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# What rules must a sender address meet?

> Which email address you choose as a sender, why you need to confirm it and how it differs from domain authentication.

For every campaign you create, you choose in step 1 which email address your subscribers see as the sender in their inbox, for example `info@mysite.co.uk`. In practice, your newsletters are sent through the Laposta system.

## Why an existing email address is required

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) sets rules for sending newsletters. For instance, it must be clear that the newsletter comes from you. You do this by using a clear sender address. You must also use an existing email address as your sender address. This helps prevent spam and gives your subscribers the option to reply to your newsletter.

You cannot use a non-existent email address. Laposta first sends a confirmation email to every new sender address. If you do not receive it, you cannot confirm the sender address.

## Use your own domain name

Where possible, Laposta recommends sending your newsletters from your own domain name rather than a personal or webmail address. This improves the deliverability of your newsletters. If possible, use `newsletter@mywebsite.co.uk` instead of `mywebsite@hotmail.com`. If you only have an address from a provider such as Gmail or Ziggo, read how to [use a free email address as a sender address](/een-gratis-e-mailadres-gebruiken-als-afzendadres).

Via Settings → Senders, you can see all the email addresses in your account that you can use as a sender address (and reply-to address). You can also [add extra sender addresses](/hoe-voeg-ik-een-nieuw-afzendadres-toe) there.

## Difference between sender address and domain authentication

You set up the sender address and domain authentication in two different places, and each serves a different purpose.

| Element                                                          | What it controls                                                                       | Where you set it up                         |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Sender address                                                   | The email address your subscribers see as the sender                                   | Settings → Senders in your account          |
| [Domain authentication](/stap-voor-stap-je-domein-authenticeren) | Allows mail servers to see that Laposta is authorised to send on behalf of your domain | In the DNS settings at your domain provider |

If you see a message next to an address, it often relates to the second row: of the six messages that can appear in the overview, two are about authentication. You can read what each message means under [Adding a new sender address](/hoe-voeg-ik-een-nieuw-afzendadres-toe). If you get a message while preparing a campaign, check [the message that not everything is in order yet](/waarom-krijg-ik-een-melding-dat-nog-niet-alles-in-orde-is-met-mijn-afzendadres).

## Related articles

#### [Can you use Gmail or Hotmail as a sender address?](/een-gratis-e-mailadres-gebruiken-als-afzendadres)

How Laposta automatically converts a sender address from providers like Gmail, Outlook…

#### [Adding and confirming a sender address](/hoe-voeg-ik-een-nieuw-afzendadres-toe)

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