Summary
Setting up a DMARC record on Wix involves specific DNS configurations, particularly ensuring the correct hostname. After initial setup, the choice of DMARC policy (p=none, p=quarantine, or p=reject) depends on your domain's authentication maturity and monitoring capabilities. While p=none provides initial visibility without impact, evolving industry standards increasingly require stronger policies for optimal deliverability.
Key findings
- Hostname requirement: For a DMARC record to be recognized, it must be added as a TXT record with the hostname (or host field) set to _dmarc, not left empty or as @ or the root domain name.
- Policy enforcement: A p=none DMARC policy allows for monitoring email authentication failures without affecting email delivery, acting as a valuable first step.
- Future requirements: Mailbox providers are increasingly mandating stricter DMARC policies (like p=quarantine or p=reject) as a standard for email authentication.
- Reporting is key: For a p=none policy to be truly beneficial, it must be paired with DMARC reporting (through rua and ruf tags) to gain insights into email authentication results.
Key considerations
- Wix DNS interface: Understand how to navigate Wix's domain and DNS settings to accurately add TXT records. Resources like Wix's DNS management guides can be helpful for general DNS record setup.
- Initial policy choice: Start with p=none to monitor DMARC compliance without impacting legitimate email delivery, allowing for data collection before moving to stricter policies. Learn more about when to use different DMARC policies.
- DMARC reporting setup: Configure DMARC aggregate and forensic reports (using rua and ruf tags) to receive data on your email authentication performance. This is critical for moving beyond p=none. Our guide on setting up DMARC reports offers practical advice.
- Gradual policy transition: Transition your DMARC policy from p=none to p=quarantine and then p=reject only after verifying that all legitimate emails pass DMARC authentication.
What email marketers say
Email marketers often encounter initial difficulties when setting up DMARC records on platforms like Wix, particularly regarding the correct host name. Once the record is successfully published with a `p=none` policy, the common query shifts to the necessity and timing of escalating to stricter policies such as `quarantine` or `reject`. Marketers acknowledge the importance of DMARC for email security and deliverability but may require guidance on the practical steps for policy changes and the role of reporting tools.
Key opinions
- Initial setup challenges: Many marketers, especially those new to DMARC, struggle with the specific requirements for adding the TXT record in DNS settings, often missing the crucial _dmarc hostname.
- Confusion over p=none: There's a common misconception that simply publishing a p=none policy fulfills DMARC requirements, overlooking the need for reporting.
- Policy progression uncertainty: Marketers often ask whether and when they should transition from p=none to quarantine or reject policies.
- Dependence on platform interfaces: The specific DNS management interface of platforms like Wix can complicate the process if the fields are not clearly labeled for DMARC setup.
Key considerations
- Accurate record placement: Always ensure the DMARC TXT record is placed at the _dmarc subdomain. Consult guides on configuring DMARC in Wix for precise instructions.
- Verification tools: Utilize online DMARC lookup tools (such as those mentioned in general DMARC creation guides) to confirm the record's correct publication and identify any deformation errors.
- Understanding policy impacts: Familiarize yourself with the implications of each DMARC policy. Starting with p=none is recommended for initial observation. Learn about simple DMARC examples for beginners.
- The path to enforcement: Progressing to p=quarantine or p=reject requires comprehensive monitoring and alignment of all legitimate sending sources. This process is crucial for long-term email security and deliverability. Our guide on proper DMARC setup and reporting explains this further.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks states they recently entered a DMARC record into their Wix site's DNS, but after a week, it's not being found by MXToolbox. They are seeking immediate advice on what might be incorrect in their setup.
Marketer view
An email marketer from DmarcDkim.com suggests that to set up a Wix DMARC record, one should use a DMARC check tool to generate the record. Then, copy the generated TXT DMARC record and add it to the DNS settings within Wix.
What the experts say
Experts emphasize that successful DMARC implementation, especially on platforms like Wix, hinges on correctly setting the `_dmarc` hostname for the TXT record. They highlight that a `p=none` policy, while a starting point, is ineffective without DMARC reporting. Furthermore, experts predict that mailbox providers will increasingly enforce stricter DMARC policies in the future, making the transition to `quarantine` or `reject` policies essential after thorough monitoring and authentication alignment.
Key opinions
- Hostname critical: The DMARC record will not be recognized unless _dmarc is correctly specified as the hostname in the DNS entry.
- Reporting essential for p=none: A p=none policy without reporting is virtually useless for monitoring authentication failures and improving deliverability.
