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Add your Ark Email DNS records to DigitalOcean to start sending emails from your domain.
Already added your domain in Ark? Skip to Step 2 to configure your DNS records.

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Step 1: Add Your Domain in Ark

First, add your domain in the Ark dashboard or via the API. This generates the DNS records you’ll need to add.
  1. Go to Domains in your Ark dashboard
  2. Click Add Domain
  3. Enter your domain name (e.g., mail.yourdomain.com)
  4. Copy the DNS records shown

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Step 2: Add DNS Records

1

Open DigitalOcean DNS settings

  1. Go to cloud.digitalocean.com/networking/domains
  2. Click on your domain
2

Add the SPF record

In the “Create new record” section, select TXT and enter:
FieldValue
HostnameUse the name from the Ark dashboard (e.g., @ for root domain, mail for subdomain)
TXT Valuev=spf1 a mx include:spf.arkhq.io ~all
TTL3600 (or default)
Click Create Record.
DigitalOcean auto-appends your domain. For mail.yourdomain.com, enter mail not the full hostname.
Already have an SPF record? Edit your existing record instead. Add include:spf.arkhq.io before the ~all. You can only have one SPF record per domain.Example: v=spf1 include:spf.arkhq.io include:_spf.google.com ~all
3

Add the DKIM record

Select TXT and enter:
FieldValue
HostnameUse the name from Ark (e.g., ark-xyz._domainkey or ark-xyz._domainkey.mail for subdomains)
TXT ValueThe DKIM value from Ark (starts with k=rsa;t=s;p=...)
TTL3600 (or default)
Click Create Record.
DigitalOcean auto-appends your domain. Copy the name field exactly as shown in the Ark dashboard.
4

Add the Return Path CNAME

Select CNAME and enter:
FieldValue
HostnameUse the name from Ark (e.g., psrp or psrp.mail for subdomains)
Is an alias ofrp.arkhq.io
TTL3600 (or default)
Click Create Record.

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Step 3: Verify Your Domain

Return to the Ark dashboard and click Verify DNS records on your domain. Verification typically completes within a few minutes.
Success! Once verified, you can send emails from any address at your domain.

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Troubleshooting

  • Check record names: DigitalOcean auto-appends your domain. Use ark-verify, not the full hostname
  • Wait for propagation: DNS changes can take a few minutes. Try again shortly.
  • Check for typos: Ensure values were copied exactly from Ark
  • You can only have one SPF record per domain
  • If you have multiple email services, combine them: v=spf1 include:spf.arkhq.io include:_spf.google.com ~all
  • SPF has a 10 DNS lookup limit. Use SPF checker tools to verify
  • Use dnschecker.org to verify records are propagating globally
  • DigitalOcean DNS changes typically propagate within a few minutes

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Next Steps

Send Your First Email

Test your new domain

General Domain Setup

Learn more about DNS configuration