How Domain Masking Helps Avoid Spam Filters
Want to improve email deliverability and avoid spam filters? Domain masking is the solution.
Domain masking hides your primary domain by using a secondary domain, protecting your brand's reputation while improving email deliverability. This method is especially useful for cold email campaigns where maintaining a good sender reputation is critical. Here’s what you need to know:
- What It Does: Conceals your main domain by routing emails through a secondary domain.
- Why It Matters: Protects your primary domain from being flagged as spam, improving inbox placement.
- How It Works: Uses advanced DNS settings, SSL certificates, and email authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- Benefits: Better email deliverability, safer cold email testing, and compliance with anti-spam laws.
- Key Steps: Use clean secondary domains, configure DNS and SSL properly, and warm up domains gradually.
Quick Comparison: Domain Masking vs. URL Forwarding
| Feature | Domain Masking | Basic URL Forwarding |
|---|---|---|
| Original URL Visibility | Hidden | Visible after redirect |
| Technical Setup | Advanced (SSL, proxy) | Simple redirect |
| Spam Filter Performance | Better | Riskier |
| User Experience | Seamless | Trust may decrease |
Domain masking is a smart way to scale outreach without harming your brand. Read on to learn how to set it up and maximize results.
How Domain Masking Bypasses Spam Filters
Domain masking creates a protective barrier between your primary domain and email recipients, which can improve inbox placement. This strategy not only shields your main domain but also enhances email deliverability and sender reputation.
Concealing Your Primary Domain
One of the key benefits of domain masking is its ability to hide your primary domain from spam filters. When emails are sent using a masked domain, only the secondary domain is exposed to these filters. This separation safeguards your main brand while providing a fresh, untarnished domain for outreach efforts.
Here's how it works:
- The DNS settings are configured to point the A record of your secondary domain to a trusted IP address provided by the masking service.
- A masking proxy with SSL certificates is deployed, ensuring the domain appears secure and trustworthy to recipients.
- Shared or dedicated IPs are used to maintain sender reputation and prevent blacklisting.
This setup offers a more secure and reliable approach compared to simpler alternatives like basic URL forwarding.
Domain Masking vs Basic URL Forwarding
At first glance, domain masking and basic URL forwarding may seem similar, but they differ significantly in how they handle spam filters. Here's a quick comparison:
| Feature | Domain Masking | Basic URL Forwarding |
|---|---|---|
| Original URL Visibility | Fully hidden from recipients | Visible after redirection |
| Technical Setup | Advanced proxy with SSL integration | Simple redirect setup |
| Spam Filter Performance | Lowers risk of spam detection | Can trigger spam filters due to visible redirects |
| User Experience | Provides a seamless, branded experience | Redirects may reduce trust |
| DNS Impact | Properly configured to avoid issues | Misconfigurations can lead to delivery problems |
With basic URL forwarding, the recipient eventually sees your real domain, which can be a problem if that domain has a poor reputation. On the other hand, domain masking keeps your primary domain hidden, maintaining a polished and professional image while reducing the chances of emails being flagged as spam.
Errors in URL forwarding, such as incorrect MX, SPF, or DKIM settings, can cause emails to end up in spam folders or fail to deliver entirely. While URL forwarding might seem easier to set up, the more complex configuration of domain masking ultimately delivers better results in terms of reputation, deliverability, and user trust.
Domain Masking Techniques That Work
Getting domain masking right requires careful planning and precise execution. The following techniques will help you set up masking effectively, improving your cold email deliverability while avoiding potential pitfalls.
Using Clean Secondary Domains
A clean secondary domain is essential for establishing a solid reputation. If a domain has been flagged for spam in the past, it can carry a negative history that undermines your efforts.
When choosing a secondary domain, steer clear of less common top-level domains (TLDs) like .club, .live, or .market, as these are often flagged by spam filters. Instead, stick to widely recognized TLDs such as .com, .net, or .org, which email service providers generally trust more.
Before purchasing a domain, check its history using trusted tools and spam databases. Always buy from reputable registrars that offer domain masking features and reliable DNS management tools. Once you've secured the domain, ensure it’s protected with proper SSL and DNS configurations.
SSL Setup and DNS Configuration
Setting up SSL certificates and configuring DNS records properly is critical for both security and email authentication.
SSL certificates are non-negotiable - they establish trust with email providers and recipients alike. Proper DNS configuration is just as important. Here’s what you need to focus on:
- SPF records: These authorize specific IP addresses to send emails from your domain.
