Does subdomain data roll up to the root domain in Google Postmaster Tools?

Summary

Google Postmaster Tools aggregates data for both domains and subdomains, offering a comprehensive view. While subdomain data contributes to the root domain's overall picture, it is essential to monitor subdomains separately for granular insights. The deliverability and sending reputation of subdomains directly affect the root domain's reputation, especially with shared IPs. Good sending practices, proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and proactive warming up are crucial. Compromised subdomains can severely impact the root domain. Google Postmaster data has a typical delay of approximately two days. Sender reputation affects if email will be allowed, blocked or filtered. Isolate sending reputation per subdomain so there are no issues with the overall reputation.

Key findings

  • Data Aggregation: Google Postmaster Tools aggregates data for domains and subdomains, offering a comprehensive overview.
  • Reputation Influence: Subdomain deliverability and sending practices impact the overall domain reputation.
  • Separate Monitoring: Monitoring subdomains separately is crucial for identifying specific deliverability issues.
  • Authentication Matters: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) on subdomains improves overall deliverability and protects reputation.
  • GPT Delay: Google Postmaster Tools data typically has a two-day delay.

Key considerations

  • Sending Practices: Maintain good sending practices across all subdomains.
  • Subdomain Security: Secure subdomains to prevent spam sending and protect the root domain's reputation.
  • Warming Up: Warm up new subdomains before sending large volumes of email.
  • Proactive Monitoring: Monitor subdomains regularly and address deliverability issues promptly.
  • Account for data delay: Account for the 2 day delay in data reporting to ensure that informed decisions are being made.
  • Isolate sending reputation: Isolate sending reputation per subdomain so there are no issues with the overall reputation.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

The consensus is that subdomain data does, in fact, contribute to the root domain's data within Google Postmaster Tools. While direct roll-up behavior is observed, separate subdomain monitoring remains vital for spotting granular issues and upholding a healthy sending reputation for the entire domain. Factors such as subdomain sending volumes, reputation inheritance, and authentication methods all play crucial roles. Compromised subdomains sending spam can negatively impact the entire domain's reputation.

Key opinions

  • Data Contribution: Subdomain data contributes to the overall data presented for the root domain in Google Postmaster Tools.
  • Reputation Influence: The sending reputation of subdomains can influence the reputation of the root domain.
  • Granular Monitoring: Monitoring subdomains separately is crucial for identifying specific deliverability issues.
  • Authentication Importance: Proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) on all subdomains helps improve overall deliverability and domain reputation.

Key considerations

  • Sending Practices: Maintain consistent and good sending practices across all subdomains to protect the root domain's reputation.
  • Compromised Subdomains: Secure all subdomains to prevent spam sending and avoid negative impact on the overall domain.
  • Warming Up Subdomains: Warm up new subdomains gradually to establish a positive reputation before sending large email volumes.
  • Prompt Issue Resolution: Address deliverability issues on subdomains promptly to prevent them from affecting the root domain.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora shares that the data from subdomains does contribute to the overall picture presented in Google Postmaster Tools for the main domain. Actively monitoring both the main domain and subdomains will provide the best overview.

August 2024 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailOnAcid Community Forum shares that generally, the reputation of subdomains can influence the overall reputation of the root domain in Google Postmaster Tools. The extent of the influence depends on factors like sending volume and consistency across subdomains.

January 2024 - EmailOnAcid Community Forum
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests some data should appear relatively soon after adding a subdomain to Google Postmaster Tools, but it is best to prepare clients for a few days delay, and then deliver sooner if it is available.

December 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms that to see subdomain-specific data, you need to add that specific domain in Google Postmaster Tools.

October 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet Community Forum responds that although data rolls up, monitoring subdomains separately within Google Postmaster Tools is crucial for identifying specific problem areas and maintaining a healthy sending reputation for the entire domain.

June 2021 - Mailjet Community Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus says that proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for all subdomains. This helps establish trust with mailbox providers and ensures that your emails are delivered to the inbox, thus supporting the overall domain reputation.

May 2024 - Litmus Community
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that subdomains often inherit some reputation from the root domain, but it’s not a complete roll-up. Maintaining good sending practices across all subdomains is vital to protect the root domain's reputation.

August 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests that subdomain data rolls up into the root domain in Google Postmaster Tools, especially based on observed behavior before and after adding a subdomain.

April 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from DigitalMarketer explains the importance of warming up new subdomains before sending large volumes of email. This helps establish a positive reputation and prevents deliverability issues that could affect the root domain.

