With the help of this guide, you'll learn how to set up your custom tracking domain and connect it to Snov.io. A custom tracking domain (CTD) is a unique domain or subdomain that you can use exclusively for tracking opens, clicks, and unsubscribes in your emails.
You can add a custom tracking domain for tracking email opens with any plan, including the free trial. Click tracking is exclusively available on premium plans. Upgrade to any paid plan to track clicks through your custom domain.
Snov.io allows you to add a CTD to your email account and replace the default (shared) tracking domain with your branded domain for better deliverability in your cold email campaigns.
Benefits of using a custom tracking domain include:
- looks more secure for your recipients and ESP's
- a branded tracking domain instead of a generic domain
- your sender reputation isn't affected by other users
- potentially grants up to 20% improvement in deliverability
Step. 1: Create a tracking subdomain
The best practice for setting up a CTD is to create a subdomain on the primary domain you use to send campaigns. To create a subdomain, you need to add a new CNAME record in your domain's DNS panel, also known as a domain registrar.
Before you proceed, please note that you will require admin (owner) access to add new records to the DNS.
DNS settings are usually located where you purchased your domain name, such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Cloudflare. Domain management systems differ in their interfaces for each domain provider, but the basic steps to add a CNAME are similar.
Browse help resources for adding a CNAME record at some of the most popular domain providers:
If you don't find your provider in the list above, search for "Create a CNAME record" in their help section.
Below, you will find the information you need for a successful setup. Enter the details into the corresponding fields in the CNAME record settings and save them.
Snov.io supports HTTPS in custom tracking domains to improve deliverability. SSL certificates are generated and applied automatically—no extra setup required.
| Field | Value | Definition |
| DNS record type | CNAME | CNAME record allows you to set Snov.io tracking domain URL as the destination for your host. |
| Host or Name | can be basically anything, e.g. track, tracking, mail, etc. | Host name is the part that will be placed at the beginning of your subdomain address (e.g: hostname.yourdomain.com).
For example, if you choose a hostname "track", then your tracking domain's address will be track.yourdomain.com. If there's an already created CNAME record in your DNS, don't use the same hostname twice, as it may lead to a conflict. |
| Value or Points To | The URL of Snov.io's tracking domain.
must be snov-stream.com |
The value is meant to establish the connection between your subdomain and Snov.io's tracking domain. |
| TTL | Leave as default | Leave this field at whatever value your domain provider uses by default. |
Here's an example of how the CNAME record settings should look like:
Step. 2: Check DNS propagation
After creating a CNAME record, the DNS update typically takes effect within an hour, but it could take up to 72 hours to update globally.
You can check the DNS propagation status at DNS checker website.
- Type in your tracking domain's address in the search field.
- Choose CNAME type.
- Click the Search button.
The custom domain will be ready to use once it is connected to snov-stream.com globally.
Step. 3: Connect your CTD to Snov.io
The final step is to enter the address of your new tracking domain/subdomain into your email account settings.
Your tracking URL will look like http://track.yourdomain.com, where “track” is the hostname you set in the CNAME record.
Important: Tracking URLs can’t contain any extra unnecessary symbols, like _underscore, extra dots, or any other symbols.If they do, you’ll see an “invalid tracking domain format” error.
- Go to your Email Accounts list.
- Click the Edit button next to the required email account.
- Open Custom tracking domain section under Optional settings.
- Enter the URL address into the tracking domain field.
- Click the Set up button, then Save the account settings.
If you see an error while adding your tracking URL, check that it doesn’t contain extra symbols and verify your CNAME record settings.
To confirm it’s working, use a DNS checker or open your tracking URL in a browser. If everything is set up correctly, you’ll see a message like this:
FAQs
1. What happens with SSL certificate when you delete a custom domain from Snov.io?
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Automatic renewal: As long as your custom domain stays connected to at least one sender account, it is renewed automatically at no extra cost.
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If you delete the last custom domain or the last account using it: The SSL certificate remains active for 30 days so links from previous campaigns keep working. After this, SSL will expire and open and click tracking will stop working in your campaigns.
To restore tracking, re-add the same custom tracking domain to your sender account and Snov.io will issue a new SSL certificate automatically. Each time you add a new tracking domain or re-add a previous one, a new SSL is issued.
2. Is tracking totally safe with a custom domain and SSL?
Even with a custom tracking domain and SSL certificate, tracking can still impact deliverability and engagement. Use tracking only when it’s necessary. Read more about its impact on deliverability.
3. What will my recipients see if I add a CTD?
Your custom tracking domain replaces Snov.io’s default tracking domain. Recipients won’t see it in the body of your email, but it appears if they hover over or click a tracked link, including the unsubscribe link. This way, links look branded and neutral instead of generic.
4. Do I need to add a CTD for every email account in Snov.io?
Email accounts without a CTD use Snov.io’s default tracking domains. If you have multiple sender accounts under the same domain, you can connect a single custom tracking domain and use it across all of them.
5. Do I need to create a separate subdomain for tracking, or can I use an existing one?
Technically, you can edit an existing CNAME record and point it to snov-stream.com.
However, we recommend creating a new CNAME record for a dedicated tracking subdomain.
If possible, keep tracking on its own subdomain. It’s easier to manage and avoids conflicts with other DNS records.
6. What happens if I remove the CNAME record from my DNS?
Do not remove it. Without the CNAME record, your custom tracking domain will stop working.
7. Does the tracking subdomain have to be on the same domain I use for sending emails?
No, the tracking subdomain doesn’t have to be on the same domain. Any domain you control will work. Use a subdomain of your sending domain for better deliverability.
8. Can I create a CNAME record if I don’t own the domain?
No. You need admin access to the domain’s DNS settings to create or edit CNAME records.
Still have questions? Contact our support team at any time at help@snov.io or live-support chat.
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