What is Domain Tracking?
Domain tracking is the process of routing links and open tracking pixels through a domain associated with your brand. Instead of using a shared, generic tracking domain (like trk.mailservice.com), you use a custom subdomain, like click.yourdomain.com. This makes your emails look more trustworthy and improves how email providers perceive your messages.
In Outreachly, we use domain tracking to monitor opens, clicks, and overall engagement - critical factors for optimizing email performance.
Why Use a Custom Tracking Domain?
Deliverability Benefits
Better alignment with your sending domain, helping pass security checks like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
Reputation control — your tracking domain reputation is independent of other senders.
Avoid shared domain risks like blacklisting and spam flags.
Brand Trust Benefits
Recipients see links that belong to your brand, increasing trust and click-through rates.
Looks professional and reduces "phishy" impressions.
Pros and Cons of Custom Tracking Domains
✅ Pros
Improved email deliverability and inbox placement.
Full brand control over your email links.
Protection from third-party sender reputation issues.
Better data consistency across your marketing stack.
❌ Cons
Setup complexity — you need to configure DNS and SSL.
Ongoing maintenance — renew certificates and manage subdomains.
Not all providers support it — Outreachly does!
Choosing a Good Tracking Domain Subdomain
Pick a clean, brand-friendly subdomain. Here are common choices:
Subdomain | Notes |
| Most popular, straightforward. |
| Clean and intuitive. |
| Transparent about tracking use. |
| Short and modern. |
| It is super short and good for SMS/email links. |
| Perfect for newsletters. |
| General, works for all email types. |
| Friendly and human-centric. |
Avoid: www or long technical names or misleading terms.
Examples
click.outreachly.ailinks.yourbrand.comgo.yourdomain.co.uk
Does Tracking Open and Clicks Impact Deliverability?
Tracking opens and clicks can affect deliverability, but the impact is positive or neutral when done correctly (especially with a custom tracking domain).
Key risks to avoid:
Using shared tracking domains with bad reputations.
Over-tracking every tiny link or image.
Link mismatches between visible URLs and real destinations.
Best practices:
Track only essential links (like CTAs).
Keep your domain reputation healthy.
Authenticate your tracking domain properly.
🚀 Success! You have all the information you need to decide if Domain Tracking is a feature you want to add to your workspace