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Summary

Implementing DMARC is a critical step for email authentication and security, yet some senders report a perceived drop in email reputation and open rates shortly after adoption. This section summarizes the common understanding and insights regarding this phenomenon.

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What email marketers say

Email marketers often find themselves navigating complex deliverability issues, and the introduction of a new technical protocol like DMARC can sometimes seem to coincide with unexpected performance drops. Marketers generally look for direct causation, but the reality is usually more nuanced, pointing to broader engagement and list health issues.

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shared their observation that since implementing DMARC, they achieved 100% DMARC and SPF authentication success on Google Postmaster, yet simultaneously their reputation dropped from High to Low. They had never experienced a 'Low' reputation before this. This was accompanied by a significant drop in Gmail open rates, plummeting by over 50% overnight following the DMARC implementation. They questioned if DMARC was the cause or a mere coincidence, especially given their continued use of a shared IP ