Email Authentication: Flowchart

  • Feb 20, 2026
  • Knowledge

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A blue slide with black text that reads 'Setting up email authentication'

Step 1: Do you have a registered domain or website? If yes, go to step 2. If not, you will need to purchase one. Domains must be registered for 30 days before use. For more information about domains, check out the article linked below.

Related Article: Domain Names and Registrars

Step 2: Check your default sender email. Are you sending from your registered domain in Emma? If yes, go to step 3. If not, you must update your default sender email to one that uses a domain that you own.

Related Article: How to Change Your Sender Name and Email

Step 3: CNAME records for DKIM. Have you created the 3 required CNAME records in your DNS? If yes, go to step 4. If not, log in to your DNS and create them. The format for the records is located in the article linked below.

Related Article: DKIM Authentication Setup (CNAME Records)

Step 4: TXT records for DKIM. Have you created the required TXT record in your DNS? If yes, go to step 5. If not, log in to your DNS and create it. The format for the record is located in the article linked below.

Related Article: DKIM Authentication Setup (TXT Record)

Step 5: Have you validated your DKIM domain in Emma? If yes, go to step 6. If not, open Emma account, click on the gear icon, select Account from the dropdown menu, click on the Deliverability tab, enter your domain in the DKIM domain box, and click Save.

Related Article: DKIM Authentication Setup (Final Validation)

Step 6: Does your domain have a DMARC policy? If yes, go to step 7. If not, log in to your DNS and create a new TXT record. One example of the format for the record is located in the article linked below.

Related article: DMARC Authentication Setup

Step 7: Have you added Emma to your SPF record? If yes, go to step 8. If not, log in to your DNS and create a new TXT record. One example of the format for the record is located in the article linked below.

Related Article: SPF Authentication Setup

Step 8: Authentication complete. You should see 6 new records in your DNS. If you are experiencing difficulty, check out the articles below. Your DNS provider's support team or your IT team may also be able to help you.

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Email Authentication: Flowchart
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