What is Custom Tracking Domain and what does it do?
To track email opens and link clicks, we insert special code into emails, typically a URL like xyz.inreg1.com/[code]. This URL is shared among Instantly customers unless you set up a custom tracking domain.
With a custom domain, the inserted code uses your domain, ensuring unique tracking and protecting your sender reputation. It's like bringing your own toothbrush on a trip—preventing shared dental problems.
A custom tracking domain acts as a proxy, isolating your sender reputation from others. In short, always opt for a custom tracking domain.
How to add a custom tracking domain to Instantly?
If you want to add a custom tracking domain to Instantly, you should first create a CNAME record in your DNS page and then enable the custom tracking domain in your Instantly account once the record is propagated.
Here are the steps to add a custom tracking domain to Instantly.
Login to your domain provider account.
Find the domain to create a custom tracking domain for.
Go to Manage/ Edit DNS records.
Add a new CNAME record using the following host name and value.
Record Type: CNAME
Host: inst
Value: prox.itrackly.com
Click Save to record.
Go to your Instantly account.
Add CNAME record in Account Settings.
Add your CNAME record. Add it as inst.yourdomain.com in Instantly with yourdomain.com being the domain you added the CNAME record in your DNS Zone.
Click Check Status.
If everything is set up correctly, you will receive the following notification below the Check Status: CNAME Verified SSL Verified.
Click Save Changes.
FAQ
Q: I have added the custom tracking domain but it's not working.
A: When you add a CNAME record in your DNS section, usually it takes up to 72 hours to be propagated. You can check if the record has been propagated by doing this test.
Type inst.yourdomain.com as the CNAME you want to test.
Click CNAME Lookup.
The test should show the Canonical Name as prox.itrackly.com.
If this is not the case, wait a few more minutes and try again. You may also check your CNAME records for any typos or extra domains. You may want to contact your domain provider and ask for help on propagating the CNAME record.
Q: Should I use a new custom tracking domain per account?
A: There are a couple of different ways to organize your custom tracking domains.
Based on per-business basis.
Use a single custom tracking domain for multiple sending accounts. This would make sense if your primary domain is old/warmed up. If you're running a lead agency, this is what we would recommend.
Based on associated domain for the email account.
If you had [email protected] and [email protected], you may use inst.first.com for all email addresses associated with the same domain first.com. This approach would make sense when all of your domains are new, or if you're experimenting with a new campaign that could potentially have a negative impact on your reputation. By creating separate groups, you can minimize the damage from a bad campaign.