Intro to Email Authentication
Email Authentication is a term used to describe the methods ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and corporate email servers use to determine if the source of an email is accurate to the source associated with the sender.
Email authentication does not guarantee a spot in you or your clients’ recipients’ inboxes. ISPs have a variety of other methods of filtering out unwanted emails, but authentication is a standard first step in optimizing email deliverability.
If you’ve ever gotten an email from one of your friends with a weird link to buy pharmaceuticals, you know what we’re talking about.
Types of Email Authentication
DKIM (Domain Keys Identified Mail) and Domain Keys
DKIM, the current form of Domain Keys, is a method where a “key” or digital signature is added to your emails that ISPs use to verify the email’s source. Sending emails with DKIM can help improve your domain’s sending reputation.
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and SenderID
SPF and SenderID are anti-spoofing systems that verify IP (Internet Protocol) and header addresses with the sending party. Improper maintenance of SPF can lead to emails being flagged as potentially fraudulent by ISPs.
How to Authenticate your Emails
DKIM and SenderID authentication will ensure that your Domain Key and SPF let ISPs know that you are who you say you are. It will also let ISPs know that emails sent using Fision (or another email provider) are authentic. So make sure you authenticate using both methods. Additionally, make sure you consider all of your email servers when you are authenticating your email.