How to remove the 'via' message in Gmail when sending from a subdomain?
Summary
What email marketers say11Marketer opinions
Email marketer from MailPoet shares that one of the best practices is to configure SPF and DKIM correctly so that Gmail recognizes that you have authorized the sending source. If you're using a subdomain for sending, ensure that the SPF and DKIM records cover the subdomain.
Email marketer from Webmasters StackExchange explains that the 'via' tag appears when the sending server isn't directly associated with your domain. Authenticate your email with SPF and DKIM records to verify your domain and remove the tag.
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that aligning at the Return-Path level (SPF alignment) without DKIM alignment can also remove the "via" message.
Email marketer from Litmus explains that If your email isn’t properly authenticated, and the “envelope from” domain (also known as the “Return-Path”) doesn’t match the domain in the “From” header, Gmail will add a “via” tag to your emails. Ensuring that the “From” domain and Return-Path match—and that your email authentication is properly configured—will prevent the “via” tag from showing. This applies to subdomains also.
Email marketer from SendPulse explains that to remove via Tag you need to: Set up SPF record. This is an email authentication method that specifies which mail servers are allowed to send emails on behalf of your domain. You have to create a DKIM signature. Use the DMARC protocol. Ask the email service to use your domain for sending email.
Email marketer from StackOverflow shares that you need to align your SPF and DKIM records. Make sure the domain used to send the email matches the domain in your 'From' address to avoid the 'via' tag.
Email marketer from Reddit explains that to get rid of the 'via' tag in Gmail, you need to set up SPF and DKIM records for your sending domain. If you're sending from a subdomain, make sure the SPF and DKIM records are set up correctly for the subdomain as well.
Email marketer from SparkPost explains that Gmail is increasingly focused on the reputation of the sending domain as part of the overall email authentication and spam scoring process. To remove the “via” tag, the sending domain’s authentication needs to be aligned. This means ensuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC protocols are properly configured. This is also applicable if you are sending with a subdomain.
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that to remove the "via" message in Gmail, the 5321.From (return-path) should use the same domain as the 5322.From.
Email marketer from GMass explains that the dreaded “via” label in Gmail is often the result of not properly authenticating your email. Gmail is telling its users that the email didn’t actually originate from the domain it claims to be from. Correct SPF and DKIM records will fix this problem. Also you must have a DMARC record.
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that signing the DKIM domain with the same key as the return-path domain can solve the "via XXXX" problem, even if there's a difference in 5321 vs 5322 domains.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that Gmail adds the 'via' because the message is sent by a server that isn't clearly authorized to send for the domain in the From: header. SPF and DKIM, especially DKIM alignment, are key to removing it.
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that Gmail shows the "via" when the message is not fully authenticated. To remove it, the sending domain must authenticate correctly, aligning the envelope from (return-path) and the header from.
Expert from Email Geeks shares it's been that way since 2011 / 2012. You sign with either your own d= or use a custom SPF domain and the via goes away
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Mailjet explains that The “via” tag is displayed when there is a mismatch between the domain specified in the “From” address and the actual sending domain. Ensure that your sending domain is properly authenticated with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records and that the Return-Path matches the From domain.
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help explains that to prevent the 'via' message, ensure your messages are authenticated using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Consistent authentication helps Gmail identify legitimate messages from your domain.
Documentation from RFC-Editor clarifies that: The Return-path, also known as the envelope sender or 5321.MailFrom address, is the email address to which bounce messages are sent. The From address, also known as the 5322.From address, is the email address displayed to the recipient as the sender of the email.
Documentation from EasyDMARC explains that Gmail shows the ‘via’ tag when the domain in the ‘From’ header doesn’t match the domain that actually sent the email. Implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, especially DMARC alignment, is key to removing the tag.