Mail.ru, a prominent Russian email provider, has recently tightened its email authentication requirements, specifically emphasizing DMARC alignment. This move follows a broader industry trend towards stricter email security protocols, aiming to combat spam and phishing effectively. Senders targeting Mail.ru recipients must ensure their SPF and DKIM records are correctly configured and, crucially, that their domains align with the 'From' header domain.
Key findings
DMARC alignment is mandatory: Mail.ru now requires DMARC alignment for incoming emails, and non-compliance can lead to messages being blocked. This aligns with global trends from other major providers.
Specific alignment criteria: To pass Mail.ru's checks, a valid SPF record or DKIM signature is needed. The domain in the 'From' header must match the envelope-from domain (for SPF) or the 'd' tag in the DKIM signature.
Stricter interpretation: While the rule states 'or' for SPF/DKIM, there is some ambiguity if Mail.ru sometimes expects both to be aligned for optimal delivery, reflecting a more stringent approach than some other providers.
Impact on senders: Failure to meet these alignment requirements will result in email blocking, necessitating prompt review and adjustment of existing authentication setups. Learn more about how to set up and troubleshoot email domain authentication.
Key considerations
Review your DMARC reports: Regularly monitor DMARC reports to identify authentication failures, especially those originating from Mail.ru. This will highlight where alignment issues might be occurring.
Ensure domain consistency: Confirm that the domain in your 'From' header (RFC5322.From) matches the domain used for SPF (RFC5321.MailFrom/Return-Path) and DKIM (d= tag) to achieve alignment. This consistency is fundamental for passing authentication checks, as discussed in detail by Mailgun's guide to email authentication.
Implement DMARC: If you haven't already, implement a DMARC policy for your sending domains. Even a p=none policy can provide valuable insights into your email authentication status. Understanding how DMARC, SPF, and DKIM work is essential.
Stay updated: Email deliverability requirements are constantly evolving. Keep an eye on Mail.ru's postmaster guidelines and general industry changes to ensure ongoing compliance.
Email marketers often face immediate consequences when major inbox providers like Mail.ru update their authentication requirements. The primary concern revolves around maintaining deliverability and understanding the nuances of these new rules. Marketers frequently share experiences and seek clarification on whether one authentication method (SPF or DKIM) is sufficient for alignment or if both are preferred to avoid deliverability issues.
Key opinions
Impact on campaigns: Many marketers report that unexpected blockages or reduced inbox placement due to non-compliance with new requirements (like Mail.ru's DMARC alignment) can significantly disrupt their email campaigns and audience reach. This issue can sometimes contribute to emails going to spam.
Confusion over 'or' vs. 'and': There's often confusion stemming from the wording used by providers, such as Mail.ru's statement requiring SPF *or* DKIM, yet seemingly implying both are important for optimal alignment. This ambiguity creates uncertainty for senders.
Proactive monitoring is key: Marketers recognize the importance of proactive monitoring of their email authentication status and deliverability metrics, rather than waiting for blocks or bounces. Using tools like DMARC reports helps future-proof email marketing strategy.
Adaptation to regional differences: Some marketers highlight that different regional providers (like Mail.ru in Russia) may have unique or stricter policies compared to global giants like Gmail or Yahoo, requiring tailored approaches.
Key considerations
Prioritize DMARC implementation: Given Mail.ru's stance, marketers should ensure DMARC is set up with proper alignment for both SPF and DKIM to maximize deliverability. This is now as crucial as it is for Yahoo and Gmail authentication.
Test thoroughly: Before large-scale sends, conduct small tests to Mail.ru addresses to verify that your email authentication is passing and messages are landing in the inbox. This helps identify any hidden blockages or issues.
Clear 'From' header: Always ensure your 'From' header accurately reflects your sending domain, as this is a critical component for Mail.ru's alignment checks. Misleading or unaligned 'From' headers are a common reason for filtering.
Stay informed: Keep an eye on announcements from Mail.ru or email deliverability news sources for any further changes or clarifications regarding their authentication policies. This is vital for maintaining good sender reputation and inbox placement.
Marketer view
An Email Geeks marketer shares a recent experience where a client was blocked by Mail.ru because they lacked DMARC alignment. This highlights the growing importance of DMARC even for regional providers, not just the major global ones. It reinforces the need for all senders to implement proper authentication.
18 Sep 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
A user from Stack Exchange reported receiving DMARC reports from Mail.ru for emails they didn't send. This situation indicates that Mail.ru is actively performing DMARC checks, and failures can occur if the proper authentication (SPF and DKIM) is not in place or aligned. Senders need to monitor these reports carefully.
15 Mar 2024 - Information Security Stack Exchange
What the experts say
Deliverability experts closely monitor changes from major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and regional players like Mail.ru, understanding that such updates can significantly impact global email delivery. Their analysis often focuses on clarifying ambiguities in official statements and predicting the practical implications for senders. Experts emphasize adherence to best practices and the importance of alignment for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to navigate these evolving requirements.
Key opinions
Clear industry trend: Experts agree that Mail.ru's move toward DMARC alignment is part of a broader industry trend where major inbox providers are increasingly enforcing stricter email authentication to combat spam and phishing. This underscores the need for advanced email authentication.
