What is a custom tracking domain and what does it do?
In order to track certain things like email opens and link clicks, we insert special code into the body of your emails.
That special code is generally in the form of a URL - for example. xyz.inreg1.com/[code]
Now while we keep changing that URL every once in a while, that same domain is used by every Instantly customer - unless you setup a custom tracking domain.
When you setup a custom tracking domain, the special code that we insert will use your specified domain instead of ours.
And so it will be unique - which helps ensure that your sending reputation and deliverability are completely isolated from the rest of the accounts.
Think of it as bringing your own toothbrush on a road trip rather than using one
that's shared by multiple people. Only you get to use it, which prevents any dental problems that you could get by using a shared one.
When you add a custom tracking domain, it essentially works as a proxy/mask for
the tracking end-point and it isolates your sender reputation from the rest of the
user base... and so in a nutshell, always use a custom tracking domain.
How to add a custom tracking domain to Instantly?
First, create a CNAME record in your domain provider DNS Zone and then add it to Instantly.
Create a CNAME record in DNS Zone:
Log in to your domain provider account.
Find the domain that you wish to create a Custom tracking domain for.
Go to Manage/Edit DNS records for that domain.
Create a new DNS record by Adding a new CNAME record with the following hostname and value:
Host (name): inst
Type: CNAME
Value: prox.itrackly.com
Save record.
You can check if the record has been propagated by doing the test on MxToolbox.com
Type inst.yourdomain.com as the CNAME you want to test and 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, or check your CNAME records for any typos or extra domains. You may want to contact your Domain provider and ask for help on propagating CNAME record.
Once propagated successfully, add it to your Instantly account:
Start off by going to the settings for the email account
If everything is set up correctly you will receive the following notifications below the Check Status button.
CNAME Verified, SSL Verified