Overview
When marketing emails are sent, each link within the message (including calls to action and unsubscribe links) is automatically encapsulated with a tracking domain. This enables the recording of link clicks and measurement of engagement while ensuring consistent email deliverability.
By default, all accounts utilize a shared tracking domain provided by Structured. However, clients have the option to configure a custom tracking domain to align their links with their own brand identity, thereby enhancing trust among recipients and mailbox providers.
This configuration is part of the whitelisting and domain authentication process we conduct, which involves generating specific DNS records (such as CNAME entries) that must be added to your domain’s DNS settings. These records enable your branded tracking links to be served under your own domain, thereby strengthening domain alignment and sender reputation.
Custom tracking domains enhance brand trust and deliverability by displaying links that correspond with your company’s domain. They are integral to the whitelisting and authentication setup that links your email infrastructure with your DNS. However, since Structured does not manage customer-owned domains, these links default to HTTP. If recipients employ strict HTTPS-only browser settings, they may encounter security warnings. Disabling this setting or reverting to the default tracking domain will immediately resolve the issue, although removing the custom tracking domain will forfeit the benefits of brand alignment.
What Is a Custom Tracking Domain?
A custom tracking domain replaces the generic tracking link (for example, http://ct.exampleprovider.net/...) with one that reflects your brand, such as http://url.yourcompany.com/....
This provides several key benefits:
Brand alignment: Recipients see your brand name in the links they click, which increases trust and recognition.
Improved deliverability: Mailbox providers (like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo) consider domain consistency when evaluating the trustworthiness of an email. When the domain in your links matches the domain in your sender address, it signals stronger brand alignment and reduces the chance of your message being flagged as spam or phishing.
Better analytics and control: Custom tracking domains also make it easier to manage engagement reporting at the brand level.
Why Custom Tracking Links Use HTTP by Default
Custom tracking domains are served over HTTP by default. This is standard across most email marketing platforms because each custom tracking domain is owned and managed by the customer, not by Structured.
Since Structured does not control or host customer-owned domains, we cannot automatically provision or maintain SSL certificates on your behalf. For this reason, branded tracking links operate using HTTP unless the domain owner manually configures an SSL certificate through their own provider.
When HTTPS Enforcement Causes Issues
Certain corporate networks or browsers include a security feature known as “Always use secure connections (HTTPS)”. When this option is enabled, the browser automatically attempts to open all links using HTTPS.
If a recipient with this setting clicks on a branded tracking link that is delivered over HTTP, their browser will present a security warning prior to the redirection.
This behavior can impact both CTA buttons and unsubscribe links.
How to Resolve or Avoid This Issue
There are two possible ways to prevent the HTTPS security message:
Disable the “Always use secure connections (HTTPS)” browser setting
Once that option is disabled, the links will open normally. This setting is usually only active in managed corporate environments and not for regular users.Remove custom tracking domains
We can remove your custom branded tracking domain. In that case, your emails will use the default shared tracking domain, which already supports HTTPS and will not trigger this warning.
Considerations When Disabling Custom Tracking Domains
If you choose to remove your custom tracking domain, please note that your email links will no longer display your company’s domain.
Instead, recipients will see a shared, generic domain managed by Structured.
While this resolves the HTTPS browser warning, it also means:
No brand alignment: Links will no longer show your company’s domain, which may slightly reduce brand recognition and trust among recipients.
Less consistent sender reputation: Mailbox providers will see different domains for the sender and the links, which could have a minor impact on domain reputation over time.
For most cases, this trade-off is minor, but it’s important to be aware of the difference.
Optional: Enabling HTTPS for Custom Tracking Links
If you require HTTPS for your branded tracking links, you can provision and manage an SSL certificate for your domain through a third-party service of your choice.
Please note that Structured is not involved in this process and does not provide support for the configuration or maintenance of third-party SSL services. Our team can only assist with the configurations related to Structured’s own infrastructure, such as DNS record validation or email platform setup.
If you decide to enable HTTPS through your provider, make sure your DNS and certificate configuration are correctly managed by your IT or domain administrator.
Review Our HTTPS Click & Open Tracking Configuration Guide
Summary
| Feature | Shared Tracking Domain | Custom Tracking Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Default protocol | HTTPS | HTTP |
| Branding | Generic | Matches your brand domain |
| Deliverability trust | Standard | Higher (domain alignment) |
| SSL management | Managed by Structured | Managed by the customer |
| Affected by HTTPS-only browsers | No | Yes (if HTTPS enforced) |
| Brand alignment | Lost when disabled | Preserved |