Should I use subdomains or a single domain for email marketing after a brand merger?

Summary

The optimal domain strategy for email marketing after a brand merger is a multifaceted decision influenced by reputation management, tracking requirements, regional considerations, and technical expertise. The key debate centers around using subdomains versus a single domain. Subdomains offer the advantage of isolating reputation, which is crucial when one merging entity has a questionable sending history, allowing for granular tracking and segmentation, and offering a higher degree of control. Conversely, using a single domain may appear simpler but risks one brand's poor practices negatively affecting the entire domain's deliverability. Regardless of the choice, proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is paramount, as is adhering to technical standards and progressively warming up new IP addresses and domains.

Key findings

  • Reputation Isolation: Subdomains effectively isolate sending reputation, shielding the main domain from negative impacts of less reputable brands during a merger.
  • Granular Tracking: Subdomains allow for separate tracking and monitoring via tools like Google Postmaster Tools, offering deeper insights into deliverability performance.
  • Technical Standards: Compliance with RFC 1035 and other technical specifications is necessary to avoid deliverability issues.
  • Authentication is Key: Implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for all domains and subdomains is essential for proper authentication, trustworthiness, and protection from spoofing and phishing.
  • Warming is Crucial: Gradually warming up new IP addresses and domains/subdomains is a vital step to establish a solid sending reputation with ISPs post-merger.
  • Single Domain Can Be Risky: Using a single shared domain without reputation isolation measures can lead to deliverability problems if one brand's email practices are subpar.

Key considerations

  • Assess Sending History: Thoroughly evaluate the sending history and email practices of all merging brands to determine the level of reputation risk involved.
  • Determine Reputation Goals: Decide on the desired level of reputation isolation based on the risk assessment. Consider isolating brands with different practices on separate subdomains.
  • Evaluate Tracking Needs: Establish clear tracking and reporting requirements. Subdomains provide more detailed tracking options.
  • Ensure Proper Authentication: Guarantee correct configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for all domains and subdomains, and regularly audit to confirm continued functionality.
  • Prioritize Technical Expertise: Ensure availability of or access to technical expertise to properly configure and manage email authentication protocols and DNS settings.
  • Regional Targeting: Consider regional targeting by hostname.
  • Consider Testing: Implement A/B testing of different set ups.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

The optimal domain strategy for email marketing after a brand merger depends on several factors, including the email practices of the merged entities, desired levels of reputation isolation, and tracking needs. Some experts recommend using subdomains to isolate reputation, especially if one brand has a questionable sending history. This approach allows for better tracking, segmentation, and control over sender reputation. Warming up new IPs and domains is crucial. Others suggest using a single domain for simplicity and to consolidate reputation, particularly if email volumes are low in some markets. However, this approach carries the risk of one brand's poor email practices negatively impacting the deliverability of the entire domain. Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential in either scenario.

Key opinions

  • Reputation Isolation: Subdomains can isolate the reputation of different brands or email types (transactional vs. marketing), preventing negative impacts on the main domain.
  • Tracking & Segmentation: Subdomains provide better tracking capabilities and allow for segmentation of email traffic, enabling more granular monitoring and reporting.
  • Warming Up: Warming up new IPs and domains/subdomains is crucial for establishing a positive sending reputation after a merger.
  • Consolidated Reputation: Using a single domain can consolidate reputation, but it requires careful monitoring and adherence to best practices by all merged entities.
  • Risk of Shared Domain: Poor email practices by one brand on a shared domain can negatively impact the deliverability of all emails sent from that domain.

Key considerations

  • Email Practices: Assess the email practices and sending history of all merged entities to determine the risk of negative reputation impacts.
  • Reputation Goals: Determine the desired level of reputation isolation. If brands have significantly different email practices, isolating them on subdomains may be prudent.
  • Tracking Needs: Consider tracking and reporting requirements. Subdomains offer more granular tracking capabilities.
  • Email Volume: Consider the email volume in smaller markets. Low volumes might not be enough to establish a good reputation on dedicated subdomains.
  • Authentication: Ensure proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is set up for all domains and subdomains.
  • Friendly From Name: Consider using Friendly From Names with a single domain to keep things simple.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora explains that separating email streams onto different subdomains allows for better reputation management. This is beneficial after a merger as it prevents the reputation of one brand from negatively affecting the other. You can carefully monitor the deliverability of each domain.

July 2021 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost emphasizes that domain reputation is crucial for email deliverability. After a brand merger, assessing and potentially separating email streams via subdomains can help protect the primary domain's reputation if the acquired brand has a questionable sending history.

September 2022 - SparkPost
Marketer view

Email marketer from GMass suggests that after a brand merger you use a subdomain to send campaigns, because this will allow you to track deliverability with less impact to your primary domain.

July 2024 - GMass
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks recommends using sub-domains instead of cousin domains, but acknowledges there might be reasons to do otherwise, such as reluctance from different country teams to be under the same 'hat' or potential complications if the brand splits. Benjamin also notes that as long as you send relevant emails to people who asked for them, the domain choice shouldn't matter much.

February 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that they've seen benefits in isolating different types of email (transactional vs. marketing) on separate subdomains to manage reputation more effectively. This is especially useful post-merger when dealing with potentially varying email practices.

March 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid discusses the importance of warming up new IP addresses and domains. They suggest that after a merger and domain change, gradually increasing email volume from the new domain or subdomains is crucial to establish a positive sending reputation with ISPs.

April 2021 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that using dedicated IP addresses and subdomains can improve email deliverability by isolating your sending reputation from other senders on a shared IP. This allows you to manage your reputation more effectively, especially after a brand merger where legacy email practices might affect your overall domain reputation.

