How does Klaviyo handle domain authentication without SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records?
Summary
What email marketers say7Marketer opinions
Email marketer from StackOverflow explains that ESPs (like Klaviyo) may allow sending without strict SPF/DKIM/DMARC initially for ease of use, but it’s not a long-term solution. For sustained deliverability and to avoid being marked as spam, domain authentication setup is essential.
Email marketer from EmailGeeks Forum explains that Klaviyo initially uses shared sending infrastructure, meaning they handle the domain authentication. Over time, it’s best practice to configure your own dedicated sending domain and authentication to improve sender reputation and deliverability. It’s a process that takes time to set up and warm.
Email marketer from Mailjet shares that setting up SPF, DKIM and DMARC email authentication protocols improves email deliverability. Mailjet explains that these protocols authenticate the sender, preventing spoofing and ensuring that the emails arrive safely in recipients' inboxes. Mailjet also shares that setting up these protocols improves sender reputation and increases conversion rates.
Email marketer from Litmus answers that if SPF, DKIM and DMARC records are not implemented, email deliverability will be severely impacted, resulting in lower revenues, poor customer relationships, and ultimately a distrust in email marketing.
Email marketer from Shopify Community explains that Klaviyo can handle initial domain authentication, especially when integrated with Shopify. However, users are encouraged to set up custom authentication to align with their brand. It is advised that the user set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC as soon as is technically possible to avoid any issues.
Email marketer from Reddit shares that when you initially use Klaviyo, they handle authentication using shared domains. This allows you to start sending emails without immediately configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. However, for optimal deliverability and control over your brand reputation, setting up a custom sending domain with proper authentication records is recommended.
Email marketer from GMass answers that email authentication, with SPF, DKIM and DMARC, is important to ensure that emails are delivered and that they are not impersonated by nefarious third parties. GMass explains the steps of setting these up.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that using a custom domain and implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC can improve email deliverability and reputation. Setting up these records correctly helps ISPs and email providers verify the authenticity of your emails, which in turn can increase the likelihood that your messages will reach the inbox.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that the authentication that is passing is likely Klavyio’s domains. Klaviyo will do the authentication if custom authentication isn’t set up. You need to follow their instructions in order to do the custom authentication, it is not as simple as just publishing DNS records.
Expert from Spam Resource shares that the email authentication ecosystem (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC) is designed to improve overall email deliverability and trust by authenticating messages and preventing spam and phishing attacks.
What the documentation says6Technical articles
Documentation from Klaviyo explains that if you use a Klaviyo-managed sending domain, Klaviyo automatically handles SPF and DKIM configuration. You don't need to manually configure these records in your DNS settings. However, custom sending domains require manual setup.
Documentation from SparkPost explains that SPF records specify which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. This helps prevent spammers from forging your domain in the 'From' address. Without an SPF record, your emails are more likely to be flagged as spam.
Documentation from AuthSMTP explains that DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to your outgoing email. This signature verifies that the email was sent from an authorized mail server and that the content hasn't been altered during transit. A valid DKIM signature increases the likelihood that your email will reach the inbox.
Documentation from SendGrid explains that without SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, email service providers will find it difficult to verify the authenticity of the emails sent from a particular domain. Consequently, the emails may not pass authentication checks, and could get flagged as spam, which affects the deliverability of your emails. These records are crucial for building trust and ensuring your emails reach the inbox.
Documentation from Google Workspace explains that DMARC works with SPF and DKIM to provide additional security for your domain by telling receiving mail servers what to do with messages from your domain that fail SPF or DKIM checks.
Documentation from DMARC.org explains that Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance (DMARC) is an email authentication protocol. It is designed to give email domain owners the ability to protect their domain from unauthorized use, commonly known as email spoofing. It explains how to implement DMARC and provides documentation on how to generate a DMARC record.