How to Add Audienceful's Email DNS Records in HostGator

This guide shows how to add the DNS records Audienceful gives you in HostGator. 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 HostGator

1. Sign in to HostGator and open cPanel.
2. Under Domains, open Zone Editor (or Advanced Zone Editor).
3. Find the domain you want to edit and choose Manage / + Add Record.

HostGator quirks to know

• The domain's nameservers must point to HostGator. These records only take effect if your DNS is managed at HostGator. If your nameservers point elsewhere, add the records at whichever provider manages your DNS instead.
• It's a cPanel-style zone editor that appends your domain automatically. In the host/name field, enter only the part before your domain (e.g. pdk1._domainkey, email). For the root domain, use @. Never paste the full hostname or you'll get a doubled domain like email.example.com.example.com.
• No trailing dot on CNAME values — enter mailgun.org, not mailgun.org..

Add each record

Use Add Record, pick 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: @ (or your subdomain label)
• Value: v=spf1 include:mailgun.org ~all

You can only have one SPF record. If a TXT record starting with v=spf1 already exists, edit that record instead of adding a second 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 @. Don't add these if you already receive mail at this domain (e.g. Google Workspace) — two sets of MX records conflict.

Common mistakes in HostGator

• Nameservers pointed elsewhere. If your domain doesn't use HostGator's nameservers, editing the Zone Editor here does nothing — add the records where your DNS is managed.
• Entering the full host (pdk1._domainkey.yourdomain.com) — the cPanel zone editor appends your domain, producing a doubled domain. Enter just pdk1._domainkey.
• 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 to propagate) and check again. Full troubleshooting is in the main guide.