Summary
ActiveCampaign and other ESPs offer tools to set up custom return paths, but potential issues arise during DMARC record handling. While ESPs like ActiveCampaign may streamline DNS setup, they might not always prevent duplicate DMARC records. Setting a DMARC policy ('none,' 'quarantine,' or 'reject') dictates how receiving servers handle authentication failures. User configuration of DMARC records in DNS is crucial. Common problems include misconfigured records, confusion among end-users, and the risk of legitimate emails being flagged as spam. Successful DMARC implementation relies on proper DKIM and SPF setup, phased deployment, continuous monitoring, and a strong understanding of DNS records and reporting.
Key findings
- ActiveCampaign Setup: ActiveCampaign facilitates custom return-path setup but can introduce duplicate DMARC records due to DNS verification processes.
- User DNS Role: Users must accurately configure DMARC records within their DNS zone as ESP assistance is limited post-setup.
- DMARC Policy Options: Configuring DMARC involves selecting a policy ('none,' 'quarantine,' or 'reject'), influencing how unauthenticated emails are treated.
- Root Causes: Primary causes of issues are inaccurate DMARC setup, misunderstandings among end-users, and incorrectly flagged legitimate emails.
- DKIM/SPF Need: Reliable DMARC relies heavily on correctly configured DKIM and SPF records.
- Implementation challenges: Difficulties of DMARC implementation and maintenance result in slow adoption
- Risks of strict policies: Setting p=reject too soon can stop genuine emails from being delivered
Key considerations
- DNS Verification: Carefully manage DNS verification processes to prevent duplicate DMARC records.
- User Education: Inform end-users about DMARC settings to minimize confusion and configuration errors.
- Record Accuracy: Validate the accuracy of DMARC records (syntax, policy) to avoid deliverability problems.
- Regular DMARC Reports: Regularly analyze DMARC reports to identify and resolve any problems and authentication failures.
- Controlled Rollout: Introduce DMARC gradually, starting with monitoring, to minimize disruption and data loss.
- Planning and testing: Thorough planning and testing is required before deploying a 'reject' policy
- Multi department coordination: For large organisations, it may require multiple departments to coordinate their activities
What email marketers say
11 marketer opinions
ESPs like ActiveCampaign simplify custom return-path setup but may create DMARC issues if not handled carefully. Some ESPs verify DNS records (excluding DMARC), potentially causing duplicate records. Users can configure DMARC records in their DNS zone to instruct receiving servers on how to handle messages failing authentication. Problems include misconfigured DMARC records, confusing end-users, and the possibility of legitimate emails being marked as spam. Setting a DMARC policy ('none,' 'quarantine,' or 'reject') helps manage email flow. Proper setup of DKIM and SPF is crucial before DMARC implementation. EasyDMARC, Postmark and Stackoverflow highlight the need for DNS configuration by the user and that once setup there is nothing more the ESP can do.
Key opinions
- ActiveCampaign setup: ActiveCampaign simplifies custom return-path setup but may lead to duplicate DMARC records due to DNS verification processes.
- DMARC Policy Configuration: DMARC policy setting includes the 'none,' 'quarantine,' and 'reject' options, each with different impacts on email delivery.
- User Configuration: Users need to configure their DMARC records correctly in their DNS zone, as the ESP's role is limited once setup.
- Potential Issues: Potential problems include incorrect DMARC configuration, user confusion, and legitimate emails being marked as spam due to errors.
- DKIM & SPF Dependency: Proper setup of DKIM and SPF is crucial before DMARC to avoid issues.
Key considerations
- DNS Verification: Be cautious about DNS verification processes during custom return-path setup to avoid duplicate DMARC records.
- User Education: Educate end-users about DMARC settings to prevent confusion and incorrect setup.
- Configuration Accuracy: Ensure accurate configuration of DMARC records, including syntax and policy, to avoid deliverability issues.
- Regular Monitoring: Regularly review DMARC reports to identify and address any issues.
- Phased Implementation: Consider phased implementation of DMARC policies.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Gmass explains how setting up DMARC with GMass is an easy process. Once you authenticate with SPF and DKIM you must decide what level of security you want for your domain. You can set a DMARC policy of “none” to simply monitor your mail stream, “quarantine” to send unauthenticated messages to the spam folder, or “reject” to tell the recipient to refuse the messages.
