A link domain is a custom subdomain you verify to brand and track links across your email campaigns, SMS messages, and Forms Landing Pages. By default, Omnisend uses shared tracking domains, but verifying your own subdomain builds trust with your customers and reinforces your brand identity.
This guide covers how you can verify and use a link domain in Omnisend.
Already verified your domain? Go straight to use:
Before You Begin
Link domains are available on all Omnisend plans.
It's highly recommended to already have a verified email sender domain set up in Omnisend before adding a link domain. Learn how to set up your email sender domain.
Do NOT use your email sender domain as a link domain. Always use a different subdomain (e.g.,
links.yourbrand.com) to avoid domain reputation conflicts.You'll need access to your DNS provider (like GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.) to add CNAME records. If you're not sure who your provider is, search your domain name here.
Omnisend is not responsible for DNS configuration, pricing, or limitations set by third-party DNS providers. If your provider requires additional fees or doesn't support certain record types, consult them directly.
What Is a Link Domain?
A link domain is a custom subdomain you own that Omnisend uses to track and host links across multiple features:
Email click tracking: When someone clicks a link in your campaign or automation, they're briefly routed through your link domain so Omnisend can track the click, then redirected to the final destination.
SMS short links: Long URLs in SMS messages are shortened using your link domain (e.g.,
links.yourbrand.com/abc123), saving characters and building trust.Forms Landing Page: Your Landing Page Signup Forms are hosted on your link domain (e.g.,
forms.yourbrand.com/signup) instead of Omnisend's shared domain.
What is the Difference between Link Domains and Email Domains?
Both link domains and email sender domains live under Store settings → Domains, but they serve completely different purposes:
Email sender domain proves you're authorized to send emails from your brand. It improves deliverability and prevents your emails from landing in spam.
Link domain brands every link and tracking URL in your emails, SMS, and forms. It builds trust when customers see your domain instead of generic tracking links.
| Email Sender Domain | Link Domain |
Purpose | Identifies who the email is FROM | Tracks and hosts links in emails, SMS, and forms |
Example | mystore.com | links.mystore.com |
Used for | Sending email campaigns and automations | Tracking email clicks, shortening SMS links, and hosting Landing Page Forms |
DNS records | SPF, DKIM, DMARC | CNAME (2 records) |
What it looks like to customers | "From: shop@mystore.com" in their inbox | URL in email/SMS: links.mystore.com/product |
Requirement | Must be your root domain or subdomain | Must be a subdomain (never your root domain) |
⚠️ Critical warning: Do NOT use your primary website domain for your link domain, as this can affect your store or email performance.
Your main domain should already be tied to your email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Using it for a link domain as well may cause domain reputation conflicts, which could hurt your email deliverability.
Instead, use one of these options for SMS linksyour link domain:
A subdomain, e.g., '
links.yourbrand.com'.A shortened version of your store name, e.g., 'omnsnd.com' instead of 'omnisend.com'.
Domain Verification Process
Step 1. Go to Store settings → Domains → Add domain.
Step 2. Select the Link domain (for email, SMS, and form links) and click Continue.
Step 3. Select your domain provider.
Omnisend will generate personalized setup instructions based on your DNS provider. If you're not sure who your provider is, select "I don't know" or search your domain name here to find out.
Step 4. Enter a subdomain (e.g., links.yourbrand.com) to be used as your link domain.
Important Notes:
Always use a subdomain, not your main sender domain.
Your link domain must be different from your email sending domain. Using the same domain for both can cause reputation and deliverability issues. For example, if your email sending domain is
mystore.com, your link domain should belinks.mystore.com.You can use the same subdomain for email click tracking, SMS short links, AND Landing Pages. After your domain is verified, assign it to all three features in your Domain usage settings.
You usually do not need to purchase a new domain. You can create a subdomain under your existing domain directly in your DNS provider's settings (such as GoDaddy, Shopify, or Cloudflare).
Step 5. Copy the two CNAME records shown in Omnisend and add them to your DNS provider's settings.
This step verifies your domain.
