Domain Verification
Domain verification proves that you own the domain used in your sender email address (for example, noreply@yourdomain.com).
Until your domain is verified, Arsel rejects email requests sent from that domain.
Required DNS records
| Record | Purpose |
|---|---|
| SPF (TXT) | Authorizes sending servers for your domain |
| DKIM (CNAME/TXT) | Cryptographically signs outgoing messages |
| DMARC (TXT) | Defines how receiving servers handle authentication failures |
Verify your domain
You need access to the Arsel Dashboard and permission to add DNS records for the domain.
- In the Arsel Dashboard, open Domains and click Add Domain.
- Enter your domain (for example,
yourdomain.com) and copy the DNS records Arsel shows. - In your DNS provider, add each record exactly as shown — same Type (TXT, CNAME), same Host/Name (such as
@,_dmarc, or your DKIM selector), same Value/Target. Leave TTL at the default, or set it low (for example 300 seconds). - Wait for DNS propagation — often 5–30 minutes, sometimes a few hours. The status in the dashboard updates automatically once the records are valid.
- Send a test email from the domain to confirm it is accepted (
202 Accepted).
The same steps are available through the API: Create Domain returns the DNS records, and Verify Domain checks them on demand.
caution
Do not create duplicate SPF TXT records for the same host. SPF should exist as one TXT record per host.
For provider-specific steps, see the DNS Providers section.
Verification status
| Status | Meaning | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | Arsel is still checking DNS records | Confirm records are published publicly and wait. Status updates automatically. |
| Verified | DNS authentication records are valid | Start sending emails from this domain. |
| Failed | DNS records did not validate within the verification window (around 72 hours after adding the domain) | This status is final — the platform will not re-check the domain. To retry, delete the domain and add it again. Doing so generates new DKIM records that you must update in your DNS provider. |
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Domain stuck in pending | DNS propagation not complete, or a record does not match | Re-check each record against Arsel's values. Verification keeps retrying on its own for about 72 hours after the domain is added. |
| SPF invalid | Multiple SPF records or wrong include value | Keep one SPF TXT record and include Arsel-required value. |
| DKIM not found | Selector host copied incorrectly | Re-copy selector/host from Arsel and republish record exactly. |
| DMARC parse error | Invalid syntax | Start record with v=DMARC1; and validate tag format. |
| Domain marked Failed | DNS did not validate within the 72-hour verification window | Delete the domain and add it again. Copy the new DKIM records to your DNS provider — the original DKIM records are no longer valid. |