Domain authentication is the process that allows you to tell email service providers that Method is a trusted sender from your domains. Domain authentication is about security and deliverability, as it helps you protect your brand's reputation and ensures your emails successfully reach recipients’ inboxes.
Authenticating your domain involves publishing DNS records to establish your domain reputation.
There are two ways to authenticate your domain:
Add CNAME records to your DNS.
Add MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to your DNS.
The first option, CNAME records, is selected by default and recommended.
NOTE: We recommend adding CNAME records because they are the easiest and most reliable way to verify domain ownership and connect sending services. CNAME requires fewer steps to configure and CNAME record are often less prone to configuration errors, compared to SPF, DKIM, or DMARC records.
If you would rather authenticate your domain by configure your DMARC settings, please see the article, Authenticate your Domain by configuring your DMARC.
Add your custom domain in Method
The domain authentication section is on your Account Settings page, under Communications. To verify and authenticate a custom domain, follow these steps:
Click your Profile icon in the upper-right and then click Account Settings.
Select Communication.
By default, you will be in the Email Settings tab. Within the Domains section, click the Add Domain Button (only visible when sending via Method Servers).
You will be prompted for a domain name. Type the domain of the email addresses you’ll use to send your emails.
e.g If you send emails from sales@best4youservices.com, enterbest4youservices.com.
Keep
Use automatic security (recommended) selected to add CNAME records.Click the Add button and your custom domain will be added to Method. Beside the Pending status, note the carat (
) symbol. Click it to expand some records you need for the next section.
It's now time to log into your DNS provider.
Update your DNS provider to Verify your Domain.
Log in to your DNS provider in a new window. If you do not know your DNS provider, you can use this tool.
From step 6 of the previous section, copy the records from Method:
Paste each record you copied from Method into the relevant fields in your DNS provider. This process differs slightly depending on your DNS provider. For convenience, we've listed some widely used DNS providers below:
When your DNS records are successfully propagated, back in Method, you should see the Verification status “Verified” with a green indicator. You are now ready to start sending messages with your authenticated custom domain.
NOTE: Typically, the DNS record propagates in 5 to 10 minutes, but in rare cases, it can take up to 24 hours, especially if you recently purchased this domain. To check the status of your DNS record, return to the Method's Account Settings page and click “Refresh Status”:
How to remove an authenticated email domain
Click your Profile icon in the upper-right and then click Account Settings.
Select Communication.
By default, you will be in the Email Settings tab. Within the Domains section, expand the carat (
) symbol to view an authenticated domain.
Click Delete.
Confirm in confirmation modal.
FAQ
What is a DNS provider? How can I look mine up if I don’t know it?
DNS providers—also called “registrars,” “web hosting,” or “domain hosting” companies—are the entities that allow you to add DNS records.
Typically, your domain is hosted by the company that you bought the domain from. Popular domain vendors include GoDaddy, CloudFlare, and Siteground. If you’re not sure of your DNS provider, you can use this tool.
How do users send email from an authenticated domain?
Once an administrator has authenticated a domain on an account, all users will be able to modify their notification address to send from that domain. Users will need to navigate to Profile - Email Settings, and select the checkbox “Send from authenticated domains.” The domain name will then populate and they can input their email prefix.
What if I am using Method: Classic?
We’ve got your back. When on the Customize Tab, go to My Account, Default Email Preferences, and click on the hyperlink in the first paragraph to navigate to Method: New, where you can authenticate a domain. This won’t migrate you over to Method: New, it just allows you to make use of the new domain authentication functionality while continuing to use Classic. Win-win scenario!
