Summary
Google Postmaster Tools reports SPF misalignment despite a passing DMARC for the subdomain primarily due to domain alignment issues and the absence of a DMARC record on the root domain. SPF misalignment occurs when the 'Mail From' (Return-Path) domain doesn't align with the domain in the 'From:' header, even if SPF authentication itself passes. DMARC requires either strict or relaxed alignment. To resolve this, ensure the 'Mail From' domain aligns with the 'From:' domain. A separate DMARC record is necessary for the root domain because DMARC for a subdomain doesn't automatically extend to the root. Implement a DMARC policy on the root domain, starting with 'p=none' to monitor reports and understand potential impacts before enforcing stricter policies. Additionally, it's crucial to include all sending sources in the SPF record using the 'include:' mechanism, and if using Salesforce, note that it only handles DMARC for the subdomain, requiring separate DMARC management for the root domain. For users with wildcard subdomains through services like WP Engine, manually adding the `_dmarc` record is required.
Key findings
- Domain Alignment: SPF misalignment happens when the 'Mail From' domain does not align with the domain in the 'From:' header, even with a passing SPF.
- Root Domain DMARC: DMARC for subdomains doesn't cover the root; a DMARC record is crucial on the root to prevent domain spoofing.
- SPF Record Completeness: Ensure all authorized sending sources are included in the SPF record via mechanisms like 'include:'.
- DMARC Policy Enforcement: Implement a DMARC policy on the root domain, starting with 'p=none' to monitor traffic before enforcing stricter policies.
- Return-Path Configuration: Verify 'Return-Path' is correctly configured, aligning with your sending domain for DMARC compliance.
Key considerations
- Domain Verification: Verify alignment between 'Mail From' domain and the domain in the 'From:' header.
- Root Domain Implementation: Add a DMARC record to the root domain, even if all emails are sent through a subdomain.
- Salesforce DMARC Handling: Salesforce only handles DMARC for the subdomain; a separate DMARC strategy is required for the root.
- Initial DMARC Policy: Begin with 'p=none' when first implementing DMARC to monitor traffic and gather insights before enforcing stricter policies.
- SPF Accuracy: Regularly review and update your SPF record to ensure all authorized sending sources are included.
What email marketers say
12 marketer opinions
Google Postmaster Tools may show SPF misalignment despite passing DMARC for a subdomain due to several reasons, primarily concerning domain alignment issues. SPF misalignment occurs when the domain used for SPF authentication (the 'Mail From' or return-path) doesn't match the domain in the 'From:' header, even if SPF authentication itself passes. DMARC requires either strict or relaxed alignment for full compliance. To fix this, it's essential to ensure the 'Mail From' domain aligns with the 'From:' domain. Additionally, DMARC for a subdomain doesn't cover the root domain, necessitating a separate DMARC record for the root domain. This record should be set up with at least a 'p=none' policy initially to monitor reports and assess potential impacts before implementing stricter policies. Ensuring all sending sources are included in the SPF record using the 'include:' mechanism is also vital.
Key opinions
- SPF/DMARC Alignment: SPF can pass, but DMARC might fail if the SPF authenticated domain does not align with the domain presented to the user in the 'From:' header.
- Root Domain DMARC: DMARC for subdomains does not automatically cover the root domain; a separate DMARC record is needed for the root domain.
- SPF Record Completeness: The SPF record must include all authorized sending sources (servers) for your domain using mechanisms like 'include:'.
- Return-Path Configuration: Ensure the 'Return-Path' (Mail From) domain is correctly configured and matches your sending domain to achieve DMARC compliance.
- DMARC Monitoring: Set up DMARC reporting (p=none initially) on the root domain to monitor how emails are being handled and to identify authentication issues before enforcing stricter policies.
Key considerations
- Domain Alignment: Verify that the 'Mail From' domain and the 'From:' header domain are aligned for SPF/DMARC compliance.
- Root Domain Protection: Implement a DMARC record on the root domain to protect against domain spoofing, even if you only send emails from subdomains.
- SPF Record Updates: Review and update your SPF record regularly to include all authorized sending sources and prevent SPF misalignment.
- DMARC Policy Enforcement: Start with a 'p=none' policy for DMARC on the root domain to monitor reports and gradually enforce stricter policies as confidence in authentication increases.
- Third-Party Senders: If using third-party email senders, ensure they are correctly configured within your SPF record to avoid authentication issues.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Deliverability Blog explains that for the root domain, set up a DMARC record and monitor reports. Reports received when using 'p=none' will give visibility into how email is being handled. Use this data to adjust configurations, including SPF and DKIM, for better alignment before enforcing stricter policies.
22 Apr 2022 - Email Deliverability Blog
Marketer view
Email marketer from Stack Overflow explains that SPF misalignment occurs when the domain used for SPF authentication (the 'Mail From' address) doesn't match the domain displayed in the 'From:' header. Even if SPF passes, DMARC requires alignment for full compliance. To fix this, ensure the return-path domain matches your sending domain.
