How to Add Audienceful's Email DNS Records in IONOS

This guide shows how to add the DNS records Audienceful gives you in IONOS (1&1 IONOS). 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 IONOS

1. Sign in to your IONOS account and open the Menu.
2. Go to Domains & SSL.
3. Click the domain you're setting up.
4. Open the DNS section — you'll see your records with an Add record button.

IONOS quirks to know

• Host name field appends your domain automatically. In IONOS's Host name field, enter only the part before your domain — e.g. pdk1._domainkey or email. For the root domain, use @. Never type the full hostname (like email.yourdomain.com) or you'll get a doubled domain such as email.yourdomain.com.yourdomain.com.
• IONOS labels the value field "Points to" / "Value." Choose the record Type first (CNAME, TXT, MX), then fill it in.
• IONOS often ships pre-existing records. Many IONOS domains already have a TXT record starting with v=spf1. You cannot have two SPF records — merge Audienceful's include:mailgun.org into the existing one (see below).
• No trailing dot in the CNAME "Points to" value — 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 Host name becomes pdk1._domainkey.mail.)

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

• Type: TXT
• Host name: @ (or your subdomain label)
• Points to / Value: v=spf1 include:mailgun.org ~all

If IONOS already shows a v=spf1 TXT record, 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
• Host name: email
• Points to / Value: mailgun.org

DMARC — one TXT record (recommended)

• Type: TXT
• Host name: _dmarc
• Points to / 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 Host 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 IONOS

• Leaving an existing IONOS SPF record in place alongside ours. Merge them into one record.
• Typing the full host (pdk1._domainkey.yourdomain.com) — IONOS appends your domain, so enter just pdk1._domainkey.
• Adding a trailing dot to the CNAME "Points to" 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.