Should I use subdomains for outbound email delivery to improve deliverability?

Summary

Experts, marketers, and technical documentation agree that using subdomains for outbound email delivery can improve deliverability by isolating sender reputation and separating different email streams (transactional, marketing). Proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for each subdomain. Avoid sending unsolicited bulk emails, ensure permission for email addresses, warm up new subdomains slowly, and monitor subdomain reputation regularly.

Key findings

  • Reputation Isolation: Subdomains protect primary domain reputation by isolating different email streams.
  • Email Stream Separation: Separating transactional and marketing emails onto different subdomains improves deliverability.
  • Authentication is Key: Proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for each subdomain is crucial.
  • Avoid Spam: Sending unsolicited bulk emails harms reputation and deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Permission & Data: Ensure you have proper permission to use email addresses and that data handling complies with regulations.
  • Warming Up: Slowly warm up new subdomains to build a positive sender reputation.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Monitor subdomain reputation metrics (deliverability, bounce rates, spam complaints) regularly.
  • List Quality: If your list is new or of questionable quality, subdomains are essential

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

Using subdomains for outbound email delivery can improve deliverability by isolating sender reputation. Segmenting email types (transactional, marketing) onto separate subdomains prevents deliverability issues in one area from affecting others. Warming up new subdomains slowly and monitoring their reputation are crucial. Sending unsolicited bulk emails, regardless of the list source, can harm your reputation. Obtaining proper permission for email addresses and adhering to data privacy regulations is essential.

Key opinions

  • Reputation Isolation: Subdomains isolate sender reputation, protecting core domains from marketing campaign issues.
  • Segmentation Benefits: Segmenting email types improves deliverability by maintaining distinct sender reputations.
  • Warming Up: Gradually warming up new subdomains is important to building a positive reputation with ISPs.
  • Email Type and Content: Spam is unsolicited bulk email and should be avoided. To not be spam, email can either be solicited & bulk, or unsolicited & not bulk.

Key considerations

  • Data Acquisition: Avoid sending emails to lists acquired from sources without explicit consent, as this is often considered spam.
  • PII Permission: Ensure you have proper permission to use Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and to send emails to recipients.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Regularly monitor subdomain reputation metrics like deliverability, bounce rates, and spam complaints.
  • Legal Compliance: Be aware of data privacy regulations (like GDPR) and ensure your email practices comply with legal requirements.
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid explains that using subdomains to separate different types of email traffic (transactional vs. marketing) is beneficial. This prevents a poor reputation for marketing emails from affecting transactional emails, which are critical for user experience.

December 2021 - SendGrid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus recommends using subdomains to separate email streams, allowing for better control over sender reputation and minimizing the impact of marketing campaigns on critical transactional emails.

February 2023 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that to not be spam, email can either be solicited & bulk, or unsolicited & not bulk.

October 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Neil Patel highlights that segmenting your email list and using subdomains can significantly improve email deliverability by targeting specific audience segments and preventing your primary domain's reputation from being affected by marketing campaigns.

December 2022 - Neil Patel
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that using a subdomain is a good idea for marketing emails, especially if you are using a new list or are unsure about the quality of your list. That way if the subdomain gets blocked your main domain will not be affected.

September 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that using subdomains can protect your primary domain's reputation. If your marketing emails, for example, get a high spam complaint rate, it won't affect your transactional emails if they are sent from a separate subdomain.

June 2023 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost shares that subdomains allow you to isolate the reputation of different email streams. This means if you have a new marketing campaign with unverified recipients, it won't negatively impact your core transactional email delivery.

August 2024 - SparkPost
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum shares that If you're using a new subdomain, warm it up slowly. Start with low volumes and gradually increase sending to build a positive reputation with ISPs.

April 2024 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that permission to have Personal Identifiable Information (PII) data, and indeed permission to email, is neither transferrable nor inferable.

February 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from ActiveCampaign explains that using subdomains allows you to segment email types, such as transactional, marketing, and newsletters, which helps maintain a cleaner sender reputation for each type of communication.

May 2023 - ActiveCampaign
Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps shares that it's essential to monitor the reputation of your subdomains. Use tools to track deliverability, bounce rates, and spam complaints specific to each subdomain.

March 2023 - GlockApps
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that regardless of how facilitated, sending cold emails from sources like Zoominfo or Apollo is considered 'openly spamming' and will eventually burn your reputation.

December 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from HubSpot notes that using a subdomain for outbound email marketing can protect your primary domain's reputation. If your marketing emails encounter deliverability issues, your transactional emails will remain unaffected.

April 2024 - HubSpot

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

Experts agree that using subdomains for different email streams is generally a good practice for managing reputation and improving deliverability. Setting up proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for each subdomain is crucial to avoid being flagged as spam.

Key opinions

  • Good Practice: Using subdomains for different email streams is a common and generally good practice.
  • Reputation Management: Subdomains help separate email streams and manage reputation, protecting core domain reputation.

Key considerations

  • Authentication: Properly configure authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for each subdomain to ensure deliverability.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise responds that when setting up subdomains for email, it’s crucial to properly configure authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for each subdomain to ensure deliverability and avoid being flagged as spam.

August 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that using subdomains for different mail streams is common and generally good practice.

April 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that subdomains are useful for separating email streams and managing reputation. Using a separate subdomain for marketing mail allows you to protect your core domain reputation if there are issues with a campaign.

May 2024 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Technical documentation consistently emphasizes the importance of properly configuring DNS records, including SPF and DKIM, for each subdomain used for outbound email. This authentication process is crucial for improving deliverability and preventing emails from being marked as spam or used for spoofing.

Key findings

  • DNS Records: Setting up subdomains requires creating new DNS records specifically for the subdomain, including SPF and DKIM records.
  • SPF Configuration: SPF records need to be specifically configured for each subdomain sending email; incorrect SPF increases spam likelihood.
  • DKIM Implementation: Implementing DKIM involves generating a new key pair and updating DNS records to verify the email sender.
  • Authentication Importance: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential for deliverability and preventing spoofing.

Key considerations

  • Authentication Setup: Ensure proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are configured for each subdomain to maximize deliverability and security.
  • DNS Updates: When setting up a new subdomain or changing email providers, remember to update the DNS records accordingly.
Technical article

Documentation from RFC explains that SPF records need to be specifically configured for each subdomain that sends email. Without a correct SPF record, emails from the subdomain are more likely to be marked as spam.

May 2023 - RFC
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft emphasizes the importance of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for all subdomains used for email sending to ensure deliverability and prevent spoofing.

July 2024 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from DKIM.org explains that Implementing DKIM for subdomains involves generating a new key pair and updating the DNS records for the subdomain with the public key. This allows receiving servers to verify that the email was indeed sent by the subdomain owner.

August 2024 - DKIM.org
Technical article

Documentation from Google explains that setting up subdomains requires creating new DNS records specifically for the subdomain, including SPF and DKIM records. This helps authenticate emails sent from the subdomain and improve deliverability.

May 2024 - Google