What DNS records are required for the new Yahoo Complaint Feedback Loop (CFL) and can ESPs manage this for clients?
Summary
What email marketers say10Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Litmus Community replies that sender authentication (DKIM) is vital for feedback loops. A well-managed ESP typically handles the DKIM setup themselves, using their own domain. If this is the case, the client doesn’t need to worry about DNS records. Otherwise, clients will need to work with their IT to update their DNS records.
Email marketer from Hubspot Blog explains that the benefit of using them for email is they provide DKIM and manage this on the behalf of the customer. If you use another ESP then they will need to set up the DKIM records and can offer advice.
Email marketer from Gmass Blog shares that one of the top ways to improve deliverability is to authenticate your email with DKIM records. If you are using a service such as Gmass then we handle this. Some ESP will manage this themselves with no DNS records.
Marketer from Email Geeks confirms that ESPs are able to handle the Yahoo CFL setup for clients without requiring that clients create new DNS records. ESPs can double sign (DKIM) and wouldn’t need to ask clients for new DNS and can manage enrolling for the CFL by using their domain DKIM. They simply need to add and verify `espdkimdomain.example` and then sign the emails with `espdkimdomain.example`
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that Yahoo is discontinuing the old FBLs, so no more reports will come in from those. They mention that if the ESP adds only the sender's DKIM domain to the headers, then each sender needs to complete the changes for the new FBL to continue receiving reports. If the ESP uses 2 DKIM domains they can handle this on behalf of the clients.
Email marketer from EmailGeek Forums answers that generally, for Yahoo’s new CFL, DKIM is necessary. ESPs can typically manage this using their DKIM domain so that users do not need to do anything, however, if your ESP hasn't set this up properly, they might ask you to add a TXT record to your DNS for verification.
Email marketer from Reddit answers that for modern feedback loops, especially with Yahoo and Gmail, DKIM is the foundation. Most ESPs can manage this on their end (double signing), so clients won't need to touch DNS records. However, if your ESP uses your domain for DKIM, then they may require you to add a specific TXT record for FBL registration.
Email marketer from Mailjet Blog shares that for Yahoo's CFL, it's essential to have proper sender authentication, including DKIM. If using an ESP, they often handle the DKIM setup using their own domain, which means they can manage the CFL registration. However, if you're managing your own DKIM, you will need to add the verification record provided by Yahoo to your DNS settings.
Email marketer from Twilio SendGrid shares that it is best practice to implement DKIM records. If your company has an IT team that manages this then they will need to add the records. If you use a company such as SendGrid then we will provide and manage these on your behalf.
Email marketer from StackOverflow replies that to get feedback loops working, especially with Yahoo, ensure DKIM is correctly set up. If your ESP signs emails with their own DKIM domain, then they can register for the CFL themselves, with no DNS changes required on your side. But if the ESP signs with your domain, they will likely ask you to add a TXT record to your DNS.
What the experts say6Expert opinions
Expert from Spam Resource states that the core requirement for feedback loops (FBLs) is proper DKIM authentication. If an ESP uses their own DKIM domain to sign emails (double DKIM signing), they can manage the FBL registration and configuration themselves without requiring the client to make any DNS changes. If the ESP uses the client's domain for DKIM signing, the client needs to add a DNS record provided by Yahoo to verify the FBL setup.
Expert from Email Geeks states that if the ESP double signed with DKIM, the client doesn’t need to do anything as they can sign up and still get complaints with their DKIM key. Everyone needs to transition to the new list for FBLs. The client shouldn’t need to do anything, the ESP will need to register and do the DNS on their D= domain. The old list is not being migrated, anyone that wants to get the FBL has to have their DKIM registered, and that means DNS work.
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that for Yahoo’s Complaint Feedback Loop, properly configured DKIM is essential. If your ESP uses their own DKIM signing domain, they can handle the FBL setup for you. But if they use your domain for DKIM, you'll need to add specific DNS records (TXT record) provided by Yahoo to verify your domain for the FBL.
Experts from Email Geeks clarify that Yahoo is asking for a verification key in DNS, not just DKIM. Matt V also mentions ESPs that double sign shouldn’t need to ask clients for new DNS. They can manage it on their own.
Expert from Email Geeks suggests that if a vendor is going to get FBL reports, they need to sign with their own DKIM key on their domain and manage the FBL, setting up their own DKIM signing and handling the removal themselves.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that the old Yahoo FBLs were still active and being run in parallel to the new setup, last she heard.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Yahoo Sender Hub Documentation explains that to configure the Complaint Feedback Loop (CFL) in the new Sender Hub, senders need to add a DKIM record. If your ESP manages DKIM signing for you, they can handle the CFL setup without requiring changes to your DNS records. Otherwise, you’ll need to add the necessary DKIM records provided by Yahoo to your DNS.
Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools notes that while this is regarding google FBLs, the best practice is to set up DKIM signing. ESPs that properly manage DKIM signing can often handle feedback loop configurations for their clients, provided they control the signing domain. If individual senders manage their own DKIM, they must configure the DNS records themselves.
Documentation from SparkPost Documentation explains that Yahoo's feedback loop requires DKIM authentication. If an ESP provides DKIM signing on their own domain (double DKIM signing), they can usually configure the FBL on behalf of their clients. If not, individual senders need to set up DKIM and add the specified TXT record to their DNS.
Documentation from RFC Documentation writes in order to implement a feedback loop the server should authenticate using DKIM records. If your email provider (ESP) is providing this then you will not need to add the records to your DNS.