December 2023 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests doing a single brand domain and leave the separation to the Friendly From: names. They also point out that *.<http://example.com|example.com> will be blocked by URIBL, MAPS, Spamhaus, etc. if you get blocked for any reason.

October 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus recommends using subdomains for email deliverability and segmentation. This allows for better control over sender reputation for different types of emails or different brands after a merger. Subdomains can help you segment your email traffic and maintain a good sender reputation for each segment.

August 2023 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange shared that using subdomains provides better tracking capabilities and helps isolate deliverability issues, which can be beneficial when integrating email systems from different brands after a merger.

February 2022 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum highlights the potential risks associated with using a single, shared domain for all email marketing activities after a merger. They mention that if one brand's email practices are poor, it can negatively impact the deliverability of all emails sent from that domain.

April 2022 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests that splitting up domains/traffic is usually a bad idea as countries with little traffic would never be able to build up reputation, when they could be contributing to the overall reputation.

February 2024 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
5Expert opinions

Experts suggest that the decision to use subdomains or a single domain after a brand merger hinges on the need for reputation isolation and tracking granularity. Subdomains can isolate reputation, preventing a brand with a poor sending history from harming the main domain's deliverability. They also enable separate tracking in tools like Google Postmaster Tools. Reasons for treating regions differently in hostname conventions include reputation management, easier measurement, and branding considerations. Keeping everything under the same organizational domain with potential subdomains remains a viable approach.

Key opinions

  • Reputation Isolation: Subdomains can effectively isolate reputation, protecting the main domain from negative impacts from merged entities.
  • Granular Tracking: Using subdomains allows for separate tracking of metrics via tools like Google Postmaster Tools, providing detailed insights into deliverability.
  • Regional Considerations: Treating regions differently with hostname conventions can address branding, measurement, and reputation concerns.

Key considerations

  • Reputation Risk: Assess the sending history of the merging brands to determine the level of reputation risk.
  • Tracking Needs: Evaluate the need for granular tracking and reporting at the subdomain level.
  • Organizational Structure: Consider keeping everything under the same organizational domain, but with subdomains to provide flexibility.
  • Control: Using subdomains gives you greater control of what might happen if you have any issues with your main sending domain.
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource.com explains the benefits of using subdomains for reputation separation. It gives you greater control of what might happen if you have any issues with your main sending domain.

August 2021 - Spamresource.com
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that reasons for treating different regions differently in a hostname sense could include disconnecting reputation, easier measurement, or branding in the From: header.

October 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests keeping everything under the same organizational domain, potentially with subdomains for different regions.

April 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks provides the argument that using email-pt.example.com allows for separate tracking of Google Postmaster Tools per subdomain, enabling easier monitoring and reputation management.

May 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that subdomains offer a way to isolate reputation. If one brand has a poor sending history, using a separate subdomain for their email marketing activities after a merger prevents their reputation from negatively impacting the main domain's deliverability.

November 2024 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Technical documentation emphasizes the critical importance of proper email authentication when using subdomains or transitioning to a new domain structure after a brand merger. Configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for all domains and subdomains is essential for ensuring emails are properly authenticated, trusted by receiving mail servers, and protected from spoofing and phishing attacks. Adhering to domain name and subdomain technical specifications outlined in RFC 1035 is also important to avoid technical issues with email delivery.

Key findings

  • SPF Configuration: SPF records must be configured for each subdomain to ensure proper authentication and prevent emails from being marked as spam.
  • DKIM Configuration: Correct DKIM configuration for custom domains and subdomains is essential for email authentication and trustworthiness.
  • DMARC Implementation: Implementing DMARC policies for both main domains and subdomains protects against email spoofing and phishing attacks, maintaining trust and deliverability.
  • RFC Compliance: Adhering to domain name and subdomain technical specifications outlined in RFC 1035 is necessary to avoid technical issues with email delivery.
  • Overall Authentication: Overall proper authetication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) helps build trust with ISPs, especially when transitioning to a new domain structure after a merger.

Key considerations

  • Technical Expertise: Ensure you have the technical expertise to properly configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
  • DNS Management: Carefully manage DNS records for all domains and subdomains to ensure accurate authentication.
  • Policy Enforcement: Establish and enforce DMARC policies to protect your domains from unauthorized use.
  • Testing: Always test email authentication configurations to ensure they are working correctly.
  • Auditing: Perform audits of authentication and deliverability settings.
Technical article

Documentation from Mailchimp provides details on setting up and authenticating custom domains, which is critical for ensuring email deliverability. Proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) helps build trust with ISPs, especially when transitioning to a new domain structure after a merger.

March 2021 - Mailchimp
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft details the process of setting up DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) for custom domains and subdomains in their email services. Correct DKIM configuration is essential for ensuring that your emails are authenticated and trusted by receiving mail servers. This becomes important when migrating to a new domain after a merger.

July 2024 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org explains the importance of implementing DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) policies to protect your domain from email spoofing and phishing attacks. Setting up DMARC for both the main domain and any subdomains is crucial for maintaining trust and deliverability after a brand merger.

March 2022 - DMARC.org
Technical article

Documentation from ietf.org (RFC 1035) outlines the technical specifications for domain names and subdomains. It is important to ensure that any subdomains created for email marketing adhere to these standards to avoid technical issues with email delivery and authentication. This should be checked when setting up for a new brand.

July 2024 - ietf.org
Technical article

Documentation from Google explains that when using subdomains for email, it's essential to configure SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records for each subdomain. This helps ensure that emails sent from the subdomain are properly authenticated and less likely to be marked as spam. It is critical for deliverability after a brand merger.

December 2024 - Google