DKIM with Gmail

  • Resolved Sean

    (@sean-h)


    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hi there,

    Since a recent update to this plugin I noticed after sending a test email there are now 2 actions ‘needed’ (SPF & DKIM) and 1 recommended (DMARC)

    Thing is I’m not particularly worried about any of them because everything seems to be working regardless, but I thought to try anyway.

    SPF was easy, but it appears DKIM only applies if you are using Gsuite/Workspace, at least you link to Google documentation for Workspace, I’m just using a single generic Gmail (for 7 very low traffic sites) I’m going to leave DMARC well alone for a long time to come, because I still have little to know idea how that will benefit a hobby blogger like me, the last time I tried activating DMARC at the registrar I ended up taking the website down and locking the domain.

    Basically, WP Mail SMTP is telling me:

    “The test email might have sent, but its deliverability should be improved.”

    Why should it be, if it’s already working and emails are being received?

    Maybe you want to consider rewording that line and say something along the lines of “don’t worry about these things if emails are being delivered successfully”.

    • This topic was modified 4 years, 1 month ago by Sean.
Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Plugin Author Gregor Capuder

    (@capuderg)

    Hi Sean,

    we want to enable all our users to send emails successfully from their WP site to their recipients. In many cases emails can land in the spam folder or be even rejected by the receiving mail server.

    That’s why protocols like SPF, DKIM and DMARC exist, they can help you improve the success rate of the emails being delivered. By verifying your domain that you are sending your emails from.

    It’s always better to set them up, if possible.

    You say, that you are using a simple generic Gmail account… Are you using a custom domain with that account (with SMTP/POP setup)? If you are, then you are in a unique situation and you can ignore the SPF/DKIM warnings, because they are meant for G-Suite users (as you already figured out). Free Gmail acounts are already using the SPF and DKIM protocols provided by Google and your email deliverability should be OK ??

    Have a nice day!

    Thread Starter Sean

    (@sean-h)

    Hi @capuderg

    Thanks for the reply. This was just a casual observation, I have no complaints. ??

    Yes, I am using a generic Gmail, but what I’ve done is to create a custom mailbox at each of my domains ([email protected], or no-reply or whatever you want really) and attached them to my Gmail as aliases. Back in the SMTP plugin, for the ‘From Email’, I then selected the custom email from the dropdown. Now when I get notification emails it’s plainly obvious which website has notified me, whereas if it comes straight from my Gmail, it has just my name at the top of all the emails. Yes, I also know this is not an ideal long term solution for busy e-commerce sites and the like because Gmail has its limits, but I only have 7 hobby sites, so I think I’m good. ??

    I mention the above incase anyone else reading this finds this info useful ??

    Plugin Author Gregor Capuder

    (@capuderg)

    Hi Sean,

    thank you very much for sharing this with us. If there will be a lot of users with a similar setup, we’ll try to figure something out for the Domain Check in our plugin.

    Thank you and have a nice day!

    broadleyaquatics

    (@broadleyaquatics)

    Hi Gregor @capuderg

    I am using Gsuite and trying to setup DKIM as some of our customer never receive our emails which is very annoying. I am new to this, are you able to help and walk me through the steps on how to setup DKIM on WP?

    Many Thanks in advance!

    Plugin Author Gregor Capuder

    (@capuderg)

    Hi @broadleyaquatics,

    the DKIM is something you configure on your domain DNS records, not on your WP site.

    Please try to follow the g-suite instructions for adding a DKIM record.

    That should resolve your deliverability issues (if you already configured the SPF as well).

    Take care!

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
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