Sending from a free email address

Why delivery suffers

• You cannot authenticate a free domain. Its DNS records belong to the provider, not you, so a Public domain has no DNS records section in Stampede.
• Inboxes run a check called DMARC: does the domain in the from address match the domain that actually sent the message? A campaign sent for a gmail.com address does not match, and free providers tell inboxes to junk mail that fails.
• Gmail and Yahoo tightened their rules for bulk senders in 2024, and campaigns from free addresses feel it first.
• Inbox features that show your logo beside the message only work on a domain you own.

What to do instead

1. Add a sender address on your own domain in Domains.
2. Authenticate the domain by adding its DNS records, as in emails going to spam, until the status reads Success.
3. On the domain page, click the three dots on the address's row, then Make default.

Check it worked

Your new address shows Success under Status and a Default badge, and your campaigns now send from your own domain.

Good to know

• A Public domain needs no verifying or authenticating in Stampede: there is nothing of yours to authenticate.
• An address on a free domain still needs its verification email clicked before it can send.
• You can keep sending from a free address, but expect more of your email in spam and results that vary by inbox.
• You can buy a domain from any registrar and use it for your website too.
• Only Admin, Moderator and Marketing can see Marketing.