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How to Add DMARC, SPF & DKIM in IONOS

Hosting, domain and email provider with a large customer base in Spain and Europe.

How to fill in the host field

IONOS asks only for the part before your domain in the Host name field: _dmarc for DMARC and <selector>._domainkey for DKIM. IONOS adds your domain, so _dmarc becomes _dmarc.yourdomain.com. For a record on the domain itself, such as SPF, the IONOS TXT guide uses @.

SPF, DKIM and DMARC records

SPFType: TXTHost: @ (root of the domain)

IONOS SPF is on by default for domains whose DNS is at IONOS. If the record is missing, click Add record and choose IONOS SPF (TXT). If your domain already has an SPF record, IONOS adds its mail server to it. Keep a single SPF record on your domain.

Generate SPF record
DKIMType: TXT or CNAME, depending on your email serviceHost: <selector>._domainkey

When your domain uses the IONOS DNS servers, DKIM for IONOS Mail is on by default. For any other email service, add the DKIM record that service gives you.

Check DKIM
DMARCType: TXTHost: _dmarc

IONOS does not add a DMARC record by default. Add a TXT record with _dmarc in Host name. Start with p=none until you read your DMARC reports.

Generate DMARC record

How to create a TXT record

  1. 1Sign in to IONOS and open Domains & SSL
  2. 2Next to your domain, click the gear icon under Actions and select DNS
  3. 3Click Add record and choose TXT
  4. 4Fill in Host name and paste the text from your provider in Value. The TTL is optional
  5. 5Click Save. IONOS applies the change at once, and it can take up to an hour to show elsewhere

How to create a CNAME record

  1. 1In Domains & SSL, click the gear icon next to your domain and select DNS
  2. 2Click Add record and choose CNAME
  3. 3In Host name, enter the name your email service gives you, for example <selector>._domainkey
  4. 4In Point to, enter the target domain, without http:// or https://
  5. 5Click Save

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add DNS records in IONOS if my domain uses other nameservers?

You can, but IONOS says records added there are not visible on the internet while the domain uses other DNS servers. Add them at the provider that holds your nameservers. The default IONOS nameservers are ns1XXX.ui-dns.de, .biz, .org and .com, where XXX is a number.

How long do IONOS DNS changes take?

IONOS applies a TXT change at once on its own servers and says it can take up to an hour to show elsewhere. In exceptional cases, propagation can take up to 72 hours.

Why is there no DMARC record in my IONOS DNS settings?

The IONOS standard DNS configuration does not include a DMARC record. You add it yourself as a TXT record with _dmarc as the host name.

Using IONOS email? See the SPF and DKIM records it needs

Which values does your email service need? Browse the sending services directory

Official IONOS Documentation

Monitor your email authentication

Check that the records you added in IONOS work and get alerts when issues arise.

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