- Mandatory policy shifts: Mailbox providers are increasingly pushing for mandatory DMARC enforcement, signaling that domains will eventually need to move to stricter policies.
- Pre-transition authentication: Before moving to quarantine or reject, all legitimate email sources must be properly authenticated and aligned.
Key considerations
- DNS configuration precision: Ensure the DMARC TXT record is correctly configured within Wix's DNS settings, specifically placing it at _dmarc.yourdomain.com for proper detection.
- Importance of DMARC reports: Always include rua and ruf tags in your DMARC record, even with p=none, to gather essential data for policy refinement. Our article on DMARC tags can assist with this.
- Proactive policy evolution: Plan to eventually move from p=none to stronger DMARC policies like quarantine or reject to meet evolving email authentication standards and enhance domain protection. Consult our guide on best practices for setting DMARC policy.
- Leverage reporting tools: Use DMARC reporting tools to analyze your email flow, identify legitimate sending sources, and address any authentication issues before escalating your policy. This ensures a smooth transition and prevents legitimate emails from being blocked. A good resource for DMARC reporting tools is dmarcvendors.com.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks (Faisal) advises confirming that the DMARC record was added with `_dmarc` as the host. If this specific hostname is not used, the DMARC record will not be found or properly recognized by DNS queries.
Expert view
Expert from SpamResource highlights that for DMARC records, the name field should typically be `_dmarc.yourdomain.com`. If you're using a DNS provider that automatically appends your domain, you might only need to enter `_dmarc` in the host field. Misconfiguration here is a frequent error.
What the documentation says
Official documentation for DMARC and DNS configuration consistently highlights the necessity of accurate record placement and the phased approach to policy enforcement. It emphasizes that DMARC records are a specific type of TXT record requiring the `_dmarc` subdomain. Furthermore, documentation underscores that DMARC policies are tools for instructing receiving servers on handling unauthenticated mail, with `p=none` being a monitoring mode and `p=quarantine` or `p=reject` providing increasing levels of enforcement.
Key findings
- Record format: A DMARC record is a TXT record that includes specific tags for version, policy, and reporting, and must be placed at the _dmarc subdomain.
- Policy definitions: The `p` tag defines the policy: p=none for monitoring, p=quarantine for moving non-compliant emails to spam, and p=reject for outright rejection.
- DNS propagation: After adding or modifying DNS records, it takes time for changes to propagate across the internet, meaning updates are not instant.
- Domain authentication: DMARC relies on the successful implementation of SPF and DKIM for email authentication. These mechanisms must be correctly aligned with DMARC for its policies to be effective.
Key considerations
- Exact hostname syntax: When adding a DMARC record to Wix or any DNS provider, the hostname must be _dmarc. If your provider automatically appends your domain, simply entering _dmarc in the host field is usually sufficient. Consult official Wix DMARC setup instructions.
- Policy change readiness: Transitioning to `p=quarantine` or `p=reject` should only occur after a period of monitoring with `p=none` and confirming that all legitimate mail passes SPF and DKIM authentication and DMARC alignment. This prevents unintended delivery issues for your emails. Our resource on safely transitioning DMARC policies offers guidance.
- Monitoring and reporting: Implementing DMARC with reporting tags (rua and ruf) is crucial for gathering data on your domain's email authentication performance. This data informs decisions on when to tighten your DMARC policy. You can find out more in our guide on best practices for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup.
Technical article
WP Mail SMTP's documentation explains that a DMARC record is essentially a TXT record that provides instructions for how a receiving email server should handle emails failing authentication checks. This record is vital for preventing phishing and spoofing attacks.
Technical article
Ezekia Freshdesk's troubleshooting steps indicate that before adding DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records, users must identify where their domain is registered to access its DNS settings. This foundational step is often overlooked but crucial for successful configuration.
Related resources
13 resources
Related pages
How does DMARC work, why implement it with SPF and DKIM, and what tools are available for DMARC record creation?
When should you use DMARC p=none, p=quarantine, or p=reject policies?
What are the best practices for DMARC implementation, including tag definition and tool recommendations?
What are the best practices for setting DMARC policy, particularly p=reject?
How important is DMARC for email and spam protection, and when should it be enabled?
List of DMARC tags and their meanings
DMARC record and policy examples
How to fix 'DMARC policy not enabled' warnings
Simple DMARC examples: how to start with a p=none policy
A simple guide to DMARC, SPF, and DKIM
