How to Set Up DKIM for Klaviyo

Klaviyo is one of the most popular email marketing platforms for e-commerce businesses. Setting up DKIM ensures your marketing emails, abandoned cart sequences, and transactional emails reach your customers' inboxes instead of spam folders.

Why Set Up DKIM in Klaviyo

Without domain authentication:

• Emails show "via klaviyomail.com"
• Deliverability may suffer, especially for promotional emails
• Your sender reputation depends on Klaviyo's shared IP reputation

With DKIM (dedicated sending domain):

• Emails appear to come directly from your brand
• Better inbox placement for marketing campaigns
• Build your own sender reputation
• Required for high-volume senders

Before You Start

You'll need:

• A Klaviyo account (available on all paid plans)
• Access to your domain's DNS settings
• Admin access to Klaviyo

Step-by-Step Setup

Verify Your Setup

After Klaviyo shows verification complete, test the DKIM records publicly.

Test: kl._domainkey.yourdomain.com

Klaviyo DKIM Selectors

Klaviyo typically uses these selectors:

• kl (primary)
• kl2 (secondary/backup)

The exact selectors are shown in your Klaviyo dashboard during setup.

Common Issues and Solutions

"Pending" verification status

Cause: DNS hasn't propagated or records are misconfigured.

Solutions:

• Wait 15-30 minutes (up to 48 hours in rare cases)
• Verify both CNAME records exist
• Check that the host field doesn't duplicate your domain
• Ensure you're using CNAME records, not TXT

CNAME record conflicts

Cause: A record already exists at that hostname.

Solutions:

• Check for existing records and remove conflicts
• Ensure no A or AAAA records exist at the same hostname
• CNAME records cannot coexist with other record types at the same name

Emails still failing DKIM

Cause: Wrong From address or configuration issue.

Solutions:

• Ensure your From address uses the authenticated domain
• Check that Klaviyo shows the domain as "Verified"
• Wait for full propagation before testing

Dedicated vs Shared Sending

Shared Sending (default):

• Sends from Klaviyo's domain
• Lower initial reputation building
• Emails show "via klaviyomail.com"

Dedicated Sending Domain:

• Sends from your domain
• Full control over sender reputation
• Better branding and deliverability
• Recommended for all serious e-commerce

E-commerce Deliverability Tips

For Klaviyo users specifically:

1. Warm up your domain: Start with engaged subscribers, gradually increase volume
2. Segment by engagement: Send to active subscribers first
3. Monitor metrics: Watch open rates, click rates, and bounce rates in Klaviyo
4. Clean your list: Remove unengaged subscribers regularly
5. Authenticate everything: Set up DKIM, SPF, and DMARC

Complete Your Email Authentication

Klaviyo's dedicated sending domain handles DKIM. Also configure:

SPF: Klaviyo's CNAME setup includes SPF alignment through the return-path record. If you need to add Klaviyo to an existing SPF record:

include:_spf.klaviyo.com

Check at spfrecordcheck.com.

DMARC: Set up a DMARC policy. Check at dmarcrecordchecker.com.

Monitor Your DKIM Records

Checking once is good. Monitoring continuously is better. The Email Deliverability Suite watches your SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and MX records daily and alerts you when something breaks.