July 2022 - DigitalMarketer
Marketer view

Email marketer from ReturnPath explains that Consistent sending practices and monitoring of email metrics for all subdomains are crucial. Address deliverability issues promptly to prevent any negative impact on the root domain's overall standing in Google Postmaster Tools.

July 2023 - ReturnPath Forums
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that if you set up the root domain with GPT in DNS and add the root domain to your GPT, you can add any subdomain of that root/org domain, and it will display data.

November 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow warns that a compromised subdomain sending spam can severely impact the entire domain's reputation in Google Postmaster Tools, making it critical to secure all subdomains.

February 2025 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that once the top-level domain has a DNS authentication record, you typically don't need another one for the subdomain. You can just add the subdomain, and its data should appear.

February 2025 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

The data presented in Google Postmaster Tools for subdomains can impact the overall domain reputation. Deliverability issues on subdomains, particularly with shared IPs, can negatively affect the root domain. Google Postmaster Tools data also has a delay of approximately two days.

Key opinions

  • GPT Data Delay: Google Postmaster Tools data has a typical delay of about two days.
  • Subdomain Impact: Subdomain deliverability affects overall domain reputation.
  • Reputation Isolation: It's important to isolate sending reputation per subdomain.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Subdomains: Regularly monitor the sending practices and deliverability of subdomains.
  • Address Poor Practices: Address any poor sending practices on subdomains to avoid impacting the root domain.
  • Isolate Subdomain Reputation: Implement measures to isolate the sending reputation of each subdomain.
  • Account for data delay: Account for the 2 day delay in data reporting to ensure that informed decisions are being made.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks says that Google Postmaster Tools data is typically 2 days behind the current date, and it'll take a couple of days before you see anything show, assuming you meet the other criteria like minimum volume, DKIM, and Domain verification.

December 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise details how subdomains used for sending can impact a domain's overall reputation, especially if the IP address is shared. It's more important to isolate sending reputation per subdomain so there are no issues with the overall reputation.

February 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that the deliverability of your subdomains can affect your overall domain reputation, as monitored by Google Postmaster Tools. Poor sending practices on a subdomain can negatively impact the deliverability of emails sent from your root domain.

October 2021 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Google Postmaster Tools aggregates data for both domains and subdomains, providing a comprehensive overview of performance at the domain level. While subdomains can aid in isolating reputation issues, Google Postmaster Tools often prioritizes the overall domain reputation. Poor subdomain performance can negatively impact the root domain's deliverability. Sender reputation is a calculated value used to determine the quality of email servers. SPF records are crucial for specifying authorized mail servers and preventing email spoofing, contributing to domain health. Implementing DMARC on both the root domain and subdomains enhances protection against email spoofing and improves deliverability, positively impacting overall reputation.

Key findings

  • Data Aggregation: Google Postmaster Tools aggregates data for domains and their subdomains.
  • Overall Reputation: Google Postmaster Tools often treats overall domain reputation as a primary factor.
  • SPF Importance: SPF records are crucial for specifying authorized mail servers and preventing email spoofing.
  • DMARC Implementation: Implementing DMARC enhances protection against email spoofing and improves deliverability.
  • Sender Reputation: Sender reputation is a calculated value to determine quality of email servers.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Subdomain Performance: Monitor subdomain performance to prevent negative impacts on the root domain's deliverability.
  • Implement SPF: Implement SPF records to authorize mail servers and prevent email spoofing.
  • Implement DMARC: Implement DMARC on both root domains and subdomains to enhance protection against email spoofing and improve deliverability.
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that Sender reputation is the calculated value that Microsoft uses to determine the quality of sending email servers. This value is used to decide whether to allow email, block it, or filter it.

November 2024 - Microsoft Support
Technical article

Documentation from Google Support explains that Google Postmaster Tools aggregates data for domains and subdomains. It clarifies that data shown at the domain level includes the performance of all subdomains associated with that domain, providing a comprehensive overview.

September 2021 - Google Support
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost explains that while subdomains can help isolate reputation issues, Google Postmaster Tools often treats the overall domain reputation as a primary factor. Poor performance on a subdomain can still negatively affect the root domain's deliverability over time.

October 2022 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org explains that implementing DMARC on your root domain and subdomains provides enhanced protection against email spoofing and phishing attacks. This not only protects your brand but also ensures better deliverability rates, positively impacting domain reputation.

November 2024 - DMARC.org
Technical article

Documentation from RFC says SPF records are published in DNS for the domain, and they specify which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. SPF records help prevent email spoofing and improve deliverability, contributing to overall domain health.

April 2022 - RFC