Email Deliverability is something we take very seriously at WhatCounts. We strongly encourage anyone using the platform to modify their DNS settings by adding records as indicated below.
Record Type: CNAME
The CNAME record allows you to brand your email Campaigns in two ways:
- Base URL: Tracked URLs contained in your email Campaigns will be branded to match your domain. Without this, the links will appear to be going to whatcounts.com, which could create confusion for your contacts
- Bounce Domain: Setting up this CNAME will allow you to use a branded domain with your WhatCounts Bounce Address. This is important for authentication as well as so that replies received from your Campaign can be processed by WhatCounts.
To set up this record, create a subdomain on your domain with a CNAME to response.wc07.net For example:
- Host Name: response.examplecompany.com
- CNAME record points to: response.wc07.net
Note: You do not have to use 'response' as your subdomain. Choose whatever works best for your company.
Record Type: DKIM
After your CNAME record is created, request a DKIM record from WhatCounts. This record will be sent to you along with instructions for adding to your DNS. The DKIM is a digital ‘signature’ designed to prevent spoofing.
Example:
key1._domainkey.response.examplecompany.com IN TXT "k=rsa\;
p=MIGfMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBAQUAA4GNADCBiQKBgQCwAN+zzA0xP4svMOHwjjJV0YKYCY5wOmOl7OXLIOgJYX9PW4ttdH1Oh8tpO60h2uigPAFrfu5JovcGvD7prdrbmTro3JTw24gMIwQE1PMN4cNpn3hEM0hgK17fCU4k3q6MJ5LRYQT5etcEl3ziivEU2/mfYGgSMhPY+ph8CJdcWQIDAQAB"
Please contact Support after your DNS setup is complete. We will confirm that it is set up correctly and do the necessary configuration in your account to allow for use of a branded Base URL and Bounce Host.
Record Type: DMARC
DMARC, which stands for Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting, and Conformance is an email authentication protocol that helps prevent spoofing or unauthorized use of sending domains.
Implementing DMARC involves configuring your sending domain DNS with a text record. The text record contains authentication instructions for recipient servers to adhere to. To implement DMARC, enter a text string like the one found below to your DNS.
Sample DMARC txt record:
DNS Entry | Value |
_dmarc.yourdomain.com | "v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc_reports@yourdomain.com; pct=100;" |
It is advisable to assign a single mailbox to receive DMARC aggregate reports. These reports encompass success and failures of mail sent by your domain or claiming to be from your domain.
For DMARC to authenticate it must be in alignment with DKIM or SPF. These records need to exist on the DNS of your sending domain using the above instructions.
It is advisable to ensure your mail passes DMARC tests before using a more restrictive policy such as p=quarantine or p=reject.
Note: DMARC records on the parent domain are inherited by subdomains.
List Configuration
Once your DNS set up is complete and WhatCounts has provided you with a Bounce Address, set up a your List with these settings so that your email Campaigns will be branded and have proper authentication:
Example:
- Subdomain with CNAME and DKIM records: response.examplecompany.com
- Bounce Address (created for you by WhatCounts):
example??EMAIL_REF??@response.examplecompany.com
From Address: "My Company" < example@response.examplecompany.com >
Reply-to Address: "My Company" < example??EMAIL_REF??@response.examplecompany.com >
Bounce Address: example??EMAIL_REF??@response.examplecompany.com
Note: The ??EMAIL_REF?? tag helps the system to process bounces, but only needs to be included with a WhatCounts Bounce Address in the Reply-To and Bounce Address fields.
Testing
A simple way to see if your message is passing Authentication is to send an email to a Gmail address. Open the email in your inbox, then click the three dots in the upper right and select SHOW ORIGINAL.
Gmail will report whether or not your message is passing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
Note: Your sending IP(s) will be different from the one above.
Please feel free to contact the WhatCounts Support team if you need any help with testing or your results.