How to Add Audienceful's Email DNS Records in DreamHost

This guide shows how to add the DNS records Audienceful gives you in DreamHost. First, add your domain in Audienceful (Settings → Domains → New) so you have your exact records on screen — the DKIM values are unique to your domain. For what each record does, see the main custom domain guide.

Find your DNS settings in DreamHost

1. Sign in to the DreamHost panel and go to Domains → Manage Domains.
2. Find your domain and click DNS beneath it.
3. Scroll to Add a custom record — DreamHost lists its own auto-created records above, and you add yours below them.

DreamHost quirks to know

• DreamHost only manages DNS if the domain's nameservers point to DreamHost. If you use a different DNS host, add these records there instead. Check your registrar's nameserver settings if you're unsure.
• Name field appends your domain automatically. In DreamHost's Name field, enter only the part before your domain — e.g. pdk1._domainkey or email. For the root domain, leave the Name blank. Never type the full hostname (like email.yourdomain.com) or you'll get a doubled domain such as email.yourdomain.com.yourdomain.com.
• DreamHost auto-creates some of its own records. Leave those in place and add yours as custom records — but check for an existing SPF first.
• No trailing dot in the CNAME value field — enter mailgun.org, not mailgun.org..
• Only one SPF record is allowed. If a TXT record starting with v=spf1 already exists, edit/merge rather than adding a second one (see below).

Add each record

Use Add a custom record, choose the Type, and fill in the fields. Copy every value exactly from your Audienceful Domains screen.

DKIM — two CNAME records

(On a subdomain like mail.yourdomain.com, the Name becomes pdk1._domainkey.mail.)

SPF — one TXT record (merge if you already have one)

• Type: TXT
• Name: leave blank for the root domain (or your subdomain label)
• Value: v=spf1 include:mailgun.org ~all

If a v=spf1 TXT record already exists, edit that record instead of adding a new one, and add the Mailgun include — for example: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:mailgun.org ~all.

Tracking — one CNAME record

• Type: CNAME
• Name: email
• Value: mailgun.org

DMARC — one TXT record (recommended)

• Type: TXT
• Name: _dmarc
• Value: v=DMARC1; p=none;

(Skip if you already have a _dmarc record.)

MX — optional, only if this domain doesn't already receive email

Add the two MX records shown in Audienceful (mxa.mailgun.org and mxb.mailgun.org) with priority 10 and Name blank (the root domain). Don't add these if you already receive mail at this domain (e.g. Google Workspace or DreamHost email) — two sets of MX records conflict.

Common mistakes in DreamHost

• Adding DNS records in DreamHost when your nameservers point elsewhere — the records will have no effect. Add them at your actual DNS host.
• Entering the full host (pdk1._domainkey.yourdomain.com) — DreamHost appends your domain, so enter just pdk1._domainkey.
• Adding a second SPF record instead of merging into the existing one.
• Adding a trailing dot to the CNAME value.

Verify

Back in Audienceful, click Verify domain. If a record isn't green yet, wait a few minutes (DNS can take up to 24 hours) and check again. Full troubleshooting is in the main guide.