24 Aug 2023 - Stack Overflow
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Google Postmaster Tools reports SPF misalignment despite passing DMARC due to domain alignment issues and the need for explicit DMARC records on both root and subdomains. SPF misalignment happens when the 'Mail From' domain doesn't match the 'From:' header domain, even if SPF passes. DMARC checks both subdomain and organizational domain, requiring SPF records to be correctly configured on both. Effective DMARC deployment requires setting up DMARC records for both the root domain and subdomains to protect against domain spoofing, even if email is only sent from a subdomain. Start with a 'p=none' policy on the root domain to monitor feedback before implementing stricter policies.
Key opinions
- SPF Alignment Mismatch: SPF misalignment occurs if the 'Mail From' domain does not align with the 'From:' header domain, even when SPF passes.
- DMARC Coverage: DMARC checks both subdomain and organizational domain; therefore, SPF records must be correctly configured on both.
- Root Domain DMARC Necessity: A DMARC record on the root domain is crucial for protection against domain spoofing, even when sending email only from a subdomain.
- DMARC Policy Implementation: Effective DMARC deployment involves setting up DMARC records for both root domain and subdomains.
- Monitoring Before Enforcement: Implementing a DMARC policy on the root domain should start with 'p=none' to monitor feedback before enforcing stricter policies.
Key considerations
- Domain Alignment: Ensure the 'Mail From' domain aligns with the 'From:' header domain for correct SPF and DMARC operation.
- SPF Configuration: Correctly configure SPF records on both the subdomain and root domain.
- Root Domain Record: Set up a DMARC record on the root domain, even if all email is sent from subdomains.
- Feedback Monitoring: Monitor feedback and reporting when initially implementing DMARC policies, especially when using 'p=none'.
- Policy Adjustment: Adjust the DMARC policy gradually from 'p=none' to stricter settings like 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject' based on monitored feedback.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that SPF misalignment can occur if the 'Mail From' domain doesn't align with the domain in the 'From:' header, even when SPF passes. If you are sending from a subdomain, DMARC will check both subdomain and organizational domain. They advise ensuring SPF records are correctly configured on both the subdomain and the root domain, and that the 'Mail From' domain aligns with your 'From:' header for proper DMARC authentication.
13 Jul 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource details that effective DMARC deployment includes setting up DMARC records for both your root domain and subdomains. Even if you send email only from a subdomain, a DMARC record on the root domain is crucial to protect against domain spoofing. They recommend implementing a DMARC policy on the root domain, starting with 'p=none' to monitor and collect feedback before enforcing stricter policies like 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject'.
27 Dec 2023 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
Google Postmaster Tools showing SPF misalignment despite passing DMARC for a subdomain is often due to domain alignment issues. SPF alignment requires the domain in the 'Mail From' address to match the domain used in the SPF record; a mismatch causes misalignment. DMARC relies on proper SPF and DKIM alignment. To fix DMARC for the root domain, create a TXT record named '_dmarc.yourdomain.com' with the appropriate DMARC policy. Ensuring the SPF record accurately includes all authorized sending sources, such as IP addresses and 'a' records, is also essential.
Key findings
- SPF Alignment: SPF alignment requires the 'Mail From' domain to match the domain used in the SPF record.
- DMARC Dependency: DMARC relies on proper SPF and DKIM alignment for authentication.
- Root Domain TXT Record: Fixing DMARC for the root domain involves creating a TXT record named '_dmarc.yourdomain.com' with the appropriate policy.
- Authorized Sending Sources: The SPF record must include all authorized sending sources, such as IP addresses, 'a' records, and 'mx' records.
Key considerations
- Domain Verification: Ensure the 'Mail From' domain is verified and aligned with the sending domain.
- Accurate SPF Records: Maintain an accurate SPF record that includes all authorized sending sources.
- DMARC Policy Setting: Set the appropriate DMARC policy in the TXT record for the root domain, starting with a monitoring policy ('p=none').
- Cloudflare DNS Settings: When using Cloudflare, add a TXT record named '_dmarc' at the root level with the DMARC syntax.
- Record Syntax: Ensure that the SPF record follows the correct syntax and includes all authorized IP addresses, 'a' records, and 'mx' records.
Technical article
Documentation from Cloudflare outlines that to fix DMARC for your root domain using Cloudflare, you need to add a TXT record named '_dmarc' at the root level of your DNS settings. The content of this record should follow the DMARC syntax, beginning with 'v=DMARC1'. They recommend starting with a policy of 'p=none' to monitor reports before enforcing stricter policies.
25 Jul 2024 - Cloudflare
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft 365 Documentation highlights that for a root domain, creating a TXT record with the name '_dmarc.yourdomain.com' is essential, where 'yourdomain.com' is your actual root domain. The value of this record specifies the DMARC policy. If SPF alignment is failing, they suggest reviewing SPF records for accuracy.
13 Jun 2024 - Microsoft 365 Documentation
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