Sending domains¶
Before a mailbox sends campaign email, Cadensiq checks two things: that your organization controls the domain the mailbox sends from (for example example.com), and that real messages from the mailbox pass the standard email authentication checks (SPF, DKIM and DMARC). These checks protect your reputation and help your email reach the inbox instead of the spam folder.
Domain checks are done once per domain and shared by every mailbox on that domain. Each mailbox still completes its own connection and authentication check.
Who can use this¶
- Owners and managers complete Sending readiness from a mailbox's details page.
- Only the owner can open Settings → Sending domains to see every domain at once.
Before you start¶
- A connected mailbox on the domain.
- Access to your domain's DNS settings (at your domain registrar or DNS host), or someone who can add records for you.
Key concepts¶
The checks¶
| Check | What it confirms |
|---|---|
| Ownership | A one-time Cadensiq TXT record proves your organization controls the domain. |
| MX | The domain can receive email, so replies reach you. |
| SPF | The domain lists which servers may send its email. Exactly one SPF record must exist. |
| DMARC | The domain publishes a DMARC policy. |
| DKIM DNS | The DKIM record your mailbox provider requires is published. |
| Real-message authentication | A real test message from this mailbox passed SPF, DKIM and DMARC alignment. |
Each check shows Passed, Pending, Checking, Retrying, Needs recheck or Needs attention. The mailbox shows Ready to send only when every check has passed.
The ownership record¶
Add this TXT record at your DNS provider. The exact token for your domain is shown on screen; copy it from there.
| Type | Host / name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| TXT | _cadensiq-verification.example.com |
cadensiq-verification=<your token> |
Safe to add
This TXT record is additive. It does not change or remove any existing DNS records. Some DNS providers add your domain name automatically; if so, enter only _cadensiq-verification as the host.
How to prepare a mailbox for sending¶
- Open Mailboxes and select the mailbox (View details).
- Find Sending readiness — Prepare this mailbox for sending.
- Under Domain ownership, select View DNS record. Use Copy next to the host and the value, and add the TXT record at your DNS provider.
- Back in Cadensiq, select Check DNS. DNS changes can take from a few minutes to a few hours to become visible. If the check doesn't pass yet, try Check again later.
- When ownership is confirmed, review MX, SPF, DMARC and DKIM DNS. Each check that is not passing tells you what to add or fix. Ask your email host for the correct SPF and DKIM values if you don't have them.
- Under Real-message authentication, select Verify email authentication. Cadensiq sends one controlled message from this mailbox and checks how it was authenticated. This can take a few minutes; you can leave the page and it updates on its own.
- When every check shows Passed, the mailbox shows Ready to send and "Congratulations — mailbox checks are complete".
How to review all domains¶
- Go to Settings → Workspace and select Open sending domains.
- The Domains & mailbox readiness table shows each Domain, its Status (Ownership verified or Ownership setup required), the number of Mailboxes and the Last check.
- Select Check DNS on a row to run the domain checks again, or Refresh to reload the list.
Rules to know¶
- A domain must have exactly one SPF record. Two SPF records count as a failure.
- Verifying the domain does not make every mailbox on it ready automatically; each mailbox needs its own real-message authentication check.
- If your DNS provider is temporarily unreachable, a previously passed check is kept and marked for a recheck. After three failed checks in a row, new sends stop until the domain checks pass again.
- Editing a mailbox's sender details does not reset domain ownership or authentication results.
What happens next¶
Once the mailbox is Ready to send, you can choose it as the sender on a campaign, send test emails from Review & Launch, and launch.
Common questions¶
| Symptom | Cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership stays Pending | The TXT record isn't visible yet, or the host name was entered twice (for example _cadensiq-verification.example.com.example.com) |
Wait a while, check the record at your DNS provider, then Check again. |
| SPF needs attention | No SPF record, more than one, or it doesn't include your email host | Merge into a single SPF record that includes your email host. |
| DMARC needs attention | No DMARC record at _dmarc.example.com |
Add a DMARC record, then check again. |
| Real-message authentication failed | The test message didn't pass SPF, DKIM or DMARC alignment | Fix the records shown, then select Verify email authentication again. |
| "Authentication verification needs administrator setup" | The verification service is not available right now | Contact Cadensiq support. |
| "Domain check needs a retry" | DNS was temporarily unavailable | Your workspace is safe. Try again shortly. |
