How does domain reputation work with subdomains and FQDNs in email sending?

Summary

Domain reputation in email sending is multifaceted, applying to both the primary domain and its subdomains (FQDNs). Subdomains offer a way to segment email traffic and protect the primary domain's reputation by isolating issues. While most of the time reputation follows the full domain, the sending reputation of a subdomain can influence the overall domain reputation, both positively and negatively. Consistent sending practices, good engagement metrics, and proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) across all domains and subdomains are crucial. ISPs may discard reputation information for low-volume subdomains. Newer subdomains require careful warm-up and continuous monitoring through feedback loops. DMARC policies applied to a domain also extend to its subdomains. Using subdomains strategically helps to control and manage your overall sending reputation.

Key findings

  • FQDN Reputation: Reputation is associated with the Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN), encompassing both domain and subdomains.
  • Reputation Influence: Subdomain sending practices can impact the overall domain reputation.
  • Subdomain Segmentation: Subdomains can segment email traffic and isolate reputation risks.
  • Authentication Importance: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential across all sending domains.
  • ISPs and Volume: ISPs may not track or value reputation for very low-volume subdomains.
  • DMARC Policy: DMARC policies on the parent domain apply to subdomains as well.
  • Reputation flow: Reputation flows up and down from subdomains to parent domain and vice versa

Key considerations

  • Strategic Subdomain Use: Carefully plan your subdomain structure and usage to maximize reputation benefits.
  • Consistent Practices: Maintain consistent and positive sending practices across all subdomains and the main domain.
  • Email Authentication: Implement and maintain proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
  • Domain Warm-up: Warm up new subdomains gradually to build a good sending reputation.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Monitor your domain and subdomain reputation using feedback loops and other tools.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

Domain reputation in email sending is influenced by factors at both the domain and subdomain level. Subdomains can be used to segment email traffic, isolating reputation issues and protecting the main domain's reputation. However, ISPs may discard reputation data for low-volume subdomains. Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for all domains and subdomains, and consistent sending practices with good engagement metrics contribute to a positive overall brand reputation. Newer subdomains require careful warm-up. Monitoring reputation through feedback loops is essential, especially when on shared IP addresses.

Key opinions

  • Subdomain Segmentation: Using subdomains to separate email types (e.g., transactional vs. marketing) helps isolate reputation problems.
  • ISPs and Volume: ISPs might ignore reputation data from subdomains with low sending volumes.
  • Shared IP Impact: Shared IP addresses mean your reputation is partly determined by other users on the same IP.
  • Authentication is Key: Proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for all domains and subdomains.
  • Brand Reputation: Consistent sending practices and engagement contribute to overall brand reputation.
  • Domain Reputation Flow: Reputation flows up and down and can affect subdomains and parent domains

Key considerations

  • Warm-up: Newer subdomains need a gradual warm-up period to establish a positive reputation.
  • Monitoring: Implement feedback loops to actively monitor domain and subdomain reputation.
  • Engagement Metrics: Monitor engagement metrics (opens, clicks, complaints) to assess and improve reputation.
  • Domain and Subdomain Strategy: Carefully plan how you are using domains and subdomains to control reputation flow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that ISPs may also throw away reputation information for subdomains that don't meet minimum volume thresholds.

December 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus emphasizes the importance of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for all sending domains and subdomains. Correctly configured authentication helps ISPs verify your identity and improves deliverability.

November 2022 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid states that isolating sending domains, using subdomains or dedicated domains, can help protect your main sending domain's reputation. This is especially useful for separating different types of email traffic.

September 2021 - SendGrid
Marketer view

Email marketer from ActiveCampaign highlights that consistent sending practices and engagement metrics across your domain and subdomains contribute to your overall brand reputation. Monitoring these metrics is crucial.

May 2021 - ActiveCampaign
Marketer view

Email marketer from GMass shares that newer subdomains may have lower initial reputations than established domains. It's crucial to warm up new subdomains gradually and monitor deliverability closely.

December 2023 - GMass
Marketer view

Email marketer from Hubspot suggests implementing feedback loops to proactively monitor your domain and subdomain reputation. This allows you to identify and address deliverability issues quickly.

October 2022 - Hubspot
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that everything gets a reputation, and every iteration does. They have seen reputation vary between subdomains on the DKIM.

