How do email aliases with different domains affect email deliverability and domain reputation?

Summary

Using email aliases with different domains impacts email deliverability and domain reputation in several key ways. Each domain (including subdomains and aliases) possesses its own reputation, which influences inbox placement. Mailbox providers might not recognize alias domains unless CNAME records are correctly configured. A poor reputation associated with an alias domain can negatively affect the primary domain's deliverability. Proper authentication is crucial; SPF records must include all sending domains, and all domains must have valid SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations. Consistency in sending practices aids filters in assigning accurate reputations. It's important to track and monitor the sender reputation of each domain and subdomain separately, ensuring that one alias doesn't negatively affect others. Finally, proper DMARC policies need to be configured across all domains to prevent spoofing.

Key findings

  • Individual Domain Reputation: Every domain, subdomain, and alias has its own reputation that influences deliverability.
  • Authentication Imperative: Valid SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations are a must for all sending domains and their aliases to authenticate.
  • Negative Reputation Spillover: A bad reputation on any domain alias can hurt deliverability on the primary domain.
  • Inconsistent practices: Filters use consistent practices to track the reputation so changes will effect deliverability
  • CNAME Records: Setting up CNAME records on Domain A's MX, could make the Mailbox Provider aware

Key considerations

  • Consolidated Authentication: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are properly configured for all domains and aliases.
  • Proactive Reputation Management: Continuously monitor the sender reputation of each domain and subdomain to address issues promptly.
  • Consistent sending: Need to be consistent with sending practises to ensure deliverability

What email marketers say
8Marketer opinions

Using email aliases with different domains can significantly impact email deliverability and domain reputation. Mailbox providers may not be aware of the alias domain, potentially causing authentication issues. A poor reputation of the alias domain can negatively affect the primary domain's deliverability. Proper authentication of both the primary and alias domains using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is crucial. Different domain aliases can dilute the sender score if not properly authenticated, necessitating alignment of authentication protocols across all aliases. Aliases with low-reputation domains can cause emails to land in spam folders. DMARC policies must be correctly configured for all domains, including aliases, to prevent spoofing and ensure legitimate emails are delivered. Monitoring the sender reputation of each domain alias separately is essential to prevent negative impacts. Tracking the health of each domain/email is important, as multiple aliases can affect deliverability. Essentially, without proper configuration and monitoring, email aliases with different domains can harm your overall email deliverability and sender reputation.

Key opinions

  • Authentication: Proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for both the primary and alias domains.
  • Reputation Impact: A poor reputation of an alias domain negatively affects the primary domain's deliverability.
  • Sender Score: Different domain aliases can dilute the sender score if not properly authenticated.
  • Spam Placement: Aliases with low-reputation domains can cause emails to land in spam folders.
  • DMARC Configuration: Correctly configured DMARC policies are essential for all domains, including aliases, to prevent spoofing.
  • Mailbox Provider Awareness: Mailbox providers might not be aware of the alias domain, leading to authentication challenges.

Key considerations

  • Domain reputation monitoring: Continuously monitor the sender reputation of each domain alias separately.
  • Domain health tracking: Track the health of each domain/email as multiple aliases can affect deliverability.
  • Authentication Alignment: Align authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) across all aliases.
  • CNAME records: Set up CNAME records on Domain A's MX, this could make the Mailbox Provider aware
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that if an email alias uses a different domain, it is crucial to authenticate emails using both the primary domain and the alias domain. This includes setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for both domains to maintain a good sender reputation.

December 2023 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow shares that DMARC policies need to be correctly configured for all domains, including aliases. A strict DMARC policy on an alias domain can prevent spoofing but also block legitimate emails if not set up properly.

March 2024 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks answers if the email is sent from DomainA but aliases to DomainB, it's unlikely the Mailbox Provider would know DomainB, as the aliasing happens within DomainA's server, unless there's a CNAME on DomainA's MX record pointing to DomainB.

June 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum explains that it is important to monitor the sender reputation of each domain alias separately to ensure that one alias doesn't negatively affect the others. Use tools to track reputation and address issues promptly.

