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Set Up Click Tracking Domain for Emails

Learn how to set up Branded Email Click Tracking in Omnisend and improve brand consistency

Chaymae avatar
Written by Chaymae
Updated today

By default, Omnisend tracks email clicks using a shared domain. Your campaigns and automations will function normally without any additional setup. However, using a branded click tracking domain for your emails allows you to replace the shared tracking links with your own custom subdomain.

This keeps your links aligned with your brand and creates a more consistent experience for your recipients and inbox providers.

Already have a verified subdomain for SMS short links? You can use the same domain for email click tracking. Just go to Store settings Domains Domain usage and assign it to Email links (click tracking). Learn more about Branded SMS Short Links.


Before You Begin

  • Branded click tracking for emails is available on all Omnisend plans.

  • It's highly recommended to already have a verified email sending domain set up in Omnisend before adding a click tracking domain. Learn how to set up your email sending domain.

  • Do NOT use your main email sending domain for click tracking. Always use a subdomain (e.g., email.yourbrand.com) to avoid domain reputation conflicts.

  • You'll need access to your DNS provider (like GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.) to add CNAME records. If you're not sure who your provider is, search your domain name here.

  • Omnisend is not responsible for DNS configuration, pricing, or limitations set by third-party DNS providers. If your provider requires additional fees or doesn't support certain record types, consult them directly.

What Is Branded Click Tracking for Emails?

When you add a link to your email (such as a product page, landing page, or blog post), Omnisend automatically modifies that link so clicks can be tracked. This allows you to measure campaign performance and understand which content drives engagement.

How it works

When a recipient clicks a link in your email:

  1. They are briefly routed through a tracking domain.

  2. Omnisend records the click.

  3. They are instantly redirected to the final destination (for example, your product page).

This process happens in milliseconds and is not noticeable to recipients. However, inbox providers (such as Gmail or Yahoo) evaluate the domain used in your email links as part of their filtering and reputation/spam checks.

By default, Omnisend uses a shared tracking domain for this process. Your emails will function normally without any additional setup.

Branded click tracking for emails allows you to replace the shared tracking domain with your own custom subdomain (for example, links.yourbrand.com). This keeps your sender domain, sender email address, and tracking links aligned under your brand.

Benefits

  • Improved trust: Recipients see your brand name when hovering over links, which can increase confidence in your emails.

  • Stronger domain consistency: Using your own domain keeps your sending identity aligned across the sender domain, sender email address, and tracking links.

  • Reduced reliance on shared reputation: Instead of sharing a tracking domain with other senders, you build and maintain a reputation under your own branded domain.

  • Enhanced brand recognition: Every interaction reinforces your brand identity.

Setup Process

Step 1. Go to Store settingsDomainsAdd domain.

Step 2. Select the Link domain (for email & SMS links) and click Continue.

Step 3. Select your domain provider.

Omnisend will generate personalized instructions based on your DNS provider. If you're not sure who your provider is, select "I don't know" or search your domain name here to find out.

Step 4. Enter a subdomain (e.g., email.yourbrand.com) to be used for your email link tracking.

⚠️ Important:

  • Always use a subdomain, not your main domain.

  • Your click-tracking subdomain must be different from your email-sending domain. Using the same domain for both can cause reputation and deliverability issues. For example, if your sending domain is mystore.com, your click tracking domain should be something like email.mystore.com.

  • You can use the same subdomain for both email click tracking and SMS short links. After your domain is verified, you'll be able to assign it to either or both features in your Domain usage settings.

  • You usually do not need to purchase a new domain. You can create a subdomain under your existing domain directly in your DNS provider’s settings (such as GoDaddy, Shopify, or Cloudflare).

Step 5. Copy the two CNAME records shown in Omnisend and add them to your DNS provider's settings.

  • This step verifies your domain.

  • The process may take up to 48 hours.

  • Make sure the records are added correctly to avoid delays.

Reminder: DNS requirements and configuration options vary by provider. If your DNS provider doesn't support certain record types or requires additional fees, consult your DNS provider directly. Omnisend can only supply the DNS records required for verification.

Step 6. Once the CNAME records are added to your DNS provider's settings, click Finish verification.

Step 7. Wait for verification.

Your domain is being verified. Verification usually takes about 30 minutes, but it can sometimes take up to 48 hours. You'll receive an email once it's done or if any issues come up.

Step 8. Once your domain is verified, select it from the dropdown under Email links (click tracking).

⚠️ Important: Only one domain can be used at a time for email click tracking. Until you complete this step, your email links will continue using the default shared domain.

Branded Click Tracking in Email Campaigns and Automation

Once your subdomain is verified and assigned to Email links, it will automatically be used for click tracking in your emails. To check which domain is being used:

In campaigns, your selected click tracking domain will be displayed under Email Settings.

In automation, click on an Email block, and you’ll see the assigned click tracking domain in the right-hand settings panel

FAQ

Do I need to buy a new domain for email click tracking?

No. You can use a subdomain of your existing website domain by setting it up in your DNS provider.

Can I use the same domain for both Branded SMS Short links and Branded Click Tracking for Emails?
Yes. You can use the same subdomain for both SMS short links and email click tracking. After you verify your domain, you can assign it to both features in Store settings Domains Domain usage.

What happens if I unverify or change my Email links domain?
Previously sent links will remain functional. Only new campaigns and automations will use the updated domain.

What if my domain doesn't verify?
If verification fails, check:

  1. Both CNAME records are added exactly as shown in Omnisend (no typos or extra spaces).

  2. Records are added under your subdomain's DNS panel, not your main domain.

  3. There are no duplicate or conflicting records with the same "Name" field.

  4. Contact your DNS provider to confirm DNS propagation and record formatting.

Will this affect campaigns I've already sent?
No. Only campaigns and automation workflows are sent after you set up Branded Click Tracking for Emails.

Can I use my email sending domain for click tracking?

No. Your click tracking domain must use a subdomain and be different from your email sending domain to avoid domain reputation conflicts. For example, if your email sending domain is mystore.com, use a subdomain like email.mystore.com for click tracking.


Any other questions on your mind? Reach out to our support team through the in-app chat or at [email protected]; our team is available 24/7.

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