Using a custom domain email is one of the most important things you can do to improve your email deliverability and protect your sender reputation.

Inbox providers like Gmail and Yahoo now require that bulk email senders use a verified custom domain for authentication (via DKIM, SPF, and DMARC), rather than a “free email” address. Flodesk strongly recommends that all members send emails from a custom domain email address.

A custom domain means that you’re sending emails from a personalized, unique web address that you own. For example, Flodesk owns the domain flodesk.com and one of our domain emails is hello[at]flodesk.com.

This is different from a free email address, which is provided by services like Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail:
Examples include you@gmail.com, you@yahoo.com, and you@hotmail.com.

Sending from a custom domain email offers several advantages:

• Improves deliverability by authenticating your domain

• Builds trust with your audience

• Looks more professional and branded

• Enables DKIM, SPF, and DMARC authentication

• Complies with inbox provider requirements

Using a free email address (like Gmail or Yahoo) to send marketing emails can lead to:

• Emails being flagged as spam or blocked entirely

• Inability to authenticate your domain

• Daily sending limits on Flodesk

• Reduced trust and professionalism

• Long-term damage to your sender reputation

In Flodesk, the “from” address will include Flodesk’s name by default unless you’ve added and verified your own domain. Using a custom domain allows you to send emails that are fully branded to your business.

Inbox providers use filters to evaluate whether emails are safe. Sending from a free email address is a common spammer behavior and may result in:

• Messages going to spam folders

• Emails being blocked from delivery altogether

• Damage to your sender reputation

To reduce risk, Flodesk temporarily rewrites your “from” address to one of our verified domains—but only up to a daily sending limit. This allows you to begin emailing your list while you prepare your custom domain.

To meet email deliverability standards and protect your sender reputation:

1. Purchase a custom domain from a domain registrar

2. Set up a custom domain email address (e.g., you@yourbusiness.com)

3. Add your sender address in Flodesk account settings

4. Authenticate your domain (DKIM and SPF)

Trust and Safety notes:

You may be required to update your sender email if:

• You use a free email address (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) and your reputation is at risk

• You use a work, school, or organization email that you do not own or manage

To avoid compliance issues and maximize performance, use a domain that you own and control.

• A custom domain email looks like yourname@yourdomain.com

• It improves deliverability, trust, and brand professionalism

• Inbox providers now require domain authentication (DKIM, SPF, and DMARC)

• Flodesk recommends all members move to a custom domain email

• Flodesk will rewrite free email addresses temporarily, but this is not a long-term solution

Setting up a custom domain email is simple—and essential—for ensuring your emails reach the inbox and reflect your brand.