February 2023 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass shares that each domain/email needs to have it's own health tracked as using multiple aliases will only impact this further and may impact deliverability.

December 2024 - Gmass
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that using an alias with a low-reputation domain will negatively impact deliverability, potentially causing emails from your primary domain to land in spam folders.

June 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Neil Patel Digital explains that using an email alias with a different domain can affect your domain reputation. If the alias domain has a poor reputation, it could negatively impact your primary domain's deliverability.

December 2021 - Neil Patel Digital
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendPulse answers that using different domain aliases can dilute your sender score if not properly authenticated. It's recommended to align your domain's authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) across all aliases.

January 2022 - SendPulse

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Email deliverability and domain reputation when using email aliases with different domains are affected by several factors. Each domain and subdomain carries its own reputation, influencing inbox placement. Consistency in sending practices is crucial, as filters assign reputation based on observed behavior. Monitoring the reputation of aliases is essential, as poorly managed aliases can negatively impact overall deliverability.

Key opinions

  • Domain Reputation: Every domain and subdomain has its own reputation, which affects deliverability.
  • Inbox Placement: Inbox placement is complex, but consistency in sending practices helps filters assign the correct reputation.
  • Alias Monitoring: The domain reputation of aliases matters and needs to be monitored regularly.
  • Subdomain reputation: Each subdomain needs its own reputation and should be monitored.

Key considerations

  • Consistency: Maintain consistent sending practices to allow filters to accurately assess reputation.
  • Subdomain Reputation: Make sure to manage each subdomain carefully as they each need their own individual reputation.
  • Reputation Tracking: Regularly monitor the reputation of all aliases to ensure they do not negatively impact deliverability.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that domain reputation of aliases matters and needs to be monitored. If the alias isn't configured properly it may harm your sending reputation.

November 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that subdomains can be used effectively if managed carefully, but each subdomain needs its own reputation. Using too many subdomains, or not monitoring their individual reputations, can negatively impact deliverability.

May 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that inbox placement is a black box. The best advice is to be consistent with your sending practices, changing them infrequently, so filters can assign the correct reputation.

May 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that every domain in an email has a reputation and the mix of SPF, DKIM, and From domain also has a reputation.

May 2024 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

When using email aliases with different domains, it is crucial to ensure proper configuration and monitoring for optimal email deliverability. SPF records must include all sending domains to authorize emails from aliases, and sender reputation should be monitored across each domain, as a poor reputation can impact deliverability for the entire organization. SMTP standards require proper domain verification, necessitating valid SPF and DKIM configurations for all domains and aliases. All domains used for sending need SPF/DKIM/DMARC

Key findings

  • SPF Records: SPF records must include all sending domains, including aliases, to authorize emails.
  • Sender Reputation: It's important to monitor the sender reputation of each domain, as a poor reputation on one can affect all associated domains.
  • Domain Verification: SMTP standards require proper domain verification, so ensure SPF and DKIM are correctly configured for all domains and aliases.
  • Valid SPF/DKIM/DMARC: All domains and aliases MUST have valid SPF/DKIM/DMARC

Key considerations

  • Configuration: Ensure that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are properly configured for each domain alias.
  • Monitoring: Regularly monitor the sender reputation of each domain to quickly identify and address any issues.
  • Compliance: Adhere to SMTP standards by verifying all sending domains, including aliases.
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Learn explains that when sending emails from aliases with different domains, it's important to monitor the sender reputation of each domain. A poor reputation on one domain can affect the deliverability of emails sent from other domains associated with your organization.

February 2024 - Microsoft Learn
Technical article

Documentation from RFC-Editor responds that SMTP standards require proper domain verification for all sending domains, including aliases. Ensure each alias domain is correctly configured to pass SPF and DKIM checks to avoid delivery issues.

May 2023 - RFC-Editor
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help responds that when using email aliases with different domains, ensure your SPF record includes both domains. This helps receiving servers verify that emails sent from the alias domain are authorized by your primary domain.

August 2022 - Google Workspace Admin Help
Technical article

Documentation from AWS explains each domain used for sending MUST have valid SPF/DKIM/DMARC or your emails will not get delivered.

April 2021 - AWS