January 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that when using shared IP addresses, your sending reputation is influenced by the sending practices of other users on the same IP. Subdomains can offer some isolation, but the IP reputation remains a factor.

March 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that subdomains are useful for segmenting email traffic. For example, using a subdomain for transactional emails and another for marketing campaigns helps isolate reputation issues.

June 2023 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that using a subdomain of the org domain seems to buffer the org domains rep unless the subdomain is really going hard in the paint bad emailing.

April 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange describes that using a dedicated subdomain for transactional emails and another for marketing emails lets you separate potential reputation damage caused by marketing campaigns from critical transactional messages.

June 2022 - StackExchange

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Domain reputation is complex, applying to both the entire domain and individual subdomains (FQDNs). While reputation is generally tied to the full domain, subdomains can have separate reputations, offering isolation for different email campaign types. Sending practices and engagement data across all subdomains influence the overall domain reputation.

Key opinions

  • FQDN Reputation: Reputation applies to the Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN), which includes subdomains.
  • Reputation Flow: Reputation exists at both the parent domain and subdomain level, with influence flowing between them.
  • Subdomain Isolation: Subdomains can have independent reputations, allowing you to isolate different email types (e.g., transactional vs. marketing).
  • Impact on Overall Domain: Sending practices on subdomains contribute to the overall reputation of the primary domain.

Key considerations

  • Strategic Subdomain Use: Use subdomains strategically to separate email types and protect your primary domain's reputation.
  • Consistent Practices: Maintain consistent sending practices and engagement data across all subdomains and the primary domain.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that there is reputation on every FQDN and on the parent domain, and it flows up and down.

August 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that a FQDN's (Fully Qualified Domain Name) reputation is based on the sending practices associated with that specific domain name. They share that consistent sending practices and engagement data across your subdomains and overall domain affect your brand reputation.

May 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that subdomains can have their own reputation separate from the parent domain, and this separation can be useful for isolating the impact of different types of email campaigns (e.g., transactional vs. marketing). They advise using subdomains strategically to protect the main domain's reputation.

July 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that 99.9% of the time, reputation is based on the whole domain, including the subdomain part, also known as the FQDN.

June 2021 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
6Technical articles

Using subdomains in email sending can help protect the primary domain's reputation, although a poor subdomain reputation can negatively impact the overall domain. An FQDN uniquely identifies an internet host. Warming up new IPs and subdomains with gradually increasing sending volume is important. DMARC policies applied to a domain affect subdomains. Separating sending domains by email type isolates reputation risks.

Key findings

  • Subdomain Protection: Subdomains can shield the primary domain from reputation damage.
  • FQDN Definition: FQDNs specify the exact location in the domain name hierarchy.
  • Negative Impact: Poor subdomain reputation can harm the primary domain.
  • Gradual Warm-up: Warming up new IPs and subdomains gradually builds positive reputation.
  • DMARC Impact: DMARC policies affect subdomains.
  • Domain Separation: Isolating email types with subdomains minimizes reputation risks.

Key considerations

  • Careful Monitoring: Monitor all subdomains to prevent negative impact on the primary domain.
  • Proper Warm-up: Implement a gradual warm-up strategy for new subdomains.
  • DMARC Configuration: Understand how DMARC policies interact with subdomains.
  • Strategic Separation: Strategically use subdomains to isolate email types and protect your core domain reputation.
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost mentions that when warming up a new IP address or subdomain, it's important to gradually increase sending volume to build a positive reputation with ISPs. FQDN reputation builds over time based on sending practices.

June 2024 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org shares that DMARC policies applied to a domain can also affect subdomains. Understanding how these policies interact is critical for managing email authentication and reputation.

August 2021 - DMARC.org
Technical article

Documentation from Google explains that using subdomains can help protect your primary domain's reputation. If one subdomain has issues, it's less likely to negatively impact the reputation of your main domain.

February 2023 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor defines a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) as a domain name that specifies its exact location in the domain name hierarchy and ends with a root domain. It provides a unique identification for an internet host.

January 2023 - RFC Editor
Technical article

Documentation from AWS advises users to separate sending domains for different email types to isolate reputation risks. Using dedicated subdomains for marketing or transactional emails can help protect your core domain reputation.

November 2021 - AWS
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that a poor sending reputation on a subdomain can negatively impact the overall domain reputation. They recommend carefully monitoring all subdomains used for sending email.

November 2024 - Microsoft