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Summary

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.

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What email marketers say

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.

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.

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.

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.

18 Sep 2024 - Mail.ru Postmaster

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