How to find DKIM record without selector?

Summary

Finding a DKIM record without the selector is extremely challenging. The selector differentiates multiple DKIM keys for a domain and is essential to locate the correct public key in DNS. The primary method to find the selector involves inspecting email headers, specifically the DKIM-Signature ('s=' parameter). Some experts suggest tools (like xnnd.com) for guessing, while others recommend checking your email service provider (ESP) settings. However, lacking the selector significantly hinders DKIM record retrieval. While domains can have multiple DKIM keys, using too many is discouraged as they may conflict. Authentication should focus on the 'mailfrom' address and not just the header from address. Essentially, without that selector, direct retrieval via DNS is impossible.

Key findings

  • Selector Critical: DKIM selector is crucial for locating the correct DKIM record.
  • Header Inspection: DKIM-Signature header ('s=') is the primary source for identifying the selector.
  • Limited Options: Finding the DKIM record without the selector is exceedingly difficult to impossible.
  • Domain Control: If you control the domain, check ESP settings for DKIM configuration.
  • Key Management: Having more than one DKIM key may cause conflicts, hence it should be avoided.

Key considerations

  • Access to Emails: Header inspection requires access to emails from the target domain.
  • Guessing Unreliable: Guessing selectors is not reliable and may not yield the correct key.
  • Configuration Accuracy: Ensure the DKIM configuration is checked at the email service provider and has been accurately entered into DNS settings.
  • Mailfrom importance: Pay attention to authentication settings in relation to mailfrom

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

Finding a DKIM record without knowing the selector is challenging. The selector is essential for locating the correct public key in DNS. The recommended approach involves inspecting email headers (specifically the DKIM-Signature header, looking for 's=') of emails originating from the domain in question. If you control the domain, check your email service provider's DKIM settings. Guessing selectors (e.g., 'google', 's1', 'default') is sometimes possible, but not reliable. Tools and MX lookups might indirectly help but still generally require the selector. Ultimately, the DKIM selector differentiates between multiple DKIM keys for a single domain, so without it, identifying the correct DNS TXT record becomes very difficult.

Key opinions

  • Selector Importance: The DKIM selector is crucial for finding the correct DKIM record in DNS.
  • Header Inspection: The DKIM-Signature header in email headers reveals the selector ('s=').
  • Limited Options: Without the selector, finding the DKIM record is exceedingly difficult.
  • ESP Settings: If you control the sending domain, check your ESP's DKIM settings.

Key considerations

  • Email Access: You need access to emails from the domain in question to inspect headers.
  • Selector Guessing: Guessing the selector is unreliable but might be attempted as a last resort.
  • DKIM rotation: Consider that selector rotation is possible for security purposes.
  • Multiple Keys: DKIM selectors allow for multiple keys, increasing complexity if unknown.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailhardener states that DKIM selectors let you publish multiple DKIM keys for different purposes, senders, or servers using the same domain. Finding the public DKIM key without knowing the selector is going to be nearly impossible because it can't be queried.

October 2021 - Mailhardener
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailSecuritySPF shares that DKIM selectors help to differentiate between multiple DKIM keys and records, if the selector isn't known then you're unable to identify the corresponding TXT record in DNS.

January 2024 - EmailSecuritySPF
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stackoverflow states that if you don't have the selector, it's almost impossible to find the DKIM record. You would need to guess the selector, which is usually something descriptive like 'google', 's1', or 'default'.

June 2021 - Stackoverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Spamresource shares to identify the DKIM selector you will need to review email headers of emails that have been signed by that domain. Look for the DKIM-Signature.

August 2023 - Spamresource
Marketer view

Email marketer from Web Hosting Talk suggests to check with your ESP as some will make it available on the user interface. Otherwise checking mail headers for a DKIM signature is required.

June 2023 - Web Hosting Talk
Marketer view

Email marketer from EasyDMARC suggests using their DKIM record lookup tool, but states that you need to know the selector to use it.

September 2022 - EasyDMARC
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares the selector will be within the email header and called 's='. The email header parameter will be called DKIM-Signature

January 2025 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares additional tips, including performing MX Lookup to detect the domain and perform DKIM Lookup accordingly. Also shares to use EasyDMARC domain scanner which performs DKIM Lookup with selectors in their DB.

September 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains you need the selector and the signing domain to find the public key and you can find the selector in the DKIM-Signature header of an email from the source.

