đź’ˇ What is DKIM?

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is an email authentication method that:

  • Digitally signs your outgoing emails using a private key

  • Allows the recipient’s mail server (like Gmail) to verify the signature using your public DKIM key in DNS

  • Confirms that:

    • The email really came from your domain

    • It wasn’t altered in transit

âś… Why DKIM is Necessary

Without DKIM:

  • Spammers or attackers can forge your domain to send phishing emails

  • Your emails might get flagged as “suspicious” or “spoofed”

  • You lose control over your domain’s reputation

With DKIM:

  • Your domain says: “I vouch for this email”

  • Email services (like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) trust your messages more

  • It improves deliverability, helping you land in the inbox, not spam

📢 Why Google Requires DKIM (as of February 2024)

Google (Gmail) introduced stricter rules for bulk email senders and even regular domains that send to Gmail accounts.

Here’s why:

đźš« 1. Combat Spoofing and Phishing

  • Without DKIM, bad actors can pretend to be your domain

  • Google wants to protect users from fake messages

📬 2. Improve Email Trust and Deliverability

  • Google is pushing for authenticated email across the internet

  • DKIM, SPF, and DMARC help Google decide which emails are safe

📉 3. Unverified Emails = Lower Reputation

  • If you send unauthenticated emails to Gmail users, Google may:

    • Mark them as spam

    • Or block them entirely

⚠️ What Happens If You Don’t Enable DKIM?

  • Your emails may be flagged as unverified

  • You risk inbox placement issues, even if you’re sending legit content

  • Gmail may eventually block your domain for sending unauthenticated mail

âś… Summary

DKIM is essential for protecting your brand, improving email deliverability, and complying with major providers like Google.

Think of it as sealing your letter with a signature. Without it, Gmail might toss it straight into spam — or reject it entirely.