When you create a DMARC record, you're essentially building a set of instructions for email servers. These instructions are constructed using various components known as DMARC tags. Each tag defines a specific aspect of your DMARC policy, from what to do with failing emails to where reports should be sent. Understanding these tags is crucial for correctly implementing DMARC.
The specific tag that indicates the protocol version is the version tag, represented as v=DMARC1. This is a mandatory component of any DMARC record and serves as the starting point, identifying the DNS TXT record as a DMARC policy.
The DMARC version tag (v)
The version tag, or v, is the very first tag that must appear in a DMARC record. Its purpose is to explicitly state that the record conforms to the DMARC version 1 standard. As DuoCircle notes, this tag is used to represent the DMARC protocol version, which is why it is always set to DMARC1.
Without this tag, a receiving mail server would not recognize the DNS record as a DMARC policy, rendering it ineffective. Think of it as the header that says, "What follows is a DMARC record."
- It is mandatory: Every valid DMARC record must begin with v=DMARC1.
- It specifies the version: The value DMARC1 is currently the only version, so this value is static.
- It must come first: The version tag must be the first tag in the record string. For example, a record must start with v=DMARC1; p=none; and not p=none; v=DMARC1;.
While other tags like p (policy) and rua (reporting URI for aggregate reports) define the actions and reporting of your policy, the v tag is the essential identifier that makes the entire record work.
What DMARC tag specifies forensic reports?
What is the default value for the DMARC 'p' tag?
Which DMARC tag specifies the policy for subdomains?
What is the DMARC version specified by the 'v' tag?
What is the purpose of the 'rf' DMARC tag?
What DMARC tag specifies the reporting format for failure reports?