- DKIM: Adds a digital signature to your emails, ensuring they remain unchanged during transit.
- DMARC: Builds on SPF and DKIM, instructing receiving servers on how to handle emails that fail authentication checks.
"Domains that have not set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC correctly may find that their emails get quarantined as spam, or are not delivered to their recipients." - Cloudflare
Major providers require SPF and DKIM authentication, and for campaigns sending more than 5,000 emails daily, a DMARC record is essential. Using a strict DMARC policy (e.g., p=reject) can boost deliverability with providers like Gmail by over 10%.
While specific setup steps may vary by platform, the core principles remain consistent. For example, Classy.org uses a CNAME record in DNS settings to point to their masking service, ensuring seamless brand consistency.
"Domain masking (a custom domain) lets you replace
www.classyin your campaign URLs with a domain of your choice. Many choose to replace the Classy domain with their website's name to create a consistent branded experience for supporters." - Classy.org Support Article, November 2024
Keep in mind that most web hosting services don’t configure these authentication records by default. You’ll need to handle this setup manually or use a platform that simplifies the process. Once your security settings are in place, the next step is to warm up the domain.
Warming Up Masked Domains
Warming up a masked domain is a slow but necessary process to build a positive sender reputation. Skipping this step or rushing it by sending large volumes too soon can damage your domain’s reputation before it’s fully established.
Start small - send 50–100 emails per provider per day. Monitor engagement closely, and if metrics remain stable, increase your volume by 20–50%. If deliverability drops, scale back by 25–30%. Focus on your most engaged recipients at the beginning to build a stronger reputation faster. Consistency is key: send emails at the same time daily and avoid erratic bursts.
For instance, gradually increasing daily sends from 25 to 2,000 emails per IP over 30 days has been shown to preserve a clean reputation.
Even after reaching your target volume, don’t stop the warm-up process entirely. Continue sending a portion of your daily emails to highly engaged recipients to maintain positive reputation signals. Use tools like Google Postmaster Tools to monitor your domain’s reputation during this phase. Also, remember that subdomains develop their reputations independently. Each subdomain used for different campaigns will need its own warm-up schedule.
Choosing Domain Masking Infrastructure
Picking the right platform for domain masking plays a key role in the success of cold email campaigns. The infrastructure you select impacts how smoothly your setup functions, how effectively your emails land in inboxes, and how easily you can scale your outreach. A well-designed platform not only simplifies the technical setup but also improves email deliverability by reducing the chances of getting flagged as spam.
Platform Features to Consider
When assessing domain masking platforms, prioritize features that simplify setup and reduce manual work. For example, automated DNS configuration can save you from the hassle of manually setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
Using dedicated IPs is another critical feature, as they give you full control over your reputation. This is especially important if you're sending thousands of emails daily.
Platforms offering pre-warmed domains can help you skip the time-consuming warm-up process. Some services even activate domains and mailboxes in as little as five minutes.
As your outreach grows, API integration becomes a must-have. Managing hundreds of domains and mailboxes manually isn't practical, so having an API to automate tasks like creating mailboxes, updating DNS settings, and tracking deliverability metrics is invaluable.
SSL support and domain masking are also essential. These features ensure your links look professional and trustworthy, which makes recipients more likely to click. A branded domain with SSL certification projects a polished and reliable image.
Lastly, multi-IP provisioning is a useful safeguard. If one IP runs into reputation issues, having multiple IPs allows you to switch seamlessly, ensuring uninterrupted deliverability and consistent inbox placement.
These features set the stage for comparing Infraforge with other domain masking solutions.
Infraforge vs. Other Platforms
Different platforms cater to different needs and budgets, and understanding how they stack up can help you make an informed choice.
Infraforge is designed as a private email infrastructure tailored specifically for cold outreach. Unlike general email providers such as Gmail or Outlook, Infraforge focuses on optimizing deliverability for cold email campaigns. The platform offers dedicated IPs, automated DNS setup, and the ability to activate domains within five minutes.
On the other hand, Maildoso uses a shared infrastructure, making it a more affordable choice for smaller operations. Their entry-level plan costs $99 every three months and includes 12 email accounts and three domains. Mailforge offers another budget-friendly option, with shared IPs costing between $2 and $3 per mailbox per month.
