Set up SPF, DKIM and CNAME records for PledgeBox

Set up SPF, DKIM and CNAME for a provider

Use the DNS records shown for your own sending domain in PledgeBox. Record types and values can differ between products and sending configurations. Do not copy records from another domain or an old tutorial.

1. Get your domain records

Open the domain configuration in the PledgeBox product you use. For Email Marketing, open Custom Domains, then click DNS Config for your domain.

The current Email Marketing example below shows three DKIM records. Each record has type CNAME. Copy the Type, Name and Value for every record shown in your own account.

Example only. Your domain names and record values will be different.

2. Add the records at your DNS provider

  1. Sign in to the provider that manages the authoritative DNS for your domain.
  2. Open the DNS records for the correct domain.
  3. Create each record with the exact type shown in PledgeBox.
  4. Copy its Name into the provider’s Name or Host field.
  5. Copy its Value into the Value, Target or Points to field.
  6. Save the record. Repeat for all required records.

Some providers append your domain automatically. Check the complete hostname to avoid adding the domain twice. Keep underscores in DKIM names.

3. Check SPF and DKIM record types

  • SPF: Publish the SPF policy as a TXT record when your sending configuration requires it. Use the policy supplied for that configuration.
  • Existing SPF: Do not add a second SPF policy at the same hostname. Ask your DNS administrator to combine the required authorized senders into the existing policy.
  • DKIM: Use CNAME when the configuration shows CNAME. Use TXT only when it explicitly supplies a DKIM TXT record.
  • CNAME values: A CNAME points to a hostname. Do not paste a DKIM RSA public key or an SPF policy into a CNAME value.

Do not replace your current SPF policy with a Google Workspace-only example unless that policy covers all services that send email for the domain.

4. Verify the domain

Return to the same PledgeBox domain configuration and check the verification status after the DNS records propagate. Timing depends on the provider and DNS cache. Verification is not guaranteed within 30 minutes.

If verification remains pending, compare each record’s type, full hostname and value with PledgeBox. Confirm that all required records exist at the authoritative DNS provider.

Keep other services working

Preserve existing website records, MX records and unrelated TXT records. Do not clear all DNS records. Email authentication records and a custom survey URL serve different purposes; use the instructions for the product you are configuring.

Official reference