November 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from MXToolbox explains that a DKIM selector is required to perform a DKIM lookup. Try to find the selector used by the sending server by looking at the email headers of a message sent from that domain. View source of an email and then look for DKIM-Signature.

June 2022 - MXToolbox
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that DKIM records are located in the DNS settings of your domain, you will need to access your domain's DNS records through your DNS provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Namecheap, etc.).

January 2025 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Valimail shares that finding a DKIM record without knowing the selector is difficult. They suggest that if you control the sending domain, check the DKIM settings in your email service provider's control panel. If you don't control the domain, try to find the selector used by the sending server by looking at the email headers of a message sent from that domain.

October 2024 - Valimail
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that you have to have the exact selector to perform a DNS TXT record lookup. For example: If s=emailgeeks and d=example.com then the DNS TXT record to lookup is emailgeeks._domainkey.example.com. The selector is required to complete the DNS lookup.

March 2023 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Experts suggest either guessing the DKIM selector using tools like xnnd.com or examining email headers for the DKIM-Signature to identify it. Additionally, it's advised to avoid using multiple DKIM keys, as it can lead to conflicts. When checking email authentication, use the mailfrom address rather than just the header from address.

Key opinions

  • Selector Guessing: Tools like xnnd.com can be used to guess the DKIM selector.
  • Header Analysis: Reviewing email headers for the DKIM-Signature is crucial for identifying the DKIM selector.
  • Avoid Multiple Keys: Using multiple DKIM keys can cause conflicts and is generally not recommended.
  • Mailfrom Authentication: When checking email authentication, use the mailfrom address.

Key considerations

  • Effectiveness of Guessing: Guessing tools might not always be accurate in identifying the correct selector.
  • Header Interpretation: Correctly interpreting email headers requires technical knowledge.
  • Key Management: Properly managing DKIM keys is important to avoid conflicts and ensure email deliverability.
  • Authentication Scope: Ensuring proper authentication checks across all email sources is essential for avoiding spoofing.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains to check authentication you need to use mailfrom, and not just the header from.

April 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that having multiple DKIM keys is not a good idea and it is better to not do this, if you do then one signing key will clobber the other signing key.

August 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource shares to identify the DKIM selector you will need to review email headers of emails that have been signed by that domain. Look for the DKIM-Signature.

July 2022 - Spamresource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that you may be able to guess the selector using xnnd.com.

September 2022 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Documentation indicates that the DKIM selector is a string that distinguishes multiple DKIM keys for a single domain, enabling key rotation and different keys for various services. It is essential for locating the correct public key, stored as a TXT record in DNS following the format [selector]._domainkey.example.com. Without the selector, querying for the correct DKIM record and verification is impossible.

Key findings

  • Selector Purpose: DKIM selector distinguishes multiple DKIM keys for a domain.
  • Key Rotation: Selectors facilitate key rotation and service-specific keys.
  • DNS Storage: DKIM records are stored as TXT records in DNS.
  • Selector Necessity: Without the selector, the correct DKIM record cannot be located or verified.

Key considerations

  • Record Naming: The DNS record name includes the selector.
  • Multiple Keys: Domains can use multiple DKIM keys, each with a unique selector.
  • Verification Impact: Missing selector prevents verification of signed emails.
  • Complexity: Managing multiple DKIM keys and selectors increases complexity.
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC Analyzer explains that a DKIM selector is used to publish multiple DKIM keys for a single domain. This allows a domain to rotate keys more easily and use different keys for different services or subdomains. Without the selector, it's not possible to query for the correct DKIM record.

October 2024 - DMARC Analyzer
Technical article

Documentation from RFC6376 (DKIM standard) explains that the selector is a string used to locate the correct public key. A domain can publish multiple DKIM keys, and the selector indicates which key was used to sign a particular message. Without the selector, the receiving server cannot determine which key to use for verification.

September 2024 - RFC6376
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help explains that the DKIM selector is a string that distinguishes multiple DKIM keys for a single domain. It's a name you give to your DKIM key, and it can be anything you want, but it must be unique.

December 2024 - Google Workspace Admin Help
Technical article

Documentation from Cloudflare explains DKIM records are stored in DNS as TXT records. The name of the record follows a specific format: [selector]._domainkey.example.com, where [selector] is the DKIM selector and example.com is your domain.

December 2024 - Cloudflare