How to Add Audienceful's Email DNS Records in Namecheap
This guide shows how to add the DNS records Audienceful gives you in Namecheap. First, add your domain in Audienceful (Settings → Domains → New) so you have your exact records — the DKIM values are unique to your domain. For what each record does, see the main custom domain guide.
Find your DNS settings in Namecheap
- Sign in to Namecheap and go to Domain List, then click Manage next to your domain.
- Open the Advanced DNS tab.
- Use Add New Record under the Host Records section.
This only works if your domain uses Namecheap BasicDNS (shown on the Domain tab under Nameservers). If your nameservers point elsewhere, add the records at that DNS host instead.
Namecheap quirks to know
- The Host field appends your domain. Enter only the part before your domain (e.g.
pdk1._domainkey,email). For the root domain, use@. - No trailing dot on CNAME "Target" values — Namecheap adds it. Enter
mailgun.org. - Check your Mail Settings. On the Advanced DNS tab, the Mail Settings dropdown should be set to Custom MX or left as-is — if it's set to Namecheap's Email Forwarding or Private Email, it injects its own MX/SPF records that can conflict.
Add each record
For each, click Add New Record, choose the Type, and copy the value exactly from your Audienceful Domains screen.
DKIM — two CNAME records
| Field | Record 1 | Record 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | CNAME Record | CNAME Record |
| Host | pdk1._domainkey |
pdk2._domainkey |
| Target | (the target shown in Audienceful) | (the target shown in Audienceful) |
(On a subdomain like mail.yourdomain.com, the Host becomes pdk1._domainkey.mail.)
SPF — one TXT record
- Type: TXT Record
- Host:
@(or your subdomain label) - Value:
v=spf1 include:mailgun.org ~all
Already have a v=spf1 record? Edit it and add include:mailgun.org — only one SPF record is allowed.
Tracking — one CNAME record
- Type: CNAME Record
- Host:
email - Target:
mailgun.org
DMARC — one TXT record (recommended)
- Type: TXT Record
- Host:
_dmarc - Value:
v=DMARC1; p=none;
MX — optional, only if this domain doesn't already receive email
Add the mxa.mailgun.org / mxb.mailgun.org records shown in Audienceful as MX Record type with Host @. Skip them if you already receive mail here.
Common mistakes in Namecheap
- A conflicting Mail Settings option (Email Forwarding / Private Email) adding its own SPF or MX.
- Typing the full host instead of just
pdk1._domainkey. - Two SPF records — merge into one.
Verify
Back in Audienceful, click Verify domain. If records aren't green, wait a few minutes and try again (DNS can take up to 24 hours). Full troubleshooting is in the main guide.