Alignment is paramount: Regardless of whether SPF or DKIM is used, the core requirement is that the 'From' header domain aligns with the authenticated domain. This alignment is critical for DMARC to pass, and its absence is a primary reason for blocks.
Ambiguity in 'or' vs. 'both': While Mail.ru states 'SPF or DKIM', experts note that some providers, including Mail.ru, may implicitly favor or perform better with both SPF and DKIM aligning, especially for high-volume senders, for enhanced trust.
Monitor local policies: Experts advise that senders targeting specific regions (like Russia with Mail.ru) should pay close attention to local postmaster requirements, as they may differ or evolve faster than global standards. This includes understanding what DMARC authentication protocols mean in context.
Key considerations
Proactive DMARC deployment: Implement DMARC with a monitoring policy (p=none) first, then analyze reports to ensure both SPF and DKIM are consistently aligning for all sending sources before moving to a stricter policy like p=quarantine or p=reject. This is a critical step to safely transition your DMARC policy.
Consistent domain usage: Ensure that the domain used in your 'From' header is consistently the same as the domain authenticated by SPF and DKIM. Any mismatch (e.g., sending from a subdomain but authenticating the root domain without proper alignment settings) can cause issues.
Monitor DMARC reports from Mail.ru: Pay special attention to DMARC aggregate reports (RUA) from Mail.ru to identify any authentication failures or discrepancies. These reports provide insights into how your emails are being perceived by their systems. Understanding and troubleshooting DMARC reports from Google and Yahoo can inform your approach to Mail.ru.
SPF and DKIM best practices: Ensure your SPF records are correctly set up, avoiding common pitfalls like the 10-lookup limit, and that your DKIM signatures are valid and consistently applied by all sending platforms. Both are fundamental for robust email security.
Expert view
An expert from Email Geeks provided direct translation from Mail.ru's requirements, stating that "To successfully pass the check, a valid SPF record or DKIM signature is required." This highlights that at least one of these authentication methods must pass their validation for the email to be considered legitimate. This is the foundational requirement.
18 Sep 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view
An expert from SpamResource observes that many ISPs are moving towards mandatory DMARC enforcement, similar to Mail.ru's recent updates. They emphasize that senders can no longer ignore DMARC, as it's becoming a universal prerequisite for reliable inbox placement, and not just for compliance but for actual deliverability. This reflects a broader industry shift.
05 Sep 2024 - SpamResource
What the documentation says
Mail.ru's official postmaster documentation outlines their requirements for bulk senders and technical standards, including specific points on email authentication. These documents are the definitive source for understanding their expected compliance levels for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Adhering to these documented rules is essential for maintaining a positive sender reputation and ensuring message delivery to Mail.ru inboxes.
Key findings
Authentication requirement: Mail.ru's technical rules state that a valid SPF record or DKIM signature is required for successful message verification.
Domain alignment for DMARC: The documentation specifies that the domain in the 'From' header (RFC5322.From) must match the 'envelope-from' domain for SPF alignment or the 'd=' tag domain in the DKIM signature for DKIM alignment. This is the core of their DMARC validation. This detail is crucial for DMARC tags.
Importance of proper DNS setup: The rules implicitly underscore the necessity of correctly publishing SPF and DKIM records in DNS for them to be discoverable and verifiable by Mail.ru's systems. This underpins the validity of the authentication methods.
Bulk sender guidelines: Mail.ru's ESP rules provide additional recommendations for bulk senders, emphasizing the importance of a clear sending reputation and compliance with anti-spam legislation, alongside authentication requirements.
Key considerations
Adhere to technical guidelines: Mail.ru's technical rules are the authoritative source for their authentication expectations. Senders should consult these documents directly to ensure full compliance with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alignment.
Implement DMARC for consistency: While SPF or DKIM may suffice for authentication, implementing DMARC provides a framework for consistent alignment and reporting, which is increasingly expected by major providers. This is a best practice for setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
Monitor Mail.ru postmaster pages: Regularly check Mail.ru's ESP and technical rules for any updates or changes. Email authentication requirements are dynamic, and staying informed is crucial for uninterrupted email delivery.
Ensure both SPF and DKIM are set: Even if Mail.ru states 'or', setting up both SPF and DKIM with proper alignment provides a robust authentication foundation, offering redundancy and increasing the likelihood of successful deliverability across all providers. This is a common industry recommendation.
Technical article
Mail.ru's Postmaster Technical Rules state that "For successful check a valid SPF record or DKIM signature is required." This indicates that at least one of these email authentication mechanisms must be correctly configured and verifiable to pass Mail.ru's initial checks. This is the foundational requirement for email authentication.
18 Sep 2024 - Mail.ru Postmaster
Technical article
The Mail.ru Postmaster rules specify that for authentication to be successful, "the domains from From, envelope-from and the 'd' tag in the DKIM signature must match." This directly addresses DMARC alignment, requiring the visible 'From' domain to align with the domain used in either SPF or DKIM authentication. This is a critical detail for senders.