Docs/APIs/DKIM Validator

DKIM Validator

Validate DKIM records for a domain

OperationalCredits 5 per callp50 383msDomain DataStar

Overview

This tool inspects the DKIM record by performing DNS lookups for common selectors. It validates the syntax, surfaces the public-key length in bits, flags testing mode, and derives a composite email-signing posture score so you can tell at a glance whether a domain's DKIM key actually protects its mail.

Endpoint

One host, one path per API. The block below shows this call in four languages; every one of them is the same HTTP request. Making requests covers the timeouts, retries and parameter rules that apply to all of them. The SDKs wrap the same call in a typed client.

GEThttps://api.apiverve.com/v1/dkimvalidator
curl "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/dkimvalidator?domain=google.com&selector=google" \
  -H "x-api-key: your_api_key_here"
const res = await fetch('https://api.apiverve.com/v1/dkimvalidator?domain=google.com&selector=google', {
  headers: { 'x-api-key': 'your_api_key_here' },
});

if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${res.status} ${await res.text()}`);

const { data } = await res.json();
console.log(data);
import requests

res = requests.get(
    "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/dkimvalidator?domain=google.com&selector=google",
    headers={"x-api-key": "your_api_key_here"},
    timeout=15,
)
res.raise_for_status()

print(res.json()["data"])
package main

import (
	"fmt"
	"io"
	"net/http"
)

func main() {
	req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/dkimvalidator?domain=google.com&selector=google", nil)
	req.Header.Set("x-api-key", "your_api_key_here")

	res, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
	if err != nil {
		panic(err)
	}
	defer res.Body.Close()

	out, _ := io.ReadAll(res.Body)
	fmt.Println(string(out))
}

Replace your_api_key_here with the key from your dashboard. When the inputs arrive as a list rather than one at a time, batch requests run up to 200 of them through this same API in a single call.

Authentication

Send your key in the x-api-key header. That is the only auth step — there is no token exchange and no per-endpoint scope to configure. Authentication covers creating, rotating and revoking keys.

401 is the only auth verdict

A 401 means the key is missing, invalid or expired. A 403 means the key is valid but not permitted here — blocked by a key restriction or an IP allow-list. Running out of credits is a 429.

Parameters

Sent in the query string. Premium parameters are accepted on every plan but only take effect on plans that include them.

ParameterTypeDescription
domainRequiredstringThe domain to validate the DKIM record for
domain
selectorOptionalstringThe DKIM selector to look up (the label before ._domainkey). When omitted, a list of common selectors is tried

Response

Every API returns the same three top-level keys, so one response handler covers your whole integration: status, error and data. Only data changes shape. Response format covers the envelope, the other output formats and how premium fields are withheld.

Sample response
{
  "status": "ok",
  "error": null,
  "data": {
    "selector": "20230601",
    "host": "google.com",
    "dkim_host": "20230601._domainkey.google.com",
    "cname_target": null,
    "has_dkim_record": true,
    "dkim_record": "v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=MIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAQ8AMIIBCgKCAQEA4zd3nfUoLHWFbfoPZzAb8bvjsFIIFsNypweLuPe4M+vAP1YxObFxRnpvLYz7Z+bORKLber5aGmgFF9iaufsH1z0+aw8Qex7uDaafzWoJOM/6lAS5iI0JggZiUkqNpRQLL7H6E7HcvOMC61nJcO4r0PwLDZKwEaCs8gUHiqRn/SS3wqEZX29v/VOUVcI4BjaOz",
    "dkim_records_count": 1,
    "version": "DKIM1",
    "key_type": "rsa",
    "key_bits": 1416,
    "is_test_mode": false,
    "issues_found": [
      {
        "code": "WEAK_PUBLIC_KEY_BITS",
        "type": "warning",
        "message": "Public key uses weak 1416 bits"
      }
    ],
    "valid": true,
    "risk_score": 25,
    "risk_level": "medium"
  }
}

Response fields

Paths are relative to data. Premium fields are absent rather than zeroed on plans that do not include them, so check for presence instead of comparing to 0.

FieldTypeExampleDescription
selectorstring"20230601"DKIM selector used for DNS record lookup
hoststring"google.com"Domain name being validated
dkim_hoststring"20230601._domainkey.google.com"Full DKIM DNS record hostname with selector
cname_targetobjectnullCNAME target if present in DNS record
has_dkim_recordbooleantrueWhether DKIM record exists in domain DNS
dkim_recordstring"v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=MIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAQ8AMIIBCgKCAQEA4zd3nfUoLHWFbfoPZzAb8bvjsFIIFsNypweLuPe4M+vAP1YxObFxRnpvLYz7Z+bORKLber5aGmgFF9iaufsH1z0+aw8Qex7uDaafzWoJOM/6lAS5iI0JggZiUkqNpRQLL7H6E7HcvOMC61nJcO4r0PwLDZKwEaCs8gUHiqRn/SS3wqEZX29v/VOUVcI4BjaOz"Complete DKIM record value and public key
dkim_records_countnumber1Number of DKIM records found for domain
versionstring"DKIM1"DKIM protocol version from record
key_typestring"rsa"Public key algorithm type used
key_bitsnumber1416Length of the DKIM public key in bits. 2048 or higher is the current recommendation; below 1024 is dangerously weak. 0 indicates a revoked key (empty p= value), and null means no decodable key is present
is_test_modebooleanfalseWhether the record sets t=y (testing mode). In testing mode receivers are told to treat mail as if DKIM were not deployed, so signatures carry no enforcement weight
issues_foundPremiumarray[1]Array of detected issues with DKIM configuration
codePremiumstring"WEAK_PUBLIC_KEY_BITS"Error code identifying the specific issue
typePremiumstring"warning"Severity level of the issue
messagePremiumstring"Public key uses weak 1416 bits"Human-readable description of the issue
validbooleantrueOverall DKIM record validity status
risk_scorePremiumnumber25Composite 0-100 email-signing weakness score derived from the key length, testing mode and hash algorithm — higher means the deployed DKIM key offers less real protection (a revoked or sub-1024-bit key scores high; a 2048-bit enforced key scores low)
risk_levelPremiumstring"medium"Risk band derived from the score: low, medium or high

Errors

Read the HTTP status first, then error for the specific reason. The body names the parameter that has to change. Error handling covers the full status list and which of them are worth retrying.

StatusMeaningWhat to do
400Input was rejectedRead error; it names the parameter.
401Key missing or invalidCheck the header name and the key value.
403Key valid, but not permittedA key restriction or IP allow-list; see key scoping.
429Rate limited, or out of creditsRead error to tell them apart; see rate limits.

Other ways to use DKIM Validator

Set up DKIM Validator on APIVerve, or reach the same source a different way. Your APIVerve account and credits work on all of them — one key, one balance.

Give it to an AI agentConnect over MCP and your agent calls it as a native tool — Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT.VerveKitReference →
Use it in Google Sheets or ExcelA =VERVE() formula fills a column — no script, no export, recalculates in place.VerveSheetsReference →
Ground an agent on itA cited, machine-checkable fact your model can't produce on its own.VerveContextReference →

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