Pricing reflects these differences in infrastructure. Infraforge starts at $17 per month for 10 mailbox slots and scales up to $651 per month for 200 slots. While this may seem like a higher upfront cost, it becomes more economical at scale compared to traditional email providers. For instance, Google Workspace would cost around $1,680 per month for 200 mailboxes, and Microsoft 365 would cost about $1,200 per month.
| Feature | Infraforge | Maildoso | Mailforge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure Type | Private | Shared | Shared |
| Dedicated IP | Yes | No | No |
| Automated DNS Setup | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| SSL & Domain Masking | Yes | No | No |
| API Access | Yes | No | Limited |
| Starting Price | $17/month | $99/3 months | $2–$3/mailbox |
| Best For | Scaling businesses | Small operations | Budget-conscious users |
A Reddit user who tested both Mailforge and Infraforge noted that deliverability often depends more on sending habits than the platform itself. However, they did report slightly lower deliverability with Infraforge during their testing period [Reddit, 2024].
Ultimately, the choice between platforms often boils down to control versus cost. Private infrastructure like Infraforge offers greater control and customization, while shared infrastructure is more affordable and easier for beginners but limits flexibility.
"During my time at a Fortune 500 company and now across all our products, Infraforge has been my go-to solution for Email Infrastructure. Its deliverability and impact are unmatched. If you're serious about outreach and want the best tool in the market, Infraforge is the only choice." - Rahul Lakhaney, former VP at Gartner and current CEO of Enrich.so
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Maintaining Deliverability and Following Laws
Keeping your emails out of spam folders and staying on the right side of the law go hand in hand. Even the most well-designed email campaigns can fall short if you neglect regular monitoring or fail to comply with anti-spam regulations. The goal is to establish consistent practices that safeguard your email deliverability while ensuring legal compliance.
Monitoring and Rotating Domains
Your sender reputation is what determines whether your emails land in inboxes or get flagged as spam. In fact, 80% of email deliverability depends on sender reputation metrics. To keep domain masking effective, you need to stay on top of monitoring and adapting.
Tools like Google Postmaster Tools and MXToolbox help you track your domain's health. They provide insights into bounce rates, spam complaints, and reputation scores, helping you spot potential issues early.
As your email volume grows, domain rotation becomes essential. Instead of relying on one domain, distribute your emails across multiple domains to minimize the risk of blacklisting. When adding new domains, don’t rush - gradually warm them up before sending at high volumes.
"Deliverability is a measure of the health of your email marketing program, so it's important to do regular check-ups on your domain, IP, and authentication in particular to make sure you're up-to-date, just like how we all go to the doctor each year." - Carin Slater, Manager of Lifecycle Email Marketing at Litmus
Keep your email lists clean by removing bouncing or unengaged addresses and running re-engagement campaigns for inactive subscribers. Monitor metrics like open rates, click rates, and spam complaints for each domain. A sudden dip in performance can signal a reputation problem. 25% of emails fail to reach their target due to reputation issues.
By maintaining a healthy sender reputation, you naturally align with many legal standards.
Following US Anti-Spam Laws
While technical strategies are vital, legal compliance adds credibility to your outreach efforts. The CAN-SPAM Act governs all commercial emails sent in the U.S., including campaigns using domain masking. Breaking these rules can result in penalties of up to $53,088 per email.
Here’s how to stay compliant:
- Ensure email headers and subject lines are honest and accurately reflect the content.
- Include a physical postal address in every email. This must be a real, reachable location, whether it’s your business address or a registered agent's.
- Provide a simple unsubscribe option in every email. Recipients should be able to opt out with one click or a quick reply. Honor opt-out requests within 10 business days without charging fees or asking for unnecessary information.
Remember, outsourcing your email marketing doesn’t shift legal responsibility. As the Federal Trade Commission states, "The law makes clear that even if you hire another company to handle your email marketing, you can't contract away your legal responsibility to comply with the law".
Using Advanced Tools for Growth
Scaling your domain masking strategy requires tools that simplify complex tasks while maintaining deliverability. Platforms like Infraforge are designed to manage multiple domains, monitor performance, and integrate seamlessly with your existing systems.
- Pre-warmed mailboxes save time by skipping the manual warm-up process. These domains are ready for use immediately, helping you scale faster without risking deliverability.
- Real-time monitoring pinpoints issues quickly. Look for platforms that provide detailed analytics, like bounce rates and spam complaints, so you can adjust your strategy as needed.
- API-based scaling makes managing hundreds of domains and mailboxes more efficient. Infraforge’s API allows you to automate tasks like creating mailboxes, updating DNS settings, and tracking performance.
