> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.feedotter.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.feedotter.com/feedotter-email/settings-and-dns-configuration.md).

# Settings & DNS Configuration

This guide covers the email configuration settings required before sending with FeedOtter Email. These settings are found at Settings → Emailing and are accessible to admin and primary users only.

### Accessing Email Settings

1. Click **Settings** in the left sidebar
2. Select **Emailing** from the settings navigation

The Emailing page contains three sections stacked on a single page:

* Sender Profiles
* Sending Domains
* Branded Links

> **Screenshot suggestion:** The Settings → Emailing page showing all three sections.

***

### Sender Profiles

A Sender Profile defines who an email appears to come from. You must have at least one verified Sender Profile before you can send.

#### What a Sender Profile Contains

| Field             | Description                                       |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Profile Nickname  | Internal label (not shown to recipients)          |
| From Name         | The display name recipients see in their inbox    |
| From Email        | The email address shown as the sender             |
| Reply-To Name     | Optional name for the reply-to address            |
| Reply-To Email    | Where replies are directed                        |
| Address           | Street address (required for CAN-SPAM compliance) |
| City              | City                                              |
| Country           | Country                                           |
| State / Province  | Optional                                          |
| Zip / Postal Code | Optional                                          |

#### Creating a Sender Profile

1. Click **Add Sender Profile**
2. Fill in all required fields
3. Click **Save**
4. The profile will be listed with a **Verified** or **Unverified** status

#### Sender Verification

SendGrid sends a verification email to the From Email address. The profile must be verified before it can be used when sending. If the address is not yet verified, check the inbox for the From Email address and complete verification there.

A **Locked** status indicates the profile is in use by a scheduled send and cannot be edited until that send completes.

> **Screenshot suggestion:** Sender Profiles list showing a verified and unverified profile.

***

### Sending Domains

Authenticating your sending domain improves deliverability and allows emails to pass spam filters. This is required for production sending.

#### How It Works

FeedOtter Email uses SendGrid's domain authentication. You add DNS records at your domain registrar or DNS host, which allows SendGrid to send on behalf of your domain. The records are typically CNAME entries.

> **Note:** The DNS records are displayed as a generic Type / Host / Value table. The underlying records provide email authentication (equivalent to SPF and DKIM) but they are not labeled as such in the interface.

#### Adding a Sending Domain

1. Click **Add Domain**
2. Enter your domain (e.g. `yourdomain.com`)
3. Click **Save**
4. The DNS records panel will appear showing the required records

> **Screenshot suggestion:** Sending Domain DNS records table showing Type, Host, and Value columns.

#### Adding DNS Records at Your DNS Host

Copy each record from the table and add them at your domain registrar or DNS provider (e.g. GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Route 53). The exact steps vary by provider, but you are adding CNAME records.

DNS propagation typically takes a few minutes, but can take up to 48 hours in some cases.

#### Verifying Your Sending Domain

1. After adding the DNS records, return to **Settings → Emailing**
2. Click **Verify** next to your domain
3. If the records are detected, the domain status will update to **Verified**
4. If verification fails, confirm the records are saved correctly at your DNS host and try again

***

### Branded Links

Branded Links configure a custom subdomain for click tracking. When a recipient clicks a link in your email, they are briefly routed through this subdomain before reaching the destination. Using a branded link domain keeps tracking on your own domain rather than a generic SendGrid domain, which improves deliverability and trust.

#### Adding a Branded Link Domain

1. Click **Add Domain**
2. Enter your domain (e.g. `yourdomain.com`)
3. Optionally enter a subdomain (e.g. `links`) — if left blank, a default subdomain is used
4. Click **Save**
5. DNS records will appear

#### Adding DNS Records and Verifying

The process is identical to Sending Domains: add the displayed CNAME record(s) at your DNS host, then click **Verify**.

> **Screenshot suggestion:** Branded Links section showing a domain with its DNS records and Verify button.

***

### Unsubscribe Groups

Unsubscribe Groups (also called suppression groups) allow subscribers to opt out of specific types of email rather than all email from your domain. Selecting an Unsubscribe Group is required when sending with FeedOtter Email.

Unsubscribe Groups are managed from the **Audience** page, not the Settings page. See Managing Your Audience — Unsubscribe Groups for setup instructions.

***

### Email Test

Once your Sender Profile, Sending Domain, and an Unsubscribe Group are configured, you can send a test email through FeedOtter Email to verify your setup.

#### Sending a Test Email

1. Navigate to **Settings → Email Test**
2. Select a **Contact List** to send to
3. Select a **Sender Profile**
4. Select an **Unsubscribe Group**
5. Click **Send Test**

The test send is delivered through your FeedOtter Email account using the selected sender and suppression settings. Check the recipient inbox to confirm delivery, sender display name, and formatting.

> **Screenshot suggestion:** The Settings → Email Test page with the list, sender, and group dropdowns.