Suped

What are the pros and cons of DMARC, and is it worth implementing for email authentication and reporting?

Summary

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) is an email authentication protocol designed to protect domains from unauthorized use, such as spoofing and phishing. It builds upon existing protocols, SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), by providing a framework for domain owners to instruct recipient mail servers on how to handle emails that fail authentication. While often touted as a crucial step for email security and deliverability, its implementation comes with a nuanced set of pros and cons that require careful consideration. The true value of DMARC and whether it is worth implementing depends heavily on an organization's specific needs, resources, and risk profile.

Suped DMARC monitor
Free forever, no credit card required
Get started for free
Trusted by teams securing millions of inboxes
Company logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logoCompany logo

What email marketers say

Email marketers often approach DMARC from a practical standpoint, focusing on its utility for campaign performance and brand protection. While many acknowledge its benefits in providing visibility and preventing spoofing, they also highlight the significant effort required and the potential for unintended consequences if not managed correctly. There's a common sentiment that DMARC is not a 'magic bullet' for all email deliverability woes, but rather a tool to be leveraged strategically.

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks notes that in reporting mode (p=none), DMARC data can help clients properly authenticate their email, identify unknown legitimate mail streams, and detect rogue streams and spoofers.

21 Jul 2020 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks believes DMARC is a useful tool, despite its limits, and feels that the reaction against it (due to overselling) has been too extreme.

21 Jul 2020 - Email Geeks

What the experts say

Email deliverability experts often hold more nuanced and critical views on DMARC, particularly regarding its practical implementation and actual benefits versus perceived hype. They frequently highlight the significant costs and complexities involved in moving beyond a simple reporting policy, emphasizing that DMARC is a tool for a specific purpose rather than a universal solution. Experts stress the importance of a deep technical understanding to avoid common pitfalls that can negatively impact email deliverability and authentication.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks warns that implementing DMARC can actually destroy deliverability if companies "believe the hype" without proper understanding of the protocol.

20 Jul 2020 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise suggests that DMARC makes it very simple to accidentally cause deliverability problems if not set up exactly right, due to its complex nature.

19 Sep 2019 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says

Technical documentation and research papers consistently describe DMARC as a critical component of a robust email security strategy. They emphasize its role in detecting and preventing email fraud by providing a standardized way for email receivers to authenticate incoming mail against known sender policies. The documentation highlights the importance of DMARC reporting for visibility into domain usage and the graduated approach to policy enforcement (none, quarantine, reject) to minimize disruption to legitimate email traffic while maximizing protection.

Technical article

Documentation from eSecurity Planet explains that DMARC detects and blocks fraudulent emails before they reach inboxes, thereby strengthening an organization's email security posture.

10 Jun 2023 - eSecurity Planet

Technical article

Documentation from Twilio highlights that DMARC allows ISPs to minimize false positives and provide better authentication reporting, significantly improving transparency in the marketplace.

20 May 2024 - Twilio

8 resources

Start improving your email deliverability today

Get started