---
title: "How to set or change your publication's reply-to address"
updated: 2026-05-19
---

# How to set or change your publication's reply-to address

Every beehiiv publication must have a designated reply-to address, which determines where subscriber replies will be directed. Having this address set is not only required but also important for ensuring successful email delivery and maintaining direct communication with your audience.

You can find the reply-to email address in the header data of any email.  
  
![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/27723031905559)

> **Pro Tip**
>
> For added brand recognition and trust, it’s recommended to use an email address from a [custom domain](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/14492990172823-how-to-use-a-custom-domain-for-your-publication) (e.g., name@yoursite.com) as your reply-to address.

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## Understanding your reply-to address vs. other email settings

Your reply-to email address differs from other types of email settings in your beehiiv account. Here’s a breakdown of these different aspects and their purposes:

### Account email vs. reply-to email address

The reply-to email address is separate from your account email, which is used solely for logging into your beehiiv account. If a reply-to address is not set, your account email will automatically become the default reply-to address (due to the requirement). You can update your [account email](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/19065721828375) anytime in your profile settings.

### Sender name vs. reply-to email address

Your sender name is what appears in the ‘From’ field of your emails. For a more personal approach, avoid using an email address as your sender name. Instead, use a name that resonates with your brand or identity, like in the image example above, where the sender name is ‘Tyler from beehiiv.’ This can drive engagement and strengthen your relationship with subscribers. You can adjust your [sender name](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/12293357892503) in your account settings, in the same area you update your reply-to address.

### Email username vs. reply-to email address

The [email username](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/18203673055767) is the address your subscribers will see your newsletters being sent from. Each publication is automatically assigned a working email username that can be updated anytime in **Settings >** [**Domains**](https://app.beehiiv.com/settings/publication/domain).

### Handling auto-replies and out-of-office responses

Auto-replies and out-of-office responses from subscribers are managed by their Email Service Provider (ESP) and not by beehiiv. If these types of responses become frequent or disruptive, consider changing your reply-to email address, as outlined below.

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## How to set or change your publication's reply-to address

1.  From the left hand panel dashboard, scroll down and select **Settings**.  
     
2.  Your publication settings will open. Click [**Emails**](https://app.beehiiv.com/settings/publication/emails) from the left panel.  
      
    ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/29453189801239)
3.  In the **Email Sending Details** section, you’ll find options to [update your sender name](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/12293357892503) or reply-to address. Enter your designated email in the reply-to field. If you’re updating to a new address, simply replace the old email with the new one.  
      
    If the new reply-to address is not already associated with a team member on your publication, you will be prompted to verify ownership of that address before it becomes active. Check the inbox of the new address for a verification email. If you don't receive it, see the [**Verifying your reply-to address**](#h_01KCA9VSJR8RHGDVM05MXH0BPA) section below.  
      
    ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/27723031916823)
    
    > **Reminder**
    >
    > If you don’t set a reply-to email address, it will automatically default to your account email due to the requirement.
    
4.  Your changes will save automatically and will be displayed in the preview below.  
      
    ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/27723033669527)

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## Verifying your reply-to address

When you update your reply-to email address to one that isn't already associated with a team member on your publication, you will be asked to verify ownership of that address before it can be used. beehiiv will send a verification email to the new address containing a confirmation link.

If you don't receive the verification email within a few minutes, try the following:

1.  **Check all email folders**: Look in spam, junk, promotions, social, and forums tabs, as verification emails can be filtered by your email provider.
2.  **Safelist your publication's sending domain**: Reply-to verification emails are sent from the same domain your publication uses to send newsletters, not from beehiiv's transactional email domain. If your publication uses a [custom sending domain](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/14492990172823-how-to-use-a-custom-domain-for-your-publication), safelist that domain with your email provider. If your publication is in [Smart Warming](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/14976017431319-smart-warming-and-how-it-applies-to-you), the verification email may be sent from either your custom domain or a secondary beehiiv subdomain — safelist both to ensure delivery.
3.  **Resend the verification email**: A **Resend email** button appears next to the pending address in [**Settings > Emails**](https://app.beehiiv.com/settings/publication/emails), and also in the verification modal. You can resend up to 3 times per 24 hours.
4.  **Test with a different email address**: If a specific email provider is consistently blocking verification emails, try verifying with an address from a different provider or your custom domain to confirm whether the issue is provider-specific.

Once the confirmation link is clicked, your new reply-to address will be active for future sends.

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