7 May 2024 - Gmass.co
Marketer view
Email marketer from SocketLabs explains the role of DMARC is to instruct receiving servers on what to do with emails that fail SPF and DKIM authentication, and to provide a mechanism for reporting email authentication results back to the domain owner. DMARC works by setting a policy in your domain's DNS records that tells receiving mail servers how to handle messages that fail authentication checks.
7 Apr 2025 - SocketLabs
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Implementing DMARC, particularly a 'reject' policy, requires careful planning and monitoring due to the risk of blocking legitimate emails. The complexity of DMARC, involving coordination across departments, handling edge cases, and understanding SPF, DKIM, and DMARC reports, contributes to its slow adoption. A phased implementation and close monitoring are essential.
Key opinions
- Risks of 'p=reject': Deploying DMARC with a 'p=reject' policy too quickly can result in legitimate emails being blocked.
- Complexity of DMARC: DMARC is complex due to the need for interdepartmental coordination, handling of edge cases, and understanding of technical reports (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
- Phased Implementation: A phased implementation approach is crucial for successful DMARC deployment.
- Slow Adoption: The complexity of DMARC is a major factor in its slow adoption rate.
Key considerations
- Planning & Monitoring: Thorough planning and continuous monitoring of DMARC reports are essential before implementing a 'reject' policy.
- Interdepartmental Coordination: Ensure coordination across different departments within the organization for proper DMARC implementation.
- Report Analysis: Understand and analyze SPF, DKIM, and DMARC reports to identify and address potential issues.
- Gradual Rollout: Implement DMARC gradually to minimize disruption and ensure legitimate emails are not blocked.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains the risks of deploying DMARC to 'p=reject' too quickly without proper planning and monitoring. Linford highlights the potential for legitimate emails to be blocked, emphasizing the importance of a phased implementation and careful analysis of DMARC reports. The risks and benefits of deploying DMARC are that rejecting too soon can prevent legitimate emails from being delivered and that the domain owner has to regularly monitor the daily reports.
15 Jun 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise shares that slow adoption of DMARC could be attributed to the complexity of understanding and implementing DMARC properly. Atkins further explained that it involves coordinating with different departments and dealing with edge cases which makes it difficult to get a handle on legitimate mail streams. It involves understanding SPF, DKIM, and DMARC reports which can be overwhelming.
17 Feb 2025 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
ActiveCampaign's documentation details the process of setting up a custom return-path by adding specific DNS records. Mailjet explains that DMARC protects email domains from unauthorized use, building upon SPF and DKIM. SparkPost emphasizes the importance of setting up a custom MAIL FROM domain to improve deliverability and sender reputation through SPF and DKIM configuration.
Key findings
- ActiveCampaign DNS setup: ActiveCampaign requires specific DNS records to be added for a custom return-path.
- DMARC protection: Mailjet defines DMARC as a system to protect email domains from spam and phishing, using SPF and DKIM.
- SparkPost custom MAIL FROM: SparkPost highlights the importance of a custom MAIL FROM domain (return-path) for deliverability.
- SPF/DKIM Required: SPF and DKIM are vital to proper DMARC configuration.
Key considerations
- Follow DNS instructions: Carefully follow the ESP's instructions for setting up DNS records for a custom return-path.
- DMARC Importance: Understand the role of DMARC in protecting your email domain from unauthorized use.
- MAIL FROM Domain: Set up a custom MAIL FROM domain to improve deliverability and sender reputation.
- Email security: Implement DMARC to protect your domain from spam or phishing attacks.
Technical article
Documentation from Mailjet explains DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) as an email validation system designed to protect email domains from being used for unauthorized purposes, such as spam or phishing. It builds on the SPF and DKIM protocols, adding a reporting function that allows senders and receivers to improve and monitor the protection of email.
1 Jun 2023 - Mailjet
Technical article
Documentation from SparkPost explains the importance of setting up a custom MAIL FROM domain (return-path) to improve email deliverability and sender reputation. This involves configuring SPF and DKIM records for the custom domain. It allows senders to control their bounce handling and align their brand with email communications.
5 Sep 2022 - SparkPost
Can I use DMARC with shared IP addresses?
Do DMARC and BIMI require p=reject to be present on the organizational domain?
Does a DMARC policy of 'none' negatively impact email reputation?
Does DMARC improve email deliverability and should ESPs push senders to set it up?
How can I improve SPF alignment and email deliverability when using Hubspot?
How can I resolve DMARC verification failures when using a subdomain for email sending?
How can I troubleshoot DMARC failures and identify the cause of authentication issues?
How do I properly set up DMARC records and reporting for email authentication?
What are SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and when are they needed?
