Sending provider

Mailchimp SPF, DKIM and DMARC setup

Mailchimp authenticates a domain with two DKIM CNAME records (k2._domainkey is Mailchimp's example) and one DMARC TXT record at _dmarc; the exact values appear in Account & billing > Domains. Mailchimp's help pages ask for no SPF include. Mailchimp Transactional (Mandrill) uses mte1 and mte2._domainkey CNAMEs to dkim1 and dkim2.mandrillapp.com.

Mailchimp

Records at a glance

SPF

No include required by Mailchimp's docs

DKIM

Two CNAMEs from the Domains tab (k2._domainkey in the docs)

DMARC

TXT at _dmarc, value shown in Mailchimp

Check Mailchimp on your domain

Enter the domain you send from: the check looks for the Mailchimp SPF include, its DKIM key and your DMARC record, and says what to fix.

Looks for the SPF record, DKIM at k2 and mte1 and a DMARC record. Lookups go from your browser to Cloudflare's public DNS resolver.

DNS records

The Mailchimp records

Values in angle brackets are specific to your account; copy them from the provider. Hosts are relative to your domain, as most DNS panels expect them.

Good to know

Step by step

Authenticate your domain in Mailchimp

  1. Verify the domainsource (opens the vendor's page in a new tab)

    Verify the email domain you send from; authentication needs a verified domain

  2. Open Domainssource (opens the vendor's page in a new tab)

    Click your profile icon and choose Account & billing, then the Domains tab, and click Start authentication next to the domain

  3. Pick your DNS providersource (opens the vendor's page in a new tab)

    Select your domain provider and click Next. Automatic authentication with Entri updates DNS for you where supported

  4. Or copy the recordssource (opens the vendor's page in a new tab)

    Add CNAME 1, CNAME 2 and the _dmarc TXT record at your DNS host by hand

  5. Wait for Authenticatedsource (opens the vendor's page in a new tab)

    Most domains validate within minutes, some take up to 48 hours. The Domains page moves from Authentication in progress to Authenticated

Where the records go

Field by field for the DNS panel your domain uses:

DMARC

DMARC with Mailchimp

DMARCA safe first record

TXT at _dmarc

v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com

Replace the address with a mailbox you read; move to p=quarantine when the reports show every sender passing.

Troubleshooting

Common Mailchimp errors and fixes

For cold email

Mailboxes that come with the DNS records done

If the domain is for cold outreach, keep Mailchimp on your main domain and send from separate domains. Outreach2day buys the domains, publishes SPF, DKIM and DMARC, creates the mailboxes and starts warm-up, then sends your campaigns from its own sequencer or exports the mailboxes to Instantly or Smartlead.

Create mailboxesBook a call
  • SPF, DKIM and DMARC set for youOn every domain, checked after setup and kept in place
  • $2.50 a mailbox a month12-mailbox minimum; warm-up and the sending engine included
  • 1,000+ mailboxesA volume price per mailbox, quoted on a call

Questions

Does Mailchimp need an SPF record?

Mailchimp's help pages ask for two DKIM CNAME records and one DMARC TXT record, and list no SPF include. Keep your domain's SPF record for the other services that send as it.

What is the Mailchimp DKIM record?

A CNAME record; Mailchimp's example host is k2._domainkey. The two CNAME names and values for your domain are in Account & billing > Domains after you click Start authentication.

What records does Mandrill need?

Two DKIM CNAMEs, mte1._domainkey to dkim1.mandrillapp.com and mte2._domainkey to dkim2.mandrillapp.com, plus at least v=DMARC1; p=none at _dmarc. A custom return-path subdomain is a CNAME to mandrillapp.com.

Can I send cold email with Mailchimp?

Mailchimp is built for subscribers who opted in. Cold outreach runs from separate domains and mailboxes with warm-up, which keeps the newsletter domain clean.

Sources

Mailchimp documentation, checked . Menus and values change; if a step differs, Mailchimp's own page is the reference.

Deliverability call

Talk to our deliverability team

Book a call with the people who run our mailbox infrastructure. We look at your current setup and tell you what to change. Running 1,000+ mailboxes? We also quote a volume price below every vendor list price in our comparisons, warm-up and sending included.

  • Review your domains, DNS records and current inbox placement
  • Size the setup: domains, mailboxes per domain and daily volume per mailbox
  • Plan warm-up and the move from your current provider or sequencer
  • 1,000+ mailboxes: a volume price per mailbox for your setup

Free call

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