Summary
To comply with Gmail and Yahoo's new requirements, DMARC implementation necessitates a nuanced approach. Starting with a basic 'v=DMARC1; p=none;' record is a safe initial step to monitor the impact on deliverability. However, to fully meet the requirements, a 'quarantine' or 'reject' policy is necessary. Proper SPF and DKIM configuration and alignment with the 'From' domain are crucial prerequisites. Consistent monitoring of DMARC reports, using 'rua' and 'ruf' tags for detailed insights, is essential to identify authentication issues and improve deliverability. The DMARC standard, defined in RFC 7489, provides the framework for understanding and implementing these policies.
Key findings
- DMARC Policy: Gmail and Yahoo require a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject' for compliance.
- Initial Deployment: Starting with 'p=none' allows for monitoring impact before stricter enforcement.
- SPF/DKIM Alignment: Proper SPF and DKIM configuration and alignment are critical for DMARC effectiveness.
- Report Monitoring: Consistent monitoring of DMARC reports is essential for identifying issues.
- Reporting Tags: Using 'rua' and 'ruf' tags enables detailed reporting on authentication performance.
Key considerations
- Deliverability Impact: Be aware that DMARC can negatively impact deliverability if not configured correctly.
- Domain Usage: If the domain is used in multiple places, ensure all sources are authenticated.
- Report Analysis: Regularly analyze DMARC reports to identify and address any authentication failures.
- RFC Compliance: Adhere to the DMARC standard (RFC 7489) for proper implementation.
What email marketers say
9 marketer opinions
To comply with Gmail and Yahoo's new requirements, a DMARC record should be implemented and actively managed. While a minimal record of "v=DMARC1; p=none;" can be used initially, a stronger policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject' is recommended for full compliance and enhanced protection. Proper SPF and DKIM configuration, along with alignment with the 'From' domain, is crucial. Consistent monitoring of DMARC reports using 'rua' and 'ruf' tags is essential to identify and address authentication issues and improve email deliverability.
Key opinions
- DMARC Policy: Setting DMARC policies to 'quarantine' or 'reject' is recommended for full compliance with Gmail and Yahoo's new requirements.
- SPF/DKIM Alignment: Proper SPF and DKIM configuration and alignment with the 'From' domain are crucial for DMARC effectiveness.
- Monitoring: Consistent monitoring of DMARC reports is essential for identifying and addressing authentication issues and security threats.
- Initial DMARC Setting: The bare minimum DMARC record to use is: 'v=DMARC1; p=none;'.
Key considerations
- Domain Usage: If your domain is used in many places, ensure all sending sources are authenticated before implementing a strict DMARC policy.
- Report Analysis: Analyze DMARC reports to understand the impact of your DMARC policy and make necessary adjustments.
- Gradual Implementation: Consider a gradual implementation of stricter DMARC policies to avoid deliverability issues.
- RUA/RUF Tags: Utilize 'rua' and 'ruf' tags in your DMARC record to receive aggregate and forensic reports for better insights.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailjet shares that DMARC policies should be set to 'quarantine' or 'reject' to fully comply with new requirements and actively prevent unauthorized use of your domain. Monitoring DMARC reports is essential to identify and address any authentication issues.
12 Sep 2021 - Mailjet
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit explains the importance of consistent DMARC monitoring to identify authentication issues and unauthorized sending sources. Use DMARC reporting tools to analyze reports and promptly address any failures.
17 Dec 2023 - Reddit
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
Complying with Gmail and Yahoo's new email authentication requirements involves a few key aspects of DMARC. It's crucial to understand the potential negative impact of DMARC on deliverability and to initially deploy it with a policy of 'p=none' until the implications are fully understood. DMARC alignment, which involves ensuring SPF and DKIM records match the sending domain, is also critical. Additionally, setting up an 'rua' flag to point to a legitimate report handler enables monitoring of DMARC reports, helping to identify and address deliverability issues and unauthorized email sending.
Key opinions
- DMARC Impact: DMARC can negatively impact deliverability if not implemented correctly.
- Initial Policy: Start with a DMARC policy of 'p=none' to understand the impact before implementing stricter policies.
- DMARC Alignment: Ensuring proper DMARC alignment with SPF and DKIM is essential.
- Reporting: Setting up an 'rua' flag is important for monitoring DMARC reports.
Key considerations
- Deliverability Risks: Be aware of the potential risks to deliverability when implementing DMARC.
- Thorough Understanding: Thoroughly understand the implications of DMARC before changing the policy from 'p=none'.
- Report Monitoring: Actively monitor DMARC reports to identify and address issues.
- SPF/DKIM Validation: Verify that SPF and DKIM records are correctly configured and aligned with your sending domain.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that to comply with new Gmail and Yahoo requirements, DMARC policies must be set to either 'quarantine' or 'reject' to instruct recipient servers on how to handle unauthenticated emails. They emphasize the importance of monitoring DMARC reports to identify and address any deliverability issues.
1 Jan 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise shares that DMARC alignment is critical for meeting new email authentication requirements. Ensuring that SPF and DKIM records align with your sending domain significantly improves email deliverability and prevents fraudulent use of your domain.
16 Apr 2025 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
To meet the latest Gmail and Yahoo requirements, DMARC records are essential. These records should include a 'p=' tag with a policy of either 'quarantine' or 'reject' to manage unauthenticated emails and protect against spoofing. Proper email authentication using SPF and DKIM is also required, with alignment to sending practices to safeguard domain reputation and improve deliverability. The DMARC standard, as outlined in RFC 7489, dictates how recipient mail servers should handle emails failing DMARC checks.
Key findings
- DMARC Policy: Gmail and Yahoo require a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject'.
- SPF/DKIM Authentication: SPF and DKIM are essential for email authentication.
- DMARC Alignment: DMARC records should align with sending practices.
- RFC 7489: RFC 7489 defines how mail servers handle DMARC failures.
Key considerations
- Policy Enforcement: Carefully consider the impact of 'quarantine' and 'reject' policies on legitimate emails.
- SPF/DKIM Setup: Ensure SPF and DKIM are correctly configured and validated.
- Reputation Management: Monitor domain reputation to maintain deliverability.
- Standard Compliance: Adhere to the DMARC standard (RFC 7489) for correct implementation.
Technical article
Documentation from Yahoo Mail requires senders to authenticate their email using SPF or DKIM. They also advise implementing DMARC records that align with your sending practices to protect your domain's reputation and improve deliverability to Yahoo Mail users.
11 Oct 2021 - Yahoo Mail
Technical article
Documentation from RFC Editor shares that the DMARC standard (RFC 7489) specifies that DMARC policies define how recipient mail servers should handle emails that fail DMARC checks. This standard is foundational for understanding DMARC implementation and compliance.
8 Apr 2025 - RFC Editor
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