Authentication & DNS
When you see header issues despite domain verification:
Authentication Check:
Verify all authentication methods (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC) are passing.
Check Return-Path alignment with From domain.
Ensure DKIM signatures are valid and using correct selectors.
Common Issues:
Mismatched sending domains.
Incorrect authentication record implementation.
Missing or incorrect DKIM keys.
Sending configuration issues in your Email account.
For specific header issues, check your Email dashboard or contact Email support with the full headers for detailed analysis.
Is DMARC required?
Yes, DMARC is now mandatory due to 2024 requirements from major mailbox providers:
Gmail and Yahoo require at minimum a DMARC policy of "p=none"
Recommended DMARC Implementation Process:
Start with "p=none" for at least one week
Monitor reports and fix any authentication issues
Gradually progress to "p=quarantine" following Gmail's recommended rollout plan
Eventually move to "p=reject" for maximum protection
For detailed guidance, review Gmail's DMARC rollout recommendations.
What's involved in setting up Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI)?
BIMI setup requires these key components:
Email Authentication Requirements:
Fully implemented and passing DMARC validation
DMARC policy must be set to either:
"quarantine" with 100% policy (pct=100)
OR "reject"
This applies to both your sending domain and organizational domain (if different)
BIMI DNS Record:
Must publish a valid BIMI record in your DNS
Record should point to:
Your logo in SVG format (meeting BIMI specifications)
A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) if required by receiving mailbox providers
Why is my domain not verifying?
When your domain fails to verify, follow these troubleshooting steps:
Check for Conflicting DNS Records: recommend tool - MxToolbox
Look for existing TXT or CNAME records from previous email service providers
If found, remove these outdated records before adding Email records
Verify DNS Record Implementation:
Confirm records are added to the correct domain/subdomain
Double-check that all records match Email's provided values exactly
Allow 24-48 hours for DNS propagation after making changes
If everything looks fine, you can submit a ticket with Bird support to get help on identifying the issue.
Contact Your Domain Registrar:
If issues persist, your domain registrar can confirm whether DNS changes are properly implemented
They can also verify there are no restrictions preventing record updates