Summary
Improving email deliverability and understanding DMARC involves a multifaceted approach. Implementing and correctly configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is crucial for email authentication and preventing spoofing. A relaxed DMARC policy ('p=none') is recommended initially for monitoring email traffic to identify legitimate sending sources. Maintaining a good sender reputation, cleaning email lists, and segmenting audiences enhance deliverability. Testing tools help identify deliverability issues before sending campaigns. Resources like Spam Resource offer articles on DKIM, SPF, DMARC, and BIMI. DMARC, a DNS TXT record, tells receivers how to handle authentication failures. TXT records are general-purpose, and using BIMI requires DMARC set to quarantine or reject. Microsoft recommends using the Feedback Loop (FBL) program for improved deliverability to Outlook.com.
Key findings
- Authentication Frameworks: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are essential for email authentication and preventing spoofing.
- DMARC Policy Importance: DMARC policy dictates how receivers handle authentication failures.
- Initial 'p=none' Policy: Start with a relaxed DMARC policy ('p=none') for monitoring before stricter enforcement.
- Sender Reputation Matters: Maintaining a good sender reputation significantly improves deliverability.
- List Hygiene: Regularly cleaning and segmenting email lists is crucial for deliverability.
- Testing is Key: Email deliverability testing tools identify potential issues before campaigns are sent.
- PTR Record: Reverse DNS records are very important. Ensure the IP address of your mail server has a matching PTR record.
Key considerations
- Proper Implementation: Correctly implement and configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for optimal results.
- DMARC Report Monitoring: Regularly monitor DMARC reports to identify unauthorized sending sources and adjust policies.
- TXT Records: TXT records are general and don't imply protocol commonality.
- Gradual DMARC Adoption: Implement DMARC gradually to avoid disrupting legitimate email flows.
- Leverage BIMI: If using BIMI, ensure DMARC is set to quarantine or reject.
- Microsoft FBL Program: Utilize the Microsoft Feedback Loop program for improved deliverability to Outlook.com.
What email marketers say
8 marketer opinions
Understanding DMARC and email deliverability involves several key practices. Proper setup and monitoring of DMARC, SPF, and DKIM records are crucial for authenticating emails and preventing spoofing. Starting with a relaxed DMARC policy ('p=none') allows for monitoring email traffic before implementing stricter policies. Maintaining a good sender reputation through engaging content and avoiding spam traps is essential. Regularly cleaning email lists and segmenting audiences, along with using a dedicated IP address, can significantly improve deliverability. Additionally, utilizing email deliverability testing tools to check spam scores and inbox placement, along with ensuring correct reverse DNS (PTR) records, are vital for optimizing email performance.
Key opinions
- DMARC Setup & Monitoring: Properly setting up and monitoring DMARC records is crucial for email authentication and preventing domain spoofing.
- Relaxed DMARC Policy: Starting with a relaxed DMARC policy ('p=none') enables monitoring of email traffic to identify legitimate sending sources.
- Sender Reputation: Maintaining a good sender reputation by avoiding spam traps and engaging with subscribers is essential for deliverability.
- List Hygiene & Segmentation: Regularly cleaning email lists and segmenting audiences improves email engagement and deliverability.
- Testing Tools: Using email deliverability testing tools helps identify potential issues with spam scores, authentication, and inbox placement.
- Reverse DNS Records: Ensuring the mail server has a PTR record is vital to validate the identity.
Key considerations
- Gradual DMARC Implementation: Implement DMARC gradually, starting with a 'p=none' policy to avoid disrupting legitimate email flows.
- Monitoring DMARC Reports: Regularly monitor DMARC reports to identify unauthorized sending sources and adjust DMARC policies as needed.
- Dedicated IP Address: Consider using a dedicated IP address to build and maintain a consistent sender reputation.
- Engaging Content: Create engaging and relevant content to encourage subscriber interaction and avoid being marked as spam.
- Testing and Iteration: Continuously test email campaigns and iterate based on deliverability metrics to optimize performance.
- Reverse DNS Setup: Verify that the mail server has a PTR record.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Litmus.com explains the importance of maintaining a good sender reputation by sending relevant content, engaging with subscribers, and avoiding spam traps. A positive reputation improves deliverability.
