How to set up a custom tracking domain

This guide will show you how to set up a custom tracking domain in your DNS and add it to Snov.io.

A CTD replaces the default Snov.io domain with your branded company domain (with HTTPS) to improve deliverability. It’s used to track opens, clicks, and unsubscribes in your emails.

Snov.io supports HTTPS in custom tracking domains to improve deliverability. SSL certificates are generated automatically when you add a tracking domain to your senders—no extra setup required.

Benefits of tracking domains with SSL:

• Strengthens your sender reputation with providers, which improves deliverability
• Enables HTTPS for all tracked links, which makes your emails look safe to spam filters

Go to FAQs ⇒

Step. 1: Create a CNAME record

Create a tracking subdomain on the primary domain you use to send campaigns. To do this, add a new CNAME record in your domain’s DNS.

To access DNS settings, log in to your domain registrar (the provider where you purchased your domain) and open the DNS management section. You’ll need admin (owner) access to add new DNS records.

DNS settings are managed through your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare). While each provider’s interface looks different, the process of adding a CNAME record follows the same basic steps.

Browse help resources for adding a CNAME record at some of the most popular domain providers:

• Google Domains
• GoDaddy
• Namecheap
• Domain.com
• Amazon AWS
• DreamHost
• HostGator
• BlueHost

If your provider isn’t listed above, search their help section for “Create a CNAME record.”

Below are the details you need for setup — enter them into the CNAME record fields and save.

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.

• Type in your tracking domain's address in the search field.
• Choose CNAME type.
• Click the Search button.

Check DNS: Use any online DNS checker to verify your tracking domain. If all areas show green, then your domain is configured correctly. If they show red, then there’s a problem with your setup.

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

Copy your domain/subdomain from the CNAME and paste it to the tracking domain URL in the email account settings.

Before adding a tracking domain to Snovio, wait some time until your domain updates. DNS changes may take up to 24-72 hours.

Click Set up to start verification. We’ll check that everything works and generate the SSL certificate. Don’t forget to Save to apply your new settings.

• 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 Set up to start verification. We’ll check that everything works and generate the SSL certificate. Don’t forget to Save to apply your new settings.

If you see an “invalid domain format” or “address not recognized” error, it means there’s still an issue with your tracking URL or the domain settings haven’t finished updating. Re-check your CNAME record in DNS settings and allow up to 24–48 hours for propagation.

Once your tracking URL is verified, Snov.io automatically issues an SSL certificate. This adds HTTPS to all tracked emails and links, making them look safer to spam filters and helping improve your deliverability.

FAQs

1. What happens when you delete a custom tracking domain?

As long as your custom domain stays connected to at least one sender account, the SSL certificate is renewed automatically.

If you delete the last custom domain or the last email account using it, we keep your SSL certificate active for 30 more days. This is to ensure tracking for campaigns sent from this domain still works. After 30 days, the SSL will expire and the tracking domain will stop working, meaning open and click tracking will stop working.

To restore tracking for emails sent earlier with this domain, re-add the same tracking URL. Snov.io will issue a new SSL certificate automatically.

2. Is tracking totally safe with a custom domain and SSL?

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. This way, links look branded with your company name 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 email accounts under the same domain, you can add the same tracking URL and use it across all your senders.

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. However, we recommend creating a new CNAME record for tracking in Snovio.

6. What happens if I remove the CNAME record from my DNS?

Do not remove CNAME from your domain settings. 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.