When you embark on setting up DMARC, the expectation is that you will start receiving DMARC RUA reports, providing valuable insights into your email ecosystem. These aggregate reports are designed to give domain owners a high-level overview of their email traffic, including authentication results (SPF and DKIM), DMARC alignment, and the sources sending mail on their behalf. They are crucial for monitoring email deliverability and identifying potential spoofing attempts on your domain.
However, one common challenge many encounter is finding readily available example DMARC RUA reports online. While the DMARC specification, RFC 7489, outlines the structure and purpose of these reports, real-world examples are surprisingly scarce. This scarcity can make it difficult for newcomers to visualize the data they will receive and understand how to interpret it effectively. Let's delve into why these reports are hard to come by and how you can access and understand your own.
DMARC RUA reports are XML files generated by receiving mail servers (like Google or Microsoft) and sent to the email address specified in your DMARC record's rua tag. These reports provide a summarized view of all emails purporting to be from your domain over a specific period. They offer a comprehensive look at how major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are handling your mail, which is vital for maintaining a healthy sender reputation and inbox placement.
The information contained within DMARC RUA reports includes the originating IP addresses, the count of emails sent from each IP, and crucially, the results of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication for each email stream. You will see whether emails passed or failed these authentication checks, and if they aligned with your DMARC policy. This granular data helps you pinpoint unauthorized senders and misconfigured legitimate services.
Understanding these reports is paramount for ensuring your emails reach their intended recipients without being flagged as spam or rejected outright. Without them, you are essentially flying blind, unaware of how your domain's emails are being perceived and processed by various mail systems. This is why having a DMARC record configured with an rua tag is not just a best practice, but a necessity for robust email security.
The challenge of finding public examples
The primary reason you won't easily find a public repository of DMARC RUA reports is due to their nature. They contain sensitive operational data about email traffic, including IP addresses, sending volumes, and authentication statuses. Sharing these raw XML files publicly could expose internal infrastructure details and potentially aid malicious actors in crafting more sophisticated phishing or spoofing attacks against a domain.
Another factor is the raw XML format itself. While standardized, it is not human-readable at a glance. Interpreting raw DMARC XML reports requires technical expertise to parse the data, making it less appealing for casual sharing or display on public websites. Most users rely on specialized DMARC reporting services to transform this raw data into actionable, visual dashboards.
This lack of readily available examples has been a point of discussion among email professionals. It highlights a gap in public resources for those trying to understand DMARC more deeply without setting up their own reporting infrastructure first. The best way to get a true example is to generate one yourself by configuring your DMARC record to receive reports.
Decoding the XML structure
A DMARC RUA report is an XML file with a defined schema. It typically begins with a <report_metadata> section, providing details about the report itself, such as the organization that generated it, the report ID, and the date range. Following this, the core data is found within one or more <record> blocks. Each <record> block details a sending source (an IP address) and the email authentication results associated with it.
Within the <record> block, you'll find the <row> tag, which contains the <source_ip> and the <count> of emails observed. The <policy_evaluated> tag indicates how the DMARC policy was applied (e.g., none, quarantine, or reject). The <auth_results> section provides the individual SPF and DKIM authentication results, including the domains and selectors used. Knowing these elements helps you interpret the raw reports effectively.
To find where the rua tag is defined, you would examine your DMARC DNS record itself. It is usually set up as a TXT record for _dmarc.yourdomain.com. The rua tag will specify one or more email addresses where aggregate reports should be sent. This is how receiving mail servers know where to send these valuable XML files.
Where to access real RUA reports
The most effective way to access DMARC RUA reports is to configure your own domain's DMARC record. Once enabled, major mailbox providers will automatically begin sending these XML reports to the email address(es) you specify in the rua tag. For instance, Google and Microsoft are among the large ISPs that deliver DMARC reports.
While you can technically receive these raw XML files directly to an email inbox, their complex structure makes manual analysis impractical for most organizations. This is where DMARC reporting services come into play. These services process the raw XML, aggregate the data, and present it in user-friendly dashboards, making it much easier to identify trends, issues, and suspicious activity. Some providers even offer free DMARC reporting services for smaller volumes.
When setting up your DMARC record to receive reports, remember to use an email address that you actively monitor or that is managed by a DMARC reporting solution. If you're looking for guidance on how to set up DMARC reports, including best practices, resources are available to help you configure your DNS records correctly and ensure you begin receiving these critical reports.
Best practices for receiving reports
Dedicated inbox: Set up a dedicated mailbox for RUA reports, as they can be numerous.
External domain: If using a third-party service, ensure you authorize them to receive reports for your domain.
Start with p=none: Begin with a monitoring-only policy to gather data without impacting deliverability.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Always include an RUA tag in your DMARC record to get critical insights.
Use a DMARC reporting solution to simplify data analysis and visualization.
Regularly review your RUA reports to identify new email sending sources.
Ensure your DMARC record is publicly accessible for mailbox providers.
Be aware of the new DMARC RUA requirements for 2024 from major ISPs.
Common pitfalls
Not having an RUA tag, leading to no visibility into email authentication.
Trying to manually parse raw XML reports, which is time-consuming and complex.
Ignoring reports, missing opportunities to detect spoofing or misconfigurations.
Using an unmonitored email address for RUA reports.
Forgetting to update DMARC records when email senders change, leading to data gaps.
Expert tips
Look for authentication failures from unexpected IPs, as this could indicate spoofing.
Pay attention to the volume of emails from each source to prioritize investigation.
Verify the DMARC alignment status for SPF and DKIM entries.
Use DMARC aggregate reports to guide your transition to enforcement policies.
Combine RUA data with your own sending logs for a complete picture of email flow.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says that finding good, publicly available DMARC RUA report examples is surprisingly difficult, which makes learning challenging for new implementers.
2024-01-08 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says that the lack of accessible sample data and test vectors is a common issue across many email-related technical areas.
2024-01-08 - Email Geeks
Key takeaway
While readily available example DMARC RUA reports are scarce, the path to understanding them lies in configuring your own DMARC record. This direct approach ensures you receive real-world data pertinent to your domain's email activity. The value of these reports cannot be overstated, as they provide the intelligence needed to secure your domain against spoofing and ensure your legitimate emails reach the inbox.
Leveraging a DMARC reporting and analysis service is the most practical way to transform the complex XML data into clear, actionable insights. These tools empower you to quickly identify issues, monitor compliance, and refine your email authentication strategy. By actively engaging with your DMARC RUA reports, you take a significant step towards mastering your email deliverability and protecting your brand's reputation.
Google and 
Microsoft are among the large ISPs that deliver DMARC reports.
