Domain Verification

Domain verification, also known as domain authentication, is a key practice in email marketing. To do this, you add one or more records to your domain's DNS settings. This confirms that you have authorized a third party, such as Benchmark Email, to send emails on your behalf, which we refer to as Private Domain sending. Depending on your domain hosting provider, you may need to add a single NS record or multiple DNS records. Benchmark determines the required number of records during domain verification.

If you cannot verify your domain or are using a free email address (such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook), your emails will be sent from our shared domain, benchmarksend.com. Please note that there are account limitations when using a Shared Domain.

Detect Domain Host for Domain Verification

When you enter your domain in Benchmark, the system automatically detects your domain host and determines which verification method is supported. You’ll then be shown the records needed for verification. If your host supports it, NS Records are recommended for their simplicity and speed. If not, Benchmark provides an alternative method that requires adding multiple DNS records manually. Both methods verify your domain and help improve email deliverability.

To get started, follow the steps below:

1. Log in to your account. 
2. Click on your account avatar, and then select Email Settings.
3. In the Email Settings page, select Domains and select + Add Domain.
4. Enter your domain URL, and select Continue.
5. Next, add your subdomain name. Please note that the subdomain name must be unique and can not be used on another platform.
6. In the Configure step, you’ll be given the records needed to verify your domain.
   • Step 1, provides you with your domain host's name. 
   • Take your records and add them to your domain host DNS settings.
     • Multiple Records: add one record at a time and click on the Continue button until all records are completed. 
7. When done, select Close and Verify.

For specific instructions on how to add your records, select one of the articles below. 

Verify Domain Using Multiple DNS Records

Verify Domain Using NS Record

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Private Domain

In Benchmark, verifying your domain involves adding the unique NS record we provide to your domain’s DNS settings. Your domain's DNS settings can be found in your domain's hosting service. By adding the NS record, our system automatically configures the necessary verification records (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC), ensuring your emails are properly verified and more likely to reach the inbox.

Domain verification ensures that your emails are sent using your private domain and that you are compliant with inbox providers.

Without domain verification, your emails won't meet the requirements set by inbox providers like Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, and others. If you're unable to verify your domain or are using a free domain like Gmail or Yahoo, your emails will be sent from our verified Benchmark shared domain.

When you verify your domain, your emails are sent directly from your domain.

In the inbox, it appears as:

From: Your Name <yourname@yourdomain.com>

There is no shared domain information like "via yourname@001a0.us.benchmarksend.com,  just your brand.

Subdomain

At Benchmark, we go further by routing all emails through a subdomain of your domain. The unique NS record added to your domain’s DNS settings is only associated with that subdomain, leaving your primary domain’s DNS completely unaffected.

Using a subdomain keeps your marketing email reputation separate from your primary domain, helping protect it from potential deliverability issues. Inbox providers place significant weight on domain reputation, so verifying your subdomain still builds a strong, positive sending reputation tied to your brand.

Verifying your domain helps with inbox placement, and it confirms that your emails are legitimate. It also enhances your brand’s professional appearance and protects your domain from spoofing or phishing attacks.

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Shared Domain

For users who cannot verify their domain, Benchmark provides an alternative with shared domain sending. This method ensures your emails meet industry standards for domain verification and compliance. With shared domain sending, your campaigns are sent from a Benchmark-managed domain (e.g., yourname@001a0.us.benchmarksend.com).

Shared domain sending is a good option if:

• You cannot verify your own domain.
• You’re sending from a public email address such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.

How it Works

The shared domain information is visible at the time of scheduling or sending an email.

In the From section of the Email Details, you can add a Sender's Name and a From email name. We will also auto-select your account email address to be configured with the shared domain.

You'll also have the option to add a domain to verify.

When done, it will look something like this:

While recipients will still see your business name in the “From” field of the email, inbox services recognize that the Benchmark domain is the actual sender during verification checks behind the scenes.

Emails sent from Benchmark's shared domain appear like this:

From: Your Business Name <yourname@001a0.us.benchmarksend.com >

(Sometimes shown with “via Benchmark Email.”)

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Benefits of Domain Verification

Verifying your domain gives you more control, credibility, and sending power, both in Benchmark Email and with inbox providers. Here are just a few of the benefits of domain verification.

Improved Deliverability

• Inbox providers (like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo) recognize your verified domain as legitimate.
• Verified emails are less likely to land in spam or promotions folders.

• Your brand appears front and center in the From address, building trust with recipients.

  
  

Separate Reputation for Your Email Subdomain

• By sending from a subdomain linked to your verified domain, you keep your marketing email reputation separate from your primary domain.

• This helps protect your brand and ensures email campaigns don’t affect your main domain’s deliverability.

  
  

Increased Sending Limits in Benchmark Email

• Private domain sending allows higher send limits than the shared domain.
• Shared domain sending is available for users who can’t verify their domain, but limits are lower to maintain deliverability and platform reputation.

Compliance with Industry Best Practices

• Domain verification ensures your emails follow SPF, DKIM, and DMARC inbox requirements.

• Helps prevent phishing and spoofing attempts that could damage your brand’s credibility.

  
  

Verifying your domain in Benchmark Email not only gives you higher sending limits and better control but also strengthens your brand reputation and improves the chances your emails will reach the inbox.

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