Set-up self-authentication / custom DKIM

* Quick Note.  No action is necessary - solution 1 in the following article has already been implemented on your behalf to ensure that your email sending will not be interrupted and that you are abiding by the new regulations.  If you'd like to gain a better understanding of that solution, or if you own your domain and would like to set up custom DKIM, please dive in below.

What is happening:

The world of email has always had its share of fraudulent messages and spammers, but recently many email providers (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) have been taking a much stronger stance against this type of email abuse. A major blow to spam comes from blocking emails that claim to come from one provider when they actually originate from another.  

This is a positive change for all because it means all of our inboxes will be that much more secure and free from spam and fraudulent emails posing to be from these providers, but it also has an impact on email marketing systems like ours. 

BombBomb (or any other 3rd party for that matter) can no longer say they're sending directly from email providers such as @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, or other domains that are configured with DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) to stop 3rd-party sending.  If you want to read more on the exact changes Gmail is making then take a look at this article.

What this means for you:

• If you send from a standard email address (@gmail, @yahoo, @outlook, or other free email service) then you don't need to do anything.  BombBomb has already been hard at work with a solution, mapped out in solution 1 below, to make sure that your emails are still being sent out and will abide by the new authentication requirements.
• If you send from a personalized email address/domain that you have purchased (@kevinrealtor.com, @jimforthewin.com, @coloradosales.com, etc) then there is an additional step that you may take.  It is not required but allows you to self-authenticate through custom DKIM on your email to potentially improve your email sending.  This process is explained in solution 2 below.

What to do:

Solution 1. You do nothing while BombBomb automatically implements the 'Send On Behalf Of' system for you.

• This means that the actual 'from' address on the email will be altered. Say your email is 'bombbomb@aol.com,' we'll change it to 'bombbomb.aol.com@send.bbemaildelivery.com.' This way those email providers won't automatically block the message.
• We'll set this to be your default so that this process will automatically happen every time you send an email.
• You don't need to do anything for this to be activated on your account.  BombBomb has already taken the steps to put this in place for you.

*Pro tip: With this new system, the important details will be the same for the recipient.  Even though the 'from' address changes, the 'reply-to' address and the 'from name' will remain your own so it won't confuse your recipients and you won't miss out on any replies.

Solution 2. Self-authenticating your email using Custom DKIM setup

• If you have a team and have questions about setting up custom DKIM, please contact us at delivery@bombbomb.com to speak with our deliverability department.  Due to the complexity of these changes, it's important for you to have your IT department involved as you will need access to deeper permissions in your email system.