A domain mismatch occurs when the sender email address used in campaigns or automations does not match the domain configured in your store settings.
This can negatively impact email deliverability and brand consistency. This article explains what a domain mismatch is and how to identify and fix it in your Omnisend account.
Before You Begin
Make sure your custom domain is verified. If you haven't signed and verified your sender domain in Omnisend, check the dedicated guide first.
Be aware of the difference between shared and custom domains. The Shared Omnisend Email is used as a fallback when no verified sender email is added. Sending from a custom domain (for example,
[email protected]) improves both deliverability and brand recognition.Ensure DMARC compliance. As of 2024, Gmail and Yahoo require sender domain alignment. For details, see Meet Google, Yahoo, AOL Email Sending Requirements (2024).
What Is a Domain Mismatch?
A domain mismatch happens when:
The sender email address used in campaigns or automations does not match the domain set in your store settings.
To remain DMARC compliant, the sending domain must match the domain used in the sender email address (also known as the From address).
Example:
If your store domain is yourstore.com, but your sender email address is [email protected], this creates a domain mismatch.
Domain mismatches can cause authentication and display issues in inboxes:
Outlook/Hotmail may show “on behalf of” headers.
Gmail may display “This message hasn’t been authenticated”.
Yahoo and AOL may reject emails entirely.
Where to Check for Mismatches
Go to Store Settings → Email addresses. You’ll see the following options:
Shared Omnisend Email - The default sending address provided by Omnisend when you haven't added a custom sender email address. This option is not recommended.
Your Custom Domain - Your verified sender email address (for example,
yourstore.com). When using a custom domain, the sender email address must match this domain exactly.
If your sender email is [email protected] while your store domain is yourstore.com, this results in a domain mismatch.
⚠️ Important: Subdomain vs. Root Domain
Your sender email domain must exactly match your verified sending domain. Root domains and subdomains are not interchangeable.
Examples:
✅ Verified domain:
shop.com→ Sender email:[email protected](match)❌ Verified domain:
mail.shop.com→ Sender email:[email protected](mismatch)✅ Verified domain:
mail.shop.com→ Sender email:[email protected](match)
Resolving Domain Mismatch
Step 1: Check Sender Email in Store Settings
Go to Omnisend → Store Settings and confirm that your sender domain is verified. In the Domain in use section, make sure the verified sender domain is assigned to both campaigns and automations.
After confirming that your sender domain is set up correctly, navigate to Email addresses in Store Settings. Verify that you have a sender email address added that matches your verified sender domain exactly.
Step 2: Update Sender Email Address in Campaigns
Go to the Campaigns tab and open a draft campaign or create a new one. In the campaign setup, locate the Sender email address field and make sure the email address matches your verified sender domain.
Save your changes and continue with the remaining campaign setup steps.
Step 3: Update Sender Email Address in Automation
Go to the Automation tab and open an existing automation or create a new one.
In the automation builder, click the email block and locate the Sender email address field on the right-hand menu. Make sure the email address matches your verified sender domain.
Save your changes and continue with the remaining automation setup steps.
Best Practices
To protect your sender reputation and ensure consistent email deliverability across campaigns and automations, follow these best practices:
Avoid free email inbox providers as sender addresses. Do not use Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook addresses (for example,
[email protected]), as they violate DMARC policies and are often rejected by mailbox providers.Send emails from your own custom domain. Use a branded sender email address (for example,
[email protected]) to improve authentication, trust, and inbox placement.Use a consistent sender name with your domain. Match your sender domain with your store name to increase brand recognition and improve open rates.
Warm up new sender domains before full sends. Gradually increase sending volume when introducing a new domain or subdomain to build a positive sender reputation.
Monitor deliverability and engagement metrics regularly. Review Omnisend deliverability reports to identify spam rate increases or declining open and click rates.
If you need further assistance, please contact our support team at [email protected]. Our award-winning support is available 24/7 to answer your questions!