DNS record configuration
Setting up a dedicated email domain requires adding three types of DNS records to your domain registrar. All three are necessary for reliable email delivery.SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
SPF tells email providers which servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain.If you already have an SPF record for your domain, do not create a second one. Instead, add
include:_spf.hoopai.com to your existing record before the ~all or -all directive.DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
DKIM adds a digital signature to your outgoing emails so recipients can verify the message was not altered in transit.1
Copy the DKIM records from Hoop
Go to Settings > Email Services > Dedicated Domain and copy the DKIM CNAME record name and value provided.
2
Add the record to your DNS provider
Log in to your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Namecheap, etc.) and create a new CNAME record using the values from Hoop.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance)
DMARC tells email providers what to do when a message fails SPF or DKIM checks.Domain verification
After adding all DNS records, you need to verify the domain in Hoop.1
Initiate verification
Go to Settings > Email Services > Dedicated Domain and click Verify Domain.
2
Wait for DNS propagation
DNS changes can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 48 hours to propagate, depending on your registrar. Most propagate within 1 to 4 hours.
3
Check verification status
Return to the Dedicated Domain settings and check the status of each record. Green checkmarks indicate successful verification.
Common DNS errors
Email deliverability improvement
A dedicated domain alone does not guarantee inbox placement. Follow these practices to maintain a strong sender reputation.- Send to engaged contacts only: Remove contacts who have not opened an email in 90 or more days
- Authenticate fully: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC all pass before sending at scale
- Monitor bounce rates: A bounce rate above 2% signals list quality issues
- Include an unsubscribe link: Every marketing email must have a working unsubscribe mechanism
Domain warmup process
New dedicated domains have no sending reputation. Follow a warmup schedule to avoid triggering spam filters.1
Start with a small volume
Send to your most engaged contacts first. Begin with 50 to 100 emails per day during the first week.
2
Gradually increase volume
Double your daily sending volume each week. Week 1: 100/day, Week 2: 200/day, Week 3: 400/day, and so on.
3
Monitor deliverability metrics
Track open rates, bounce rates, and spam complaint rates after each send. If any metric deteriorates, slow down and investigate before increasing volume.
4
Reach full volume
Most domains are fully warmed after 4 to 6 weeks. At that point, you can send at your normal volume without restrictions.
FAQs
Can I use a subdomain instead of my main domain?
Can I use a subdomain instead of my main domain?
Yes. Using a subdomain like
mail.yourdomain.com is a common practice. It isolates your email sending reputation from your main domain, which is useful if you also send emails from other platforms.Will setting up a dedicated domain affect my existing emails?
Will setting up a dedicated domain affect my existing emails?
No. Adding the DNS records for Hoop does not affect email you send from other platforms (such as Google Workspace or Outlook). The records authorize Hoop as an additional sender for your domain.