Guides · Updated 2026-10-11

Mailchimp DMARC and domain authentication setup

Mailchimp campaigns pass DMARC through DKIM alignment. Mailchimp uses its own envelope (Return-Path) domain, so SPF won't align for you.

Steps

1. In Mailchimp, go to Domains (under your account or Website settings), verify your sending domain, then choose Start Authentication.
2. Mailchimp shows CNAME records for DKIM (for example a k2._domainkey selector pointing to a Mailchimp host). Add exactly the values shown in your account.
3. If your domain has no DMARC record, Mailchimp will prompt you to add one. Use our generator.
4. Click Authenticate once DNS has updated.

Our checker looks for Mailchimp's common k2 and k3 selectors, so you can confirm they're live.

Sources

• Mailchimp: Set up email domain authentication
• RFC 7489: DMARC

This guide is general information, not legal or professional advice. Provider screens change; always confirm the exact values shown in your own account.