DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM)

What is it?

What is it?

"DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM)" is an email authentication mechanism that allows senders to digitally sign outgoing emails with cryptographic signatures tied to their domain names. DKIM verifies the integrity and authenticity of email messages by enabling recipients to verify that emails originate from legitimate senders and have not been tampered with during transit.

Key points to remember

Key points to remember

  • Digital Signatures: DKIM adds a digital signature to outgoing email headers using a private key associated with the sender's domain, which recipients can verify using a public key published in DNS.

  • Authentication Process: Upon receiving an email, the recipient's server retrieves the sender's public DKIM key from DNS, validates the DKIM signature in the email header, and compares it with the message content to ensure integrity and authenticity.


  • Prevention of Email Tampering: DKIM prevents email spoofing, phishing, and other forms of email forgery by providing a mechanism for verifying that emails originated from authorized senders and have not been altered during transmission.


  • Improvement of Email Deliverability: DKIM authentication can enhance email deliverability by establishing sender legitimacy and trustworthiness, reducing the likelihood of emails being marked as spam or rejected by recipient servers.


  • Industry Standard: DKIM has become an industry standard for email authentication and is widely adopted by email service providers, organizations, and government agencies to improve email security and protect against fraudulent activities.

Example of Use

Example of Use

  1. Corporate Email Authentication: A company configures DKIM for its outgoing email servers, enabling recipients to verify the authenticity of emails sent from its domain and reducing the risk of phishing attacks targeting its employees and customers.


  2. Email Marketing Campaigns: An email marketer signs marketing emails with DKIM signatures to establish sender trust and credibility, increasing the likelihood of inbox delivery and engagement with recipients.

Wanna try the best email finder?

Get 50 valid email addresses with the email finder and 200 email verifications for free.