Why are my DKIM and DMARC failing in ConvertKit?

7 Marketer opinions 2 Expert opinions 4 Technical articles 6 Resources

Summary

DKIM and DMARC failures within ConvertKit environments commonly arise from various configuration and alignment issues. These include ConvertKit's single signed domain constraint, DNS misconfigurations or propagation delays, inconsistencies between the 'From' address and the authenticated domain, and problems with SPF records. Ensuring accurate setup and continuous monitoring of these elements are crucial for preventing deliverability issues.

Key findings

Domain Limitation: ConvertKit's limitation to a single signed domain impacts DMARC compliance when using multiple domains.
Verification Problems: Unverified domains, incorrect DNS settings, or missing DKIM keys frequently lead to authentication failures.
From Address Mismatch: Discrepancies between the email's 'From' address and the authenticated domain cause DMARC failures.
DNS Propagation Delays: Intermittent issues can result from DNS propagation delays, necessitating thorough record verification.
SPF Misconfiguration: Incorrect or absent SPF records, especially those not including ConvertKit's servers, trigger SPF and DMARC failures.
Alignment Requirements: DMARC necessitates DKIM or SPF alignment, demanding consistency between the sending domain and authentication methods.
DKIM 'v' Tag: Incorrect or missing DKIM 'v' tags can lead to DKIM failures. It should be set to DKIM1.
Multiple SPF Records: Having more than one SPF record will invalidate SPF.

Key considerations

Verify DNS Settings: Thoroughly examine DNS records and DKIM keys for accuracy and proper setup.
Ensure Domain Alignment: Align the 'From' address with the domain authenticated within ConvertKit to prevent DMARC failures.
SPF Record Check: Confirm that the SPF record authorizes ConvertKit as a legitimate sending source.
Check Domain Authentication: Always check that domain authentication is valid and setup correctly in ConvertKit.
Monitor DNS Changes: Following DNS modifications, continuously monitor propagation to avoid disruptions.

What email marketers say
7Marketer opinions

DKIM and DMARC failures in ConvertKit are often caused by issues with domain authentication and configuration. Common problems include using multiple domains when ConvertKit only supports one signed domain, incorrect DNS settings or propagation delays, misalignment between the 'from' address and the authenticated domain, and missing or improperly configured SPF records.

Key opinions

Single Domain Limitation: ConvertKit's limitation of one signed domain per account can lead to DMARC failures when using multiple domains.
Domain Verification: The domain must be properly verified within ConvertKit, and DNS settings must be correctly configured.
From Address Alignment: The 'from' address in your emails must match the domain you've authenticated with ConvertKit for DMARC to pass.
DNS Propagation: DNS propagation delays can cause intermittent issues, so verify records using multiple tools.
SPF Configuration: Incorrect or missing SPF records that don't include ConvertKit's servers will cause failures.

Key considerations

Verify Domain Setup: Double-check all DNS records, DKIM keys, and domain verification settings in ConvertKit.
Align Sending Domains: Ensure the domain used in the 'from' address aligns with the domain authenticated in ConvertKit.
Monitor DNS Propagation: After making DNS changes, monitor propagation to avoid intermittent issues.
SPF Record Accuracy: Confirm that your SPF record includes ConvertKit as an authorized sending source.
Limited domain setup: ConvertKit only has limited DKIM/DMARC domain setup options

Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow shares that issues can be intermittent due to DNS propagation delays. Ensure that you check your DNS records multiple times using different tools to confirm that the records have fully propagated across the internet.

September 2023 - StackOverflow

Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks Forum responds that the most common cause is the DKIM/DMARC failing is due to domain not being verified properly. Make sure to double-check the DNS settings and that the DKIM key is properly setup to ensure that the domain is verified

August 2021 - EmailGeeks Forum

Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that incorrect SPF records will lead to SPF failing. SPF records need to include all the servers you send email from - if ConvertKit is missing from the SPF, then this will lead to SPF failing.

January 2023 - Mailjet

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid explains that DMARC requires DKIM or SPF to 'align'. Alignment means that the domain used in the 'from' address of your email must match the domain that is DKIM signed or authorized to send email on behalf of that domain according to SPF. Any misconfiguration will cause DMARC to fail.

