Authenticating a custom brand domain allows mailbox providers to verify that emails sent through SmartPush are authorized and trustworthy. This helps protect your brand, improve email deliverability, and unlock advanced authentication features such as BIMI.
This guide walks you through the step-by-step process of setting up and authenticating a custom brand domain in SmartPush.
Why Authenticate a Custom Brand Domain?
Improve Sender Reputation and Inbox Placement
When your sending domain is authenticated, mailbox providers can verify that emails sent from your domain are legitimate. Authenticated domains are more likely to earn trust from ISPs, improving sender reputation and increasing the chances that your emails reach recipients’ inboxes.
Enhance Brand Visibility
Using a branded sending domain reinforces brand recognition in the inbox. If BIMI is enabled and supported by mailbox providers, your brand logo may also be displayed alongside authenticated emails, helping your messages stand out.
Support Better Email Performance at Scale
Marketing emails are more likely to be filtered as spam than automated or transactional emails. Authenticating custom domains—or multiple subdomains—allows you to separate different sending scenarios and reduce deliverability risks as your contact list grows.
Before You Start
Before proceeding, make sure that:
- You have permission to manage DNS records for the domain.
- You know which domain or subdomain you want to use for email sending.
- (optional) You have a brand logo ready if you plan to enable BIMI.
Step-by-Step: Authenticate a Custom Brand Domain
Step 1: Open Sender Domain Settings
- In the SmartPush Admin, go to Settings > Activity Settings > Sender domain.
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Click Add domain to start adding a new sender domain.
Step 2: Enter the Domain and Upload a Brand Logo
- Enter the domain or subdomain you want to authenticate (for example: "example.com" or "email.example.com").
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Upload your brand logo (optional). Based on your selection, SmartPush will automatically generate the required authentication records:
Note: Uploading a logo is required if you plan to enable BIMI.
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If a brand logo is uploaded:
- TXT records for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and BIMI are generated.
- The DMARC policy is set to p=quarantine.
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If no brand logo is uploaded:
- TXT records for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are generated.
- The DMARC policy is set to p=none (monitoring mode).
- Click Next step to proceed.
Step 3: Publish the DNS Records
- Copy the TXT records generated by SmartPush. Ask your domain administrator to add these records to your domain’s DNS settings.
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Click Record added, verify it. Wait for DNS propagation (this may take up to 24 hours).
You can return to the Sender domain page at any time to check the verification status.
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Notes:
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Step 4: Configure Sender Email Addresses
After the domain is successfully authenticated, add sender email addresses under the authenticated domain. Each authenticated domain supports up to 3 sender usernames.
These sender addresses can be selected when creating marketing campaigns or automated email workflows.
After Setup: Verify and Start Sending
After completing verification, all verified domains can be found under Settings > Activity Settings > Sender domain. Click Manage domain (you will be redirected to the Deliverability section).
Configure the following settings, and make sure to select the correct sending domain:
- Marketing Campaign Domain
- Automation Campaign Domain
Self-Troubleshooting: What to Do If Domain Verification Fails or Does Not Take Effect
If you encounter issues when verifying your custom branded domain (for example, verification fails or the status does not update for an extended period), we recommend checking the following:
Q1: Verify that DNS records are configured correctly
Ensure that all TXT records provided by SmartPush have been added completely, and that there are no missing values or extra spaces.
Q2: Check the Host (host record) configuration
Some domain providers automatically append the root domain. If you enter the full domain (e.g., email.example.com), it may result in duplication and cause DNS resolution errors. Make sure to enter only the subdomain prefix (e.g., email).
Q3: Confirm that DNS changes have propagated
DNS updates may take time to take effect (up to 24 hours). If you have just completed the configuration, please wait and try verifying again later.
Q4: Ensure you have DNS management permissions
Confirm that your current account has permission to manage DNS records for the domain. Otherwise, the records may not have been saved successfully.
If the issue persists after completing the checks above, please refer to the full troubleshooting guide: "DNS Settings for Domain Resolution."
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