Summary
Receiving multiple DMARC reports from the same domain is a common occurrence stemming from various factors related to email sending infrastructure, authentication, and reporting practices. Primarily, each email receiving organization (like Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) generates its own DMARC report for each sending domain. High report volume can also arise from using multiple Email Service Providers (ESPs), each of which will generate separate reports. Furthermore, variations within the email stream itself, such as different source IPs, subdomains, or authentication results, can trigger multiple reports even within the same reporting period. Experts emphasize the importance of analyzing these reports to understand the underlying causes, checking email headers, source IPs, and the involvement of third-party senders. Reports from domains that don't send email and issues in SPF alignment are other notable considerations, as is the need for regular monitoring of DMARC reports.
Key findings
- Report per Receiving Domain: Each email receiving organization (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) sends its own DMARC report.
- Multiple ESPs: Using multiple ESPs leads to separate DMARC reports from each ESP.
- Mail Stream Variations: Different source IPs, subdomains, or authentication results within your email streams can generate multiple reports.
- Aggregation practices: Some receivers aggregate reports based on the specified time frame or amount.
- SPF Alignment Matters: SPF failing in the policy section of a DMARC report means the SPF domain doesn't align with the header_from domain, even if SPF authentication passes.
Key considerations
- Analyze DMARC Reports: Thoroughly analyze DMARC reports to identify the specific reasons for DMARC failures and increased report volume.
- Check Headers and IPs: Examine email headers, source IPs, and third-party senders to determine the origin of emails generating the reports.
- Monitor Regularly: Regularly monitor DMARC reports to identify and address any deliverability issues promptly.
- Address Authentication Issues: Implement proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) practices for all sending sources to improve deliverability.
What email marketers say
11 marketer opinions
Multiple DMARC reports from the same domain are common and arise from various factors. Each receiving domain sends a separate report. Therefore, if you send to multiple receiving domains (e.g., Yahoo, Gmail, etc.), you'll get a report from each. Also, variations in mail streams (different source IPs, authentication results, or subdomains) can trigger multiple reports. Using multiple email service providers (ESPs) also contributes to this, as each ESP generates its own report. DMARC reports show authentication results for DKIM and SPF, along with the DMARC policy evaluation. It's important to analyze these reports to understand the cause, checking headers, source IPs, and third-party senders.
Key opinions
- Report per Receiver: Each receiving domain (like Yahoo or Gmail) generates a separate DMARC report.
- Mail Stream Variations: Different source IPs, authentication results, or subdomains can trigger multiple reports from the same sending domain.
- Multiple ESPs: Using multiple email service providers (ESPs) leads to each ESP generating its own DMARC report.
- SPF Alignment Failure: SPF failing in the policy section of a DMARC report means the SPF domain doesn't align with the header_from domain, even if SPF authentication passes.
Key considerations
- Analyze Reports: Carefully analyze DMARC reports to identify the causes of DMARC failures and high report volume.
- Check Headers/IPs: Examine email headers, source IPs, and third-party senders mentioned in the DMARC reports to pinpoint the origin of the emails.
- Subdomain Handling: If using subdomains, be aware that each may be treated as a separate entity, generating its own DMARC report.
- Third-Party Senders: If using third-party senders, ensure they are properly authenticating emails on your behalf to avoid DMARC failures.
Marketer view
Email marketer from StackExchange shares that the quantity of reports you receive reflects the number of distinct entities processing mail from your domain. Different organizations means multiple reports.
16 Dec 2023 - StackExchange
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains they send a report per receiving domain.
19 Nov 2021 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Multiple DMARC reports from the same domain can occur because ESPs may use different mail streams for various messages. Additionally, it's common to see reports from domains that aren't actually sending mail. Therefore, reviewing and monitoring DMARC reports is important.
Key opinions
- Different Mail Streams: ESPs using different mail streams for various messages can result in multiple DMARC reports.
- Reports from Non-Sending Domains: It's a common issue to receive DMARC reports from domains that do not send mail.
Key considerations
- Review and Monitor: It is important to regularly review and monitor DMARC reports.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise notes that one common problem is seeing reports from domains that don't send mail. It is important to review and monitor DMARC reports.
6 Aug 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that multiple DMARC reports from the same domain can be caused by ESPs using different mail streams for different messages.
16 Jul 2021 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
DMARC reports are typically sent daily by each organization receiving mail from a sending domain. Multiple ESPs can result in separate DMARC reports, and reports are often sent for different date ranges. Aggregate reports are sent periodically, so receiving multiple reports over time is expected.
Key findings
- Daily Reports: DMARC reports are typically sent once per day by each receiving organization.
- Multiple ESPs: Using multiple ESPs results in each ESP generating its own DMARC report.
- Periodic Aggregate Reports: Aggregate DMARC reports are sent on a periodic basis (e.g., daily).
Key considerations
Technical article
Documentation from RFC7489 specifies that aggregate reports are typically sent on a periodic basis (e.g., daily) and contain summarized data about the authentication results seen by the reporting organization. Therefore, you can expect multiple reports over time.
15 Oct 2024 - RFC Editor
Technical article
Documentation from DMARC.org explains that DMARC reports are typically sent once per day, per sending domain, by each organization receiving mail from that domain. However, the exact frequency may vary depending on the reporting policies of the receiver.
26 Aug 2021 - DMARC.org
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