How to set up DNS for sending email with Yada

To ensure your emails reach your customers’ inboxes and maintain your brand’s reputation, you need to connect your domain to Yada. This process involves adding three specific DNS records (DKIM, MX, and SPF) to your domain provider’s settings.

While this guide uses GoDaddy as an example, the steps are similar for other providers like Namecheap, Bluehost, or Google Domains (Squarespace).

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the DNS Record Values provided in your Yada account, found here. If you don't see any DNS Record Values on that page, you must enter the domain name you want to send emails from, without any www or http:// (e.g. mySTRdomain.com)

You will need:

• Host/Name for each record.

• Value/Data for each record.

Step 1: Access Your DNS Management

1. Log in to your domain provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap.com, SquareSpace).

2. Navigate to your Domain Portfolio or My Products.

3. Select the domain you want to use with Yada.

4. Find and click on DNS Settings or Manage DNS.

Step 2: Add the TXT Record for your DKIM

The TXT record for your DKIM helps verify your domain ownership.

1. Click Add New Record.

2. Type: Select TXT.

3. Name/Host: Enter the value provided by Yada (m1._domainkey)

4. Value/Data: Paste the long string provided in the data field.

5. TTL: Leave as default (usually 1 hour).

Step 3: Add the MX Record

The MX record directs your email traffic.

1. Click Add New Record. If you don't see an option to add a new MX record (with Namecheap, for instance) you may need too click a dropdown that says Private Email and select "Custom MX"

2. Type: Select MX.

3. Name/Host: Enter the host value provided (e.g. em1234)

4. Priority: Set this to 10.

5. Value/Data: Paste the mail server address provided (mx.sendgrid.net.)

   • Note: If you encounter an error, try removing the extra period at the end of the value.

Step 4: Add the SPF Record

The SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record authorizes Yada to send emails on your behalf.

1. Click Add New Record.

2. Type: Select TXT.

3. Name/Host: Enter the subdomain value provided (e.g . em1234)

4. Value/Data: Paste the SPF string (v=spf1 include:sendgrid.net ~all).

Step 5: Save and Propagate

1. Once all three records are added, click Save All Records.

2. Confirm any prompts from your provider to finalize the changes.

IMPORTANT: DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Syntax Errors: If a record isn't saving, double-check that you haven't included extra spaces or quotes.

• Formatting: In some providers, you may need to remove the trailing period from an MX record value if it doesn't validate.

Need Help?

If you run into any issues during setup, our team is happy to assist. Reach out to us at team@yada.ai