Mailgun Setup with GoDaddy DNS for Sparkforge

By Sparkforge Support Team ·Last reviewed May 3, 2026

To connect Mailgun to a GoDaddy domain, add five DNS records — two TXT for SPF and DKIM, two MX for inbound routing, and one CNAME for tracking — then verify in Mailgun before sending a test from Sparkforge.

This guide connects a GoDaddy domain to Mailgun so Sparkforge can send branded email through your domain. Plan for 15 minutes, plus DNS propagation time.

Before you start

  1. Sign up at mailgun.com and verify the email address you used.
  2. Log in to Mailgun and click Sending > Add New Domain.
  3. Choose a subdomain (recommended) like mg.companyname.com, or use the root domain only if it isn't already attached to Gmail or another email provider.
  4. Set the region to US, not EU. Sparkforge only reads US-region Mailgun domains.
  5. Click Add domain. Leave the DNS records screen open — you'll need it for the next steps.

Add DNS records in GoDaddy

Sign in to GoDaddy, click the three dots next to your domain, and select Edit DNS.

1st TXT record (SPF)

  1. Type: TXT
  2. Host: the subdomain prefix only — for mg.companyname.com use mg; for the root domain use @.
  3. Value: v=spf1 include:mailgun.org ~all
  4. Click Save.

2nd TXT record (DKIM)

  1. Type: TXT
  2. Host: copy the host string Mailgun displays, but strip the root domain. For example, copy mx._domainkey.helpdesk rather than the full mx._domainkey.helpdesk.companyname.com.
  3. Value: paste the long DKIM value Mailgun shows for that record.
  4. Click Save.

1st MX record

If you use Gmail or Google Workspace on the root domain, set up Mailgun on a subdomain so the MX records don't collide.

  1. Type: MX
  2. Host: subdomain prefix or @ for root.
  3. Points to: mxa.mailgun.org
  4. Priority: 10
  5. Click Save.

2nd MX record

  1. Type: MX
  2. Host: same as the 1st MX.
  3. Points to: mxb.mailgun.org
  4. Priority: 10
  5. Click Save.

CNAME record (tracking)

  1. Type: CNAME
  2. Host: for mg.companyname.com use email.mg; for the root domain use email.
  3. Points to: mailgun.org
  4. Click Save.

Verify and test

  1. Return to Mailgun and click Verify DNS Settings. Re-click after a few minutes if any record still shows red.
  2. Once all records are green, copy your Mailgun API key into Sparkforge.
  3. Send a test email from Sparkforge Conversations to confirm delivery.

DNS propagation typically completes within 30 minutes but can take up to 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use my root domain or a subdomain?
Use a subdomain like mg.yourdomain.com. The root domain works only if it's not connected to any other email provider, and a subdomain isolates marketing reputation from personal email.
Why do my records still show red after saving?
DNS propagation takes time — usually under 30 minutes but up to 24 hours. Click Verify DNS Settings again after a wait. Also confirm you stripped the root domain from the host field.
Do I need all five records?
Yes. SPF and DKIM authenticate outbound mail, MX records receive replies, and the CNAME enables click and open tracking. Skipping any of them degrades deliverability.
What region should I pick in Mailgun?
US. Sparkforge reads only US-region verified Mailgun domains. EU domains will not appear in the Sparkforge domain dropdown.
Can I use Mailgun and Google Workspace on the same domain?
Not on the same domain or subdomain. Put Mailgun on a separate subdomain (like mg.yourdomain.com) and keep Google Workspace on the root.

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