How to Set Up Your First Email Alias in 5 Minutes

An email alias lets you receive emails at a custom address (e.g. newsletter@yourdomain.com) without exposing your real inbox. This guide walks you through the full setup in under 5 minutes with SMTPy.

Step 1: Create your SMTPy account

Go to smtpy.fr/auth/register and sign up for free. The free plan includes 1 domain, 10 aliases, and 100 sent emails/month — more than enough to get started.

Step 2: Add your domain

From the dashboard, click My Domains then Add a Domain. Enter your domain name (e.g. yourdomain.com).

SMTPy automatically generates 4 DNS records to configure with your registrar:

• MX: tells the internet that your domain receives emails via SMTPy
• SPF: authorizes SMTPy to send emails on your behalf
• DKIM: cryptographically signs your outgoing emails
• DMARC: defines the policy when authentication fails

Step 3: Configure your DNS

Copy and paste the values shown in the interface into your registrar's DNS panel. The steps vary by provider:

• Namecheap: Manage → Advanced DNS
• Cloudflare: DNS → Add Record
• GoDaddy: DNS Management → Add

DNS propagation takes between 5 minutes and 2 hours. SMTPy automatically checks the configuration and notifies you as soon as everything is ready.

Step 4: Create your first alias

Once the domain is verified, go to My Aliases → Create an Alias. Enter the local part of the address (e.g. contact) and select your domain. Then add your real email address as the forwarding destination.

Example: contact@yourdomain.com → you@gmail.com

Step 5: Test your alias

Send a test email to your new alias from a different address. The message should arrive in your Gmail (or other) inbox within seconds. You can track its status under Messages.

Conclusion

You now have a working email alias! You can create as many as you like to compartmentalize your communications: one alias per service, per project, or per business partner. If you want to stop receiving emails from a service, just disable the corresponding alias.

Create your free account →