November 2022 - Email on Acid

Marketer view

Email marketer from MXToolbox shares that DNS record propagation issues can cause intermittency issues, especially soon after updating a record. Use MXToolbox to check your records are correct.

April 2024 - MXToolbox

Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that DMARC failures in ConvertKit can occur if the 'from' address in your emails doesn't match the domain you've authenticated with ConvertKit. Verify that the 'from' address uses the correct domain and that it aligns with your DKIM and SPF records.

August 2024 - Reddit

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that ConvertKit allows only one signed domain to be integrated with an account, which can cause DMARC failures if multiple domains are used. If an email address doesn't align with the signed domain, outgoing emails will fail DMARC checks.

April 2023 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

DKIM and DMARC failures in ConvertKit often stem from incorrect SPF records or inconsistencies between the 'From' domain and the DKIM signing domain. Properly configuring the SPF record to include ConvertKit's servers and ensuring that ConvertKit is correctly signing emails with your domain are crucial.

Key opinions

SPF Configuration: Improperly configured SPF records that don't authorize ConvertKit's servers will cause DMARC to fail.
Domain Inconsistencies: Inconsistencies between the 'From' domain and the DKIM signing domain, particularly in shared sending environments like ConvertKit, can lead to DMARC failures.

Key considerations

Verify SPF Record: Ensure the SPF record includes ConvertKit as an authorized sending source.
Check DKIM Signing: Confirm that ConvertKit is properly signing emails with your domain to align with DMARC requirements.

Expert view

Expert from Spamresource.com explains that a common reason for DMARC failures is an improperly configured SPF record. If the SPF record doesn't authorize the sending source (ConvertKit's servers), DMARC will fail. Ensure the SPF record includes ConvertKit.

November 2024 - Spamresource.com

Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise responds that DMARC failures in shared sending environments like ConvertKit can occur due to inconsistencies between the 'From' domain and the DKIM signing domain. Check that ConvertKit is properly signing emails with your domain.

January 2023 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

DKIM and DMARC failures in ConvertKit are often due to improper domain setup or verification, and issues with DKIM and SPF records. Common problems include incorrect or missing DKIM 'v' tags, having multiple SPF records, and general misconfiguration of DNS settings according to ConvertKit's instructions and DMARC requirements.

Key findings

Improper Setup: Domain setup and verification within ConvertKit are critical for DKIM and DMARC to function correctly.
DKIM/SPF Failures: DMARC failures often result from underlying DKIM or SPF failures.
DKIM 'v' Tag: The 'v' tag in DKIM signatures must be correctly set to 'DKIM1' to avoid failures.
Multiple SPF Records: Having multiple SPF records is invalid and will cause SPF to fail.

Key considerations

Verify Domain Setup: Ensure the domain is correctly authenticated and that DNS records are properly configured per ConvertKit's instructions.
Check DKIM/SPF Records: Review both DKIM and SPF records to ensure they are correctly set up and aligned with email sending practices.
Correct DKIM 'v' Tag: Verify that the 'v' tag in your DKIM record is set to 'DKIM1'.
Single SPF Record: Consolidate multiple SPF records into a single record that includes all sending sources.

Technical article

Documentation from RFC on DKIM signatures explains that the 'v' tag in DKIM signatures is crucial. Its absence or incorrect value can lead to DKIM failures. Review your DKIM record to ensure the 'v' tag is correctly set to 'DKIM1'.

August 2023 - RFC

Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace answers that multiple SPF records will lead to failures. You should only have one SPF record, and it needs to have all sending servers included.

February 2023 - Google Workspace

Technical article

Documentation from ConvertKit Support explains that DKIM and DMARC failures in ConvertKit often stem from improper setup or verification of the sending domain within the ConvertKit platform. Ensure that the domain is correctly authenticated and that the DNS records are properly configured according to ConvertKit's instructions.

August 2024 - ConvertKit

Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org shares that DMARC failures often happen when either DKIM or SPF fails, and the DMARC policy is set to reject or quarantine. Check both DKIM and SPF records to ensure they are correctly set up for your domain and that they align with your email sending practices.

May 2024 - DMARC.org

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