21 Sep 2021 - Litmus.com
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit user u/EmailPro2024 suggests starting with a relaxed DMARC policy (p=none) to monitor email traffic and identify legitimate sending sources before moving to stricter policies like quarantine or reject.
2 May 2022 - Reddit
What the experts say
7 expert opinions
Understanding DMARC and email deliverability involves grasping the function of authentication frameworks like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. While the technical aspects of DMARC haven't significantly changed, there's growing pressure for bulk senders to implement basic authentication. DMARC serves as a policy for email receivers, specifying actions for messages failing authentication, aiding in preventing unauthorized email usage. TXT records in DNS, utilized by various protocols, do not inherently indicate commonality between these protocols. BIMI enables the display of brand logos in inboxes, contingent on DMARC being set to quarantine or reject. Resources like Spam Resource provide articles on DKIM, SPF, DMARC, and BIMI.
Key opinions
- Authentication Frameworks: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are essential authentication frameworks to improve email security and deliverability.
- DMARC Policy: DMARC is a policy that tells email receivers how to handle messages that fail authentication checks.
- TXT Records: TXT records in DNS are used by many protocols to store information but do not imply a commonality between them.
- BIMI Requirement: BIMI requires DMARC to be set to quarantine or reject to display brand logos in email inboxes.
- Increased Expectations for Authentication: There is a growing expectation that bulk senders should be using basic authentication.
Key considerations
- Implementing Authentication: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to ensure your emails are properly authenticated.
- Setting DMARC Policy: Set your DMARC policy appropriately to protect your domain from unauthorized use.
- Leveraging BIMI: If you want to display your brand logo in email inboxes, ensure DMARC is set to quarantine or reject and implement BIMI.
- Staying Updated: Keep up-to-date with the latest best practices for email authentication and deliverability.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares links to the Auth section on Spam Resource for articles about DKIM, SPF, DMARC, BIMI, etc., as well as a "Deliverability Terms" section with definitions and a free "Monitor" solution from Valimail.
17 Nov 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks mentions that while DMARC hasn't changed technically much recently, there's an increased expectation for bulk senders to use basic authentication.
6 Oct 2024 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
Understanding DMARC and email deliverability involves using it with SPF and DKIM to define how receivers handle authentication failures, thus preventing spoofing and phishing. DMARC monitoring identifies unauthorized domain use by analyzing reports. Implementing DMARC involves creating DNS records and adjusting policies based on report analysis. For Google Workspace, specific steps exist for DMARC implementation, while Microsoft recommends using FBL for Outlook.com deliverability.
Key findings
- DMARC Function: DMARC, as a DNS TXT record, dictates how email receivers manage messages failing SPF or DKIM checks.
- Authentication Trio: Using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC together is vital for robust email authentication.
- DMARC Monitoring: DMARC monitoring aids in identifying and preventing unauthorized domain use in email.
- Google Workspace DMARC: Google Workspace provides specific steps for DMARC implementation to ensure compliance.
- Microsoft & FBL: Microsoft recommends using the Feedback Loop (FBL) program to monitor complaints and safelists for improved Outlook.com deliverability.
Key considerations
- DMARC Record Creation: Create and properly configure DMARC records to specify actions for authentication failures.
- Regular DMARC Monitoring: Regularly monitor DMARC reports to identify sending sources and authentication failures.
- Policy Adjustment: Adjust DMARC policies based on the analysis of DMARC reports.
- Google Workspace Implementation: Follow Google's outlined steps for DMARC implementation within Google Workspace.
- Microsoft FBL Usage: Utilize Microsoft's Feedback Loop (FBL) to monitor complaints and stay on safelists for improved deliverability to Outlook.com.
Technical article
Documentation from dmarcian.com provides an overview of DMARC, explaining that it's a DNS TXT record that specifies how email receivers should handle messages that fail SPF or DKIM checks. It helps prevent email spoofing and phishing attacks.
4 Oct 2024 - dmarcian.com
Technical article
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help outlines the steps to implement DMARC for a Google Workspace domain. It covers creating a DMARC record, publishing it to DNS, and monitoring reports to ensure compliance.
6 Mar 2025 - Google Workspace Admin Help
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How do SPF, DKIM, and DMARC email authentication standards work?
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What are the best resources for learning about email deliverability?
What are the best resources for learning about email deliverability?
What are the best resources for learning about email deliverability?
