BetaSet a custom return-path for email sending domains

After you've connected an email sending domain, you can further improve email deliverability by setting a custom return-path. When marketing emails you've sent bounce, the bounce messages will be sent to the subdomain you connect as your return-path.

This will allow for SPF alignment and help prove that your emails come from a trusted source. 

Understand requirements

• To connect your domain, you will need to update your DNS records. Ensure you have login details for your DNS provider and access to the associated DNS records.
• With strict DMARC alignment, a custom return-path is only supported if your email sending domain uses a subdomain. For example, it would work if you send emails from user@mail.company.com but not user@company.com. 
• Custom return-paths can only use subdomains that do not already have MX or CNAME records configured for another email provider. 

Understand SPF alignment

SPF alignment determines how closely your return-path domain needs to match your From address to pass DMARC authentication.

There are two alignment options: 

• Relaxed: an email's return-path only needs to match the root domain of the From address. 

  • For example, if your emails are sent from employee@hubspot.com, setting a return-path of @mail.hubspot.com would work. 

  • If your DNS records contain a TXT record for _dmarc.[domain].com that has aspf=r or no aspr tag, your DMARC policy is relaxed. 

• Strict: an email's return-path must match the domain in the From address exactly, with no difference in subdomain. 
  • For example, if your emails are sent from employee@mail.hubspot.com, only a return-path of @mail.hubspot.com would be allowed under strict alignment. 
  • If your DNS records contain a TXT record for _dmarc.[domain].com that has aspf=s, your DMARC policy is strict. 

Set a custom return-path subdomain

1. In your HubSpot account, click the settings icon in the top navigation bar.
2. In the left sidebar menu, navigate to Content > Domains & URLs.
3. Click the Email Sending tab. 
4. Next to an email sending domain, click the Actions dropdown menu and select Add return-path domain. 
5. In the dialog box, enter a subdomain, then click Next. Commonly used subdomains for custom return-paths include bounce, mail, and return.
6. Add the provided DNS records to your DNS provider.
7. Click Verify. 

It can take up to 48 hours for your DNS records to be verified. Until verification is complete, your email sending domain will use the HubSpot default return-path.