Suped

How can I implement a strict DMARC policy without blocking Google Workspace emails?

Summary

Implementing a strict DMARC policy without blocking legitimate emails, particularly those from Google Workspace, involves a multi-faceted approach. The consensus is to begin with a relaxed `p=none` policy to monitor email traffic, identify sending sources, and resolve any authentication issues. Ensuring correct SPF and DKIM configuration for all senders, including Google Workspace and any third-party ESPs, is crucial, especially in light of Yahoo and Gmail's 2024 requirements. DKIM alignment, where the signing domain matches the 'From' address, is also important. Subdomains can be used to isolate marketing emails and apply stricter policies without affecting the primary domain. Regular monitoring of DMARC reports is essential for identifying and addressing authentication failures. Email forwarding can break DMARC, so using SRS may be necessary. Finally, using online DMARC checkers helps validate the policy setup. A gradual transition to `p=quarantine` and then `p=reject` is recommended once you're confident in your authentication setup.

Key findings

  • Phased Rollout: Begin with `p=none`, then `p=quarantine`, and finally `p=reject`.
  • Comprehensive Authentication: Ensure SPF and DKIM are correctly configured for ALL sending sources, including Google Workspace, ESPs, and CRMs.
  • DKIM Alignment: The DKIM signing domain should align with the 'From' address domain.
  • Subdomain Isolation: Use subdomains for marketing emails for stricter policies.
  • Regular Monitoring: Monitor DMARC reports to identify and address authentication failures.

Key considerations

  • Subdomain Policy: Subdomains inherit the organizational domain's DMARC policy unless explicitly set.
  • Third-Party Setup: Follow specific setup instructions for SPF/DKIM from third-party senders.
  • Forwarding Issues: Email forwarding can break DMARC; consider SRS.
  • Policy Enforcement: `p=none` collects data; `p=quarantine` sends to spam; `p=reject` blocks.
  • 2024 Requirements: Be aware of Yahoo and Gmail's updated sender requirements regarding authentication.
  • DMARC Validation: Regularly validate DMARC record setup using online checkers.

What email marketers say

9 marketer opinions

Implementing a strict DMARC policy requires careful planning to avoid blocking legitimate emails, especially those from Google Workspace. The recommended approach involves starting with a relaxed policy (p=none) to monitor email traffic and identify all sending sources. Ensuring proper SPF and DKIM configuration is crucial, particularly for third-party senders like SendGrid. DKIM alignment, where the signing domain matches the 'From' address domain, is also essential. Subdomains can be used to isolate marketing emails and apply stricter policies without affecting primary domain deliverability. Monitoring DMARC reports helps identify authentication issues and fine-tune the policy. Forwarding can break DMARC, so using SRS may be needed. Online DMARC checkers can validate your setup.

Key opinions

  • Phased Rollout: Begin with `p=none` to monitor traffic before enforcing stricter policies.
  • Proper Authentication: Ensure SPF and DKIM are correctly configured for all sending sources, including Google Workspace and third-party senders.
  • DKIM Alignment: Verify that the DKIM signing domain aligns with the 'From' address domain.
  • Subdomain Isolation: Use subdomains for marketing emails to isolate potential authentication issues.
  • Report Monitoring: Regularly monitor DMARC reports to identify and address authentication failures.

Key considerations

  • Subdomain Policy Inheritance: If sending from a subdomain, ensure it has its own DMARC record or it will inherit the policy of the organizational domain.
  • Third-Party Configuration: Follow specific SPF/DKIM setup instructions from third-party senders like SendGrid.
  • Forwarding Impact: Be aware that email forwarding can break DMARC authentication; consider implementing SRS.
  • Regular Validation: Use online DMARC checkers to validate and maintain your policy.

Marketer view

Email marketer from Proofpoint explains that when DMARC fails, the receiving mail server takes the action outlined in your DMARC policy (none, quarantine, or reject) based on the results of SPF and DKIM checks. Without a DMARC record, domains are vulnerable to impersonation.

24 Oct 2022 - Proofpoint

Marketer view

Email marketer from AuthSMTP answers that using online DMARC checkers is important as they validate whether or not your record is correctly setup. The advise to double check it matches your providers instructions.

2 Apr 2023 - AuthSMTP

What the experts say

4 expert opinions

Implementing a strict DMARC policy without blocking legitimate emails, such as those from Google Workspace, requires a phased approach. Experts recommend starting with `p=none` to identify and resolve authentication issues before moving to stricter policies like `quarantine` or `reject`. A key requirement, especially with the 2024 Yahoo and Gmail updates, is ensuring SPF and DKIM are properly configured for *every* sender, including Google Workspace itself and any ESP/CRM used in conjunction. Failing to do so is a primary cause of deliverability problems.

Key opinions

  • Phased Implementation: DMARC deployment should progress gradually from `p=none` to `p=quarantine` and finally `p=reject`.
  • Comprehensive SPF/DKIM Setup: SPF and DKIM must be correctly configured for *all* sending sources, including Google Workspace and any connected ESP/CRMs.
  • Address Authentication Issues: Use the `p=none` phase to identify and resolve any authentication problems before enforcing stricter policies.

Key considerations

  • Gmail and Yahoo Updates: Be aware of and comply with the latest email authentication requirements from Gmail and Yahoo, particularly regarding SPF/DKIM.
  • Testing: Thorough testing of your DMARC settings is key and should be done before changing any settings.

Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise shares that DMARC deployment should be done in phases. Starting with `p=none` to monitor, then moving to `p=quarantine` and finally `p=reject` once you are confident in your email authentication setup, to avoid blocking legitimate emails.

7 Jan 2025 - Word to the Wise

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks responds to a question on implementing a strict DMARC policy. He recommends starting with `p=none` to fix any authentication issues before moving to `quarantine` or `reject`.

28 Jun 2023 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says

4 technical articles

Implementing a DMARC policy without disrupting Google Workspace emails, according to official documentation, involves a phased approach. Start with a relaxed `p=none` policy to monitor email traffic and identify all legitimate sending sources. Gradually increase the policy strictness to `p=quarantine` and then `p=reject` as you gain confidence in your authentication setup. Accurate SPF record configuration is crucial, particularly when using third-party senders, to prevent legitimate emails from failing DMARC checks. DMARC records themselves are TXT records published to your DNS zone under the `_dmarc` name.

Key findings

  • Phased Approach: Begin with `p=none` and gradually increase strictness.
  • SPF Configuration: Ensure accurate SPF records, especially for third-party senders.
  • DMARC Record Type: DMARC records are TXT records published to the DNS zone under the name `_dmarc`.

Key considerations

  • Policy Impact: `p=none` collects data without affecting deliverability; `p=quarantine` directs unauthenticated emails to spam; `p=reject` rejects them.

Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that when setting up DMARC, ensure SPF records are correctly configured to authenticate sending sources. Incorrectly configured SPF records can lead to legitimate emails failing DMARC checks, especially when using third-party senders.

12 Feb 2025 - Microsoft

Technical article

Documentation from Cloudflare explains that DMARC records are TXT records that must be published to your DNS zone using the `_dmarc` name.

14 Feb 2023 - Cloudflare

Start improving your email deliverability today

Sign up