If you have your own custom domain, you can connect it to Clearstream to start sending your emails through. It's a great way to segment your email traffic, keep your links on-brand, and improve deliverability.
To do so, you'll need to connect Clearstream to your domain provider by adding new DNS records. Just follow the steps below!
Open your Custom Domain settings in Clearstream
First, you'll need to enter your custom domain into Clearstream. This will generate the needed DNS records you'll copy into your domain provider.
Quick Steps: Log in > Settings > Email > Set up next to Custom Domain > Enter your domain name
Log in to your Clearstream account.
Go to Settings in the left menu.
Click Email.
Click Set up next to Custom Domain, and enter your domain name.
Keep the tab open and continue with the steps below.
Open your DNS Records in your provider
Next, you'll need to open your DNS records in your domain provider (we made specific guides for how to add DNS records for GoDaddy, NameCheap, and Squarespace). In general, the process is:
Log in to your provider.
Navigate to your domain.
Open the DNS records.
Keep your domain provider open, then follow the steps below.
Add the DNS records
You'll need to toggle back and forth between your domain provider and Clearstream, so we recommend keeping both tabs open side by side.
Sign your emails (DKIM)
This record adds a hidden signature to your emails that verifies they came from you and were not tampered with after sending.
(Domain provider) Click Add New Record, then enter the Type as CNAME.
(Clearstream) On the Domain Settings page, look at the first row of information under Sign your emails (DKIM).
Copy the information under Name into your domain provider. Then, copy the info from the Value column into your domain provider.
(Domain provider) Click Save to add the new record.
Repeat the above steps for the second and third CNAME rows.
Authorize Clearstream as a sender (SPF)
This record tells email providers that Clearstream is allowed to send emails on your behalf.
(Domain provider) Click Add New Record, then enter the Type as MX.
(Clearstream) On the Domain Settings page, look at the first row of information under Authorize Clearstream as a sender (SPF).
Copy the information under the Name and Value columns into your domain provider. Then, copy and paste the Priority information.
(Domain provider) Click Save to add the new record.
(Domain provider) Click Add New Record, then click Type, then select TXT.
(Clearstream) Look at the second row under Authorize Clearstream as a sender (SPF).
Copy the information under Name into your domain provider. Then, copy and paste the info from the Value column.
(Domain provider) Click Save to add the new record.
Protect against spoofing (DMARC) (Optional)
This record tells email providers what to do with emails that aren't verified or sent by Clearstream, so spammers can't spoof your email address. This is recommended, but not required.
(Domain provider) Click Add New Record, then enter the Type as TXT.
(Clearstream) On the Domain Settings page, look at the first row of information under Protect against spoofing (DMARC).
Copy the information under Name into your domain provider. Then, copy and paste the info from the Value column.
(Domain provider) Click Save to add the new record.
Track opens and clicks using your domain (Optional)
Routes open and click tracking through your domain instead of Clearstream's shared domain. We recommend doing this to improve deliverability, but you don't have to.
(Domain provider) Click Add New Record, then enter the Type as CNAME.
(Clearstream) On the Domain Settings page, look at the first row of information under Sign your emails (DKIM).
Copy and paste the information under the Name and Value columns into your domain provider.
(Domain provider) Click Save to add the new record.
Validate your new sending domain
(Clearstream) After you've added all of the above domain records, click Check for records at the top of the Domain Settings page.
That's it!
If you have any trouble, reach out to our support team. We're available via the purple chat icon in minutes!