How to test which DNS providers append domain to DKIM host for non-technical users?
Summary
What email marketers say12Marketer opinions
Email marketer from MXToolbox shares that their online DKIM record checker not only validates the DKIM record but also shows the exact value of the record being fetched from the DNS server. This helps identify if the domain name is being appended automatically.
Email marketer from Twitter suggests that a user should get help from community forums, as most people have had similar issues and can guide them through the problem.
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that GoDaddy can append the domain and cause issues when users manually add their domain name. Most other DNS providers either append automatically or already have the domain name visible, where users only need to add "__dmarc" or "selector.__domainkey".
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests using the Domain Connect open standard to programmatically add DNS records to a client's domain securely without needing their login details.
Marketer from Email Geeks recommends Domain Connect as the best option for making sender authentication more accessible and foolproof for the average person.
Email marketer from SuperUser forum explains that the user should copy and paste the DKIM record shown by a lookup tool and directly compare it to the value they entered. The visual comparison can immediately identify any appended domain names.
Email marketer from Reddit suggests that a non-technical user contact the DNS provider's support team directly. They can check the DKIM record configuration on their end and confirm whether the domain is being automatically appended, providing accurate guidance.
Email marketer from Namecheap Support answers question by sharing that their users can contact them to check DKIM records. They can review the configurations and ensure the records are set up accurately to avoid domain appending problems.
Email marketer from Neil Patel Digital shares that online DKIM record checker tools can verify if your DKIM record is correctly set up. These tools can highlight if there are any domain appending issues or other errors in your DKIM configuration.
Email marketer from Stackoverflow explains to use online DNS lookup tools, such as `dig` or `nslookup` (available on most operating systems), to query the DNS records and see the raw, uninterpreted values. This allows users to see exactly what the DNS server is returning, confirming if a domain is being appended or not.
Email marketer from DNS Made Easy explains that the user should look at tools that monitor DNS records and alert you to changes. If they see a new record, or a TXT record that has an unrequested value, it can trigger an alert.
Email marketer from DNSQueries.com recommends using the detailed DNS lookup tool on their website. It retrieves and displays all DNS records, including TXT records, and provides additional diagnostic information which simplifies troubleshooting.
What the experts say2Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that a user should use online tools to check the format of the domain key, however they may also ask their ESP if they are setup correctly for their account.
Expert from Spam Resource explains that a non-technical user can verify if their DNS provider is appending the domain name to their DKIM record by first entering their record into the DNS, then using a DNS lookup tool such as those found at SpamResource.com or MXToolbox. This approach allows them to see the value of the TXT record that's actually being published.
What the documentation says5Technical articles
Documentation from Cloudflare explains that if using Cloudflare as your DNS provider, you can log in to your Cloudflare dashboard, navigate to the DNS settings, and check the TXT records for DKIM. The dashboard shows the exact record that Cloudflare is serving, so users can identify if the domain is being appended.
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help explains that when using GoDaddy, you need to be aware that GoDaddy automatically appends the domain name to DKIM records. Therefore, when entering the DKIM record, ensure you don't include the domain name as part of the host record.
Documentation from DigitalOcean explains the `dig` command is a powerful tool to diagnose DNS issues. Using `dig selector._domainkey.yourdomain.com TXT` will show the exact DKIM record being served. Non-technical users can copy the output and share it with someone who can interpret it, or compare it to the record they entered.
Documentation from DKIM.org shares that the selector portion of the DNS name allows the email server to find the correct TXT record containing the public key, so its critical that it's in the right format. It defines the exact structure of how the records should be setup, which assists in any appending issues.
Documentation from RFC 1035, while technical, defines the basic syntax and structure of DNS records. Understanding that domain names are often fully qualified (ending with a dot) can help non-technical users recognize when a domain is unintentionally appended, creating a double domain.