Why Salesforce Email Sending Now Requires Domain Verification & DKIM (Complete Guide)

May 03, 2026

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Why Salesforce Email Sending Now Requires Domain Verification & DKIM (Complete Guide)

Summarize this blog post with:

In the latest releases, Salesforce has taken email security to the next level. The simple act of sending emails from the platform now involves a more secure, multi-step setup process.

With the introduction of Domain Verification & DKIM, Salesforce ensures that only trusted and authenticated domains can send emails, improving overall deliverability and security.

If you are getting “Domain is not verified” error anytime recently, you are not alone. Let’s dissect the changes, why they matter and how to address them.

How It Worked Earlier?

In the past, the process of sending emails from Salesforce wasn’t too complicated:

You could configure an email domain in Setup
Verify it once (or sometimes even skip deeper validation)
Start sending emails to users directly

There was little authentication required, making the process fast but not very secure.

What Has Changed Now?

Salesforce has introduced enhanced email security measures to prevent:

Email spoofing
Phishing attacks
Unauthorized use of domains

Now, if you try to send an email without proper configuration, you may see:

“Domain is not verified”

This means Salesforce will block outgoing emails until proper authentication is completed.

Why Did Salesforce Introduce These Changes?

These updated are in line with global email security standards and include:

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
DMARC policies

Key reasons:

Protect sender reputation
Improve email deliverability
Prevent domain misuse
Work with modern email providers (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)

In short, Salesforce is making sure only trusted domains are able to send emails, establishing better trust and security.

Also Read

Don’t forget to check out: Queueable vs Batch Apex vs Future: Choosing the Right Async Tool in Salesforce

What You Need to Do Now (Step-by-Step Process)

Correct the error and send email by the following updated procedure:

1. Verify Your Domain

Go to Setup → DKIM Keys / Domain Management
Add your domain (e.g., yourcompany.com)
Salesforce provides DNS records

You have to add these records in your domain registrar (like GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc).

2. Configure DKIM

DKIM ensures that emails sent from Salesforce are digitally signed and trusted.

Steps:

Generate DKIM key in Salesforce
Copy the CNAME records
Add them to your DNS settings

3. Wait for DNS Propagation

It may take a few minutes to 24–48 hours
Salesforce will automatically check verification status

4. Activate DKIM

Once DNS records are verified:

The “Activate” button becomes enabled
Click Activate

This step is critical, without activation, emails still won’t send.

5. Test Email Sending

Send a test email
Ensure no “Domain not verified” error appears

What Happens If You Skip This?

If DKIM and domain verification are not done:

Emails will fail to send
Users won’t receive notifications
Your domain may be flagged as untrusted

Key Difference: Before vs Now

Here’s a quick comparison of how things have changed:

Feature	Earlier	Now
Domain Verification	Basic / Optional	Mandatory
Email Sending	Direct	Restricted until verified
Security	Low	High
DKIM Requirement	Not required	Required
Error Handling	Minimal	Strict (Domain not verified)

Pro Tips

Always configure DKIM + SPF together
Use a dedicated email domain if possible
Monitor email logs in Salesforce
Keep DNS records updated

Conclusion

Salesforce’s new model for email security may seem a bit complicated initially, but it’s a good step toward safe, trusted communications.

With domain verification & DKIM , you can be sure:

Better deliverability
Higher trust
Compliance with global email standards

Once properly configured, the system works smoothly, and your emails will reach users without issues.

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Written by

Mohit Bansal

Contributor of the month

Antonina Kharchenko

Technical Writer, Salesforce Admin at SFApps.info

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