DKIM records on their domain settings page.

Until a mailbox has sent, Senders may show DKIM as not verified. That's a warning, not a block.

DMARC: what to do with mail that fails

Add this TXT record. It only asks for reports and never blocks your own mail. Gmail and Yahoo expect one.

TypeHostValueTXT_dmarcv=DMARC1; p=none

MX: where your domain receives mail

MX records say which server receives mail for your domain. Without them, replies and bounces never arrive. Your email provider gives you the values. All your MX records must point to one provider: records for two providers split your mail, and part of it disappears.

If something's wrong

I added the record, but Senders still shows it failing.
Wait a few minutes and click Re-check. Check the host field: some DNS hosts add the domain for you, so _dmarc.acme.com typed in full becomes _dmarc.acme.com.acme.com.
Senders says the domain has more than one SPF record.
Keep one SPF record and move every include: from the others into it, then delete the others.
I don't know who my DNS host is.
Look up the domain's nameservers (any 'NS lookup' site shows them). The company they point to is your DNS host.

Was this page helpful?

Related

Connect your mailboxesConnecting the mailboxes you send from, how many you need, and keeping them healthy.Warm-upHow warm-up builds a new mailbox's reputation, how long it takes, and how to read the Warm-up page.Deliverability checklistEverything to check before and while you send, in one list.

Something missing or wrong? Email support@sendpath.ai.