Step‑by‑Step: Adding DKIM to a WordPress Site for Better Email Deliverability

Updated 2026-07-13 · Hosting Reviews

There is nothing more frustrating than spending an hour crafting a perfect client proposal or newsletter, only for it to land straight in the spam folder. If you're running a business, your email reputation is everything. To fix this, you need to add DKIM to your WordPress site for better email deliverability.

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is essentially a digital signature. It tells the receiving mail server that the email actually came from your domain and wasn't tampered with in transit. Without it, many providers (like Gmail and Outlook) view your emails with suspicion.

The Essentials: Hosting, Domains, and Business Email

Before you can configure DKIM, you need a professional foundation. Sending business emails from a @gmail.com or @yahoo.com address looks amateur and often triggers spam filters. You need a professional Domain & Business Email setup.

To get started, you'll need three things: a domain name (your address on the web), a hosting plan (where your website files live), and a business email account. For beginners and small businesses, I highly recommend Hostinger. They offer a streamlined experience with fast servers, free SSL certificates, and one-click WordPress installation, which saves you hours of manual configuration.

When choosing hosting, you'll see a few options. Shared hosting is usually plenty for new sites, typically ranging from $3 to $10 per month. If you expect massive traffic spikes, Cloud hosting ($10 to $25/month) offers more stability. VPS is generally overkill for a standard WordPress business site. Just keep in mind that intro prices are often lower than renewal rates.

How to Generate Your DKIM Record

You don't write a DKIM record yourself; your email provider generates it for you. If you are using a professional email service through Hostinger, the process is simplified because your email and DNS are in the same place.

First, log into your email control panel. Look for a section labeled "Email Delivery," "DNS Settings," or "Authentication." You are looking for a TXT record that starts with s=arc or contains a public key string. This string is the "key" that the rest of the internet uses to verify your identity.

If you are using a third-party SMTP plugin for WordPress (like WP Mail SMTP), the plugin will often provide the specific DKIM record you need to add to your DNS settings to ensure your site's automated notifications actually reach your customers.

Step-by-Step: Add DKIM to WordPress Site Email Deliverability

Once you have your DKIM key, you need to place it in your DNS (Domain Name System) settings. This is the "phonebook" of the internet that tells servers where to find your site and how to handle your mail.

1. Log into your hosting dashboard (e.g., Hostinger hPanel).
2. Navigate to the DNS Zone Editor.
3. Select TXT as the record type.
4. In the Name/Host field, enter the selector provided by your email host (usually something like default._domainkey).
5. In the Value field, paste the long string of text (the public key) provided by your email service.
6. Set the TTL (Time to Live) to the default setting and click Add Record.

After saving, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours for the change to propagate across the internet.

Testing Your Email Authentication

Adding the record is only half the battle; you need to verify that it's working. You don't have to guess if your emails are hitting the inbox. There are several free tools available to test your deliverability.

I recommend using a tool like Mail-Tester.com. They provide a unique email address; you send a test email from your WordPress site to that address, and they give you a score out of 10. They will specifically tell you if your DKIM signature is valid or if there is a syntax error in your DNS record.

While you're at it, check your SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DMARC records. DKIM works best as part of a trio. SPF lists who is allowed to send mail, DKIM signs the mail, and DMARC tells the server what to do if the first two fail.

Maintaining Long-Term Deliverability

Setting up DKIM isn't a "set it and forget it" task. Your email reputation depends on how people interact with your mail. To keep your deliverability high, avoid using "spammy" words in your subject lines (like "FREE CASH NOW") and always provide a clear unsubscribe link.

Additionally, ensure your WordPress site is secure. A hacked site that starts sending thousands of spam emails will get your domain blacklisted, regardless of your DKIM settings. Using a host like Hostinger ensures you have basic security and SSL built-in, which keeps both your site and your email reputation safe.

FAQ

Do I really need DKIM if I have SPF?

Yes. SPF only verifies the server IP sending the mail, while DKIM verifies the content of the email itself. Many modern mail servers require both to ensure the email hasn't been spoofed or altered.

Will adding DKIM slow down my website?

Not at all. DKIM is a DNS-level configuration. It happens between mail servers and has zero impact on your WordPress site's loading speed or server performance.

What happens if I enter the DKIM record incorrectly?

If the record is incorrect, the receiving server will simply ignore the signature. In some cases, it might actually increase the chance of your mail being marked as spam. This is why using a testing tool is critical after setup.