Use email verification services like Neverbounce to clean up your lists before sending. This reduces bounce rates and protects your reputation. Avoid sending emails to invalid or inactive addresses.
For consistent sending patterns and domain warm-ups, tools like Mailflow can be invaluable. These services introduce random delays between sends and vary your email content, helping you avoid spam filters.
How Domain Masking Improves Cold Email Results
Domain masking is a game-changer for cold email campaigns, helping your messages bypass spam filters and land directly in your prospects' inboxes. By using a secondary domain to represent your primary one, you create a protective layer that improves deliverability while safeguarding your main domain's reputation.
The average cold email open rate sits around 44%. But with domain masking, open rates can soar past 60% because masked domains avoid spam filters and reduce the risk of domain spoofing. As EmailGuard explains:
"Domain masking helps you mirror your secondary domain to your primary domain without raising any red flags. You're basically setting up a 'masked' domain that bypasses spam filters." – EmailGuard
This improved deliverability doesn't just get your emails opened - it also boosts reply rates significantly. Instead of the typical 1% response rate, campaigns using domain masking can achieve reply rates between 15% and 25%.
Another major benefit? It protects your primary brand. By using high-reputation IPs tied to your masked domains, you ensure that any issues with your outreach won't lead to your main domain being blacklisted.
Scaling Made Easier
Scaling your outreach is much simpler with the right tools. Platforms like Infraforge handle the heavy lifting by automating DNS setup, providing SSL certificates, and offering pre-warmed domains ready for immediate use. Instead of spending weeks warming up domains manually, you can have your first domain and mailbox ready in just five minutes.
And it’s affordable. Infraforge charges only $2 per domain per month, while their full infrastructure package starts at $17/month for 10 mailbox slots. Considering the cost of failed campaigns due to poor deliverability, this investment can save both time and money.
Maintaining Deliverability at Scale
As your email volume grows, multi-IP provisioning allows you to distribute sends across multiple IPs and domains. This approach minimizes the risk of triggering spam filters and keeps your sender reputation intact. It’s a crucial step since organizations with proper email authentication see 90% fewer successful phishing attempts.
When combined with other best practices - like personalized content, optimized send times, and clean email lists - domain masking can amplify your results. For example, personalized content alone can increase open rates by up to 82%. Pair that with masked domains, and you're building a robust system designed to consistently deliver results.
FAQs
How does domain masking improve email deliverability in cold outreach campaigns?
How Domain Masking Boosts Email Deliverability
Domain masking plays a key role in improving email deliverability by hiding the link to your main domain. This makes it less likely for your emails to be flagged as spam. By presenting the sender's domain as consistent and reliable, it helps reduce suspicion from spam filters, increasing the chances of your emails landing in the recipient's inbox.
Unlike domain forwarding, domain masking keeps your primary domain safe from risks like being blacklisted or tied to spam complaints. This protection ensures your main domain's reputation stays intact, making it an effective strategy for maintaining strong deliverability rates - especially in cold email campaigns.
How can I set up domain masking to improve email deliverability?
To set up domain masking for your email campaigns, begin by creating a CNAME record for your subdomain and linking it to your masking service. This step ensures your emails appear to originate from your selected domain, adding a professional touch. Tools like Infraforge can make this easier by automating DNS configuration and offering pre-warmed domains to get you started quickly.
Next, update your DNS settings with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. These authentication protocols are essential for verifying your emails and improving their deliverability, reducing the risk of them being marked as spam. Once that’s done, secure your masked domain with SSL certificates to protect your communications. Double-check that everything redirects and displays correctly to maintain a polished and trustworthy appearance for your outreach.
Platforms like Infraforge offer a one-stop solution by automating DNS setup, SSL configuration, and domain masking - streamlining the entire process to help you focus on running effective cold email campaigns.
How can I use domain masking in email marketing while staying compliant with anti-spam laws?
To ensure compliance with anti-spam laws like the CAN-SPAM Act when using domain masking in email marketing, it's essential to follow a few key practices. First, make sure your emails are clearly labeled as advertisements and include accurate sender information. You'll also need to provide a valid physical address - this can be a P.O. Box or a private mailbox - and include straightforward opt-out instructions so recipients can easily unsubscribe.
Another critical step is obtaining explicit consent from recipients before sending them marketing emails. This not only helps you stay compliant but also protects your sender reputation. Tools and platforms like Infraforge can simplify the process by offering features like automated DNS setup and pre-warmed domains, which can improve deliverability and minimize risks.