The verification process may take up to 48 hours.
Make sure the records are added correctly to avoid delays.
Note: DNS providers have different requirements and pricing structures. If your provider charges extra fees or has record type restrictions, reach out to them for help.
Step 6. Once the CNAME records are added to your DNS provider's settings, click Finish verification in Omnisend.
Step 7. Select the features that should use your link domain and wait for verification.
To automatically use your link domain once it's verified, select the checkbox for each feature:
Email click tracking
Branded SMS short links
Forms Landing Pages
Once selected, click Confirm & finish.
💡 Selecting how your link domain will be used during verification ensures it starts working immediately after the domain is verified. All links in SMS, Email, and Forms Landing Pages (based on your selection) will be automatically updated to use your verified domain.
If you skip this step, you can assign the domain later. Go to Store settings → Domains → Domain usage, and select your verified domain from the dropdown under Forms Landing Pages.
Use Your Link Domain in Email, SMS, and Forms
Once your domain is verified, you can:
Use Your Link Domain for Email Click Tracking – track link clicks in campaigns and automations
Use Your Link Domain for SMS Short Links – shorten and brand links in SMS messages
Use Your Link Domain for Landing Page Forms – host Landing Page Signup Forms on your domain
You can use the same verified domain for all three features, or verify separate domains for each.
What Happens If Your Link Domain Stops Working?
If your link domain expires or is deleted, all features using that domain will stop working immediately. This affects:
Email links — Links in previously sent campaigns and automations will stop opening.
Email images — Images in previously sent emails may stop loading.
SMS links — Shortened links in previously sent SMS messages will stop working.
Forms Landing Pages — Landing pages will no longer open, including links shared via social media, ads, websites, QR codes, or anywhere else.
Previously sent emails, SMS messages, and shared landing page links will NOT automatically revert to Omnisend’s shared domain. If this happens, you will need to:
Manually replace broken Forms links everywhere they were shared (social media, ads, websites, QR codes, etc.).
Resend affected campaigns or automation emails if necessary.
Fix the domain issue.
FAQ
What's the difference between an email sender domain and a link domain?
Email sender domain: Identifies who the email is FROM (e.g.,
shop@mystore.com). Improves email deliverability.Link domain: Brands and tracks links in emails, SMS, and forms (e.g.,
links.mystore.com/product). Builds trust with customers.
Both are set up under Store settings → Domains, but they serve different purposes and must use different domains or subdomains.
Do I need to buy a new domain?
No. You can use a subdomain of your existing website domain by setting it up in your DNS provider.
Can I use my email sender domain as a link domain?
No. Your link domain must use a subdomain and be different from your email sender domain to avoid domain reputation conflicts.
Can I use the same link domain for Email, SMS, and Forms?
Yes. You can use the same subdomain for all three features. After verification, assign it to all features in Store settings → Domains → Domain usage.
What if my domain doesn't verify?
If verification fails, check:
Both CNAME records are added exactly as shown in Omnisend (no typos or extra spaces).
Records are added under your subdomain's DNS panel, not your root domain.
There are no duplicate or conflicting records with the same "Name" field.
Contact your DNS provider to confirm DNS propagation and record formatting.
Can I verify multiple link domains?
Yes. You can verify as many domains as you need, but only one link domain can be assigned to each feature at a time (Email, SMS, Forms).
Why should my link domain be different from my email sender domain?
Using the same domain for sending and link tracking can harm your email deliverability, cause DNS conflicts, and trigger spam filters. Always use separate domains or subdomains for each purpose.
Can I switch back to Omnisend's shared domain?
Yes. You can unassign your branded domain in Store settings → Domains → Domain usage to use Omnisend's shared domain for future campaigns, SMS messages, and forms. However, previously sent emails, SMS messages, and shared Landing Page links will continue using your branded domain and will NOT automatically switch. If your branded domain is broken, those links will stop working until you fix the domain.
Any other questions on your mind? Reach out to our support team through the in-app chat or at support@omnisend.com. Our team is available 24/7.