DNS guide
Adding email records in IONOS
IONOS adds your domain to the host name for you: entering _dmarc creates _dmarc.your-domain.com.
By Ahmet Karaca · Updated · Checked against IONOS documentation on
Steps
- Log in to IONOS, click the gear icon under Actions next to your domain and select DNS.
- Click Add Record and choose the type, such as TXT or CNAME.
- Enter the Host name and Value. Choosing a TTL is optional.
- Click Save.
Common mistakes
- IONOS SPF is on by default for IONOS-hosted domains, and an existing SPF TXT record for another email service is automatically supplemented with the IONOS mail servers. IONOS asks you to edit or delete that record only if you have the appropriate knowledge.
- At IONOS a CNAME conflicts with a TXT, MX, A, AAAA or another CNAME record on the same host, so a DKIM CNAME cannot share its name with any other record.
- Switching to external name servers means IONOS no longer controls your DNS. Recreate the IONOS Mail records, including the three DKIM CNAMEs, at the new provider before the change.
- Creating a CNAME on an IONOS subdomain forwards every request for it, so email addresses and IONOS product connections on that subdomain stop working.
Watch out for
- IONOS shows a warning, rather than deleting anything, when a new record conflicts with the records of an active service.
Frequently asked questions
Does IONOS set up DKIM for its own mail automatically?
Yes, when the domain uses IONOS name servers, which is the default. The CNAMEs are s1-ionos._domainkey, s2-ionos._domainkey and s42582890._domainkey, pointing to the matching hosts under dkim.ionos.com.
How long until IONOS DNS changes work everywhere?
They are active at IONOS immediately and can take up to an hour to take effect elsewhere. A name server change can take up to 48 hours.
What SPF record does IONOS mail need when my DNS is elsewhere?
IONOS's US help gives a TXT record with v=spf1 include:_spf-us.ionos.com ~all for domains whose DNS is at another provider.
What to add
Pick the service you're setting up to see the exact records:
Mailbox providers
Marketing platforms
Official reference: IONOS documentation.
Check your IONOS setup
Or open the SPF checker, DKIM checker or DMARC checker directly.