SPF, DKIM and DMARC for Help Scout

Short answer: Help Scout mail passes Gmail, Yahoo and Microsoft checks when you turn on DKIM with your own domain and publish a DMARC record at _dmarc (start with p=none). The exact records and clicks are below.

SPF	—	Not needed since 2024: Help Scout sends with its own return-path address, so SPF passes but can't align with your domain. You can remove an old `include:helpscoutemail.com` from your SPF record (keep your other senders). DMARC passes through DKIM instead.
DKIM	CNAME / TXT	Two CNAME records: `strong1._domainkey` → `strong1._domainkey.helpscout.net` and `strong2._domainkey` → `strong2._domainkey.helpscout.net`. They are the same for every Help Scout customer.
DMARC	TXT at `_dmarc`	v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com Start with `p=none` and a mailbox you read, or a free report address that turns the reports into a dashboard; build your own.

Step by step

Add the two DKIM CNAME records at your DNS host.
In Help Scout open Settings → Inboxes → your inbox → Outgoing Email and click Test Settings.
When the record is found, the DKIM status changes to Active. Not yet? Wait an hour and test again.
No DMARC record yet? Publish one at _dmarc with p=none and watch the reports before enforcing.

Mistakes that break it

Only needed when Help Scout sends from your own address through its servers. Sending through your own mail provider (SMTP or OAuth)? Then that provider's SPF and DKIM apply instead.
Most DNS panels (GoDaddy, Cloudflare) want only strong1._domainkey in the host field; cPanel wants the full name with a trailing dot.
On Cloudflare, set both CNAMEs to DNS only (grey cloud), not proxied.
Without DKIM, a DMARC quarantine or reject policy sends your support replies to spam, because SPF alone no longer aligns.

Check that it worked

After the fix, keep an eye on it: free DMARC monitoring shows every service that sends mail as your domain and which ones fail, in plain English.

Rather not touch DNS? I set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC without breaking your other senders, with a before/after report.

Get it fixed on Fiverr

Prefer to do it yourself? Get the step-by-step Fix Kit ($15) – 19-page guide, checklist, 20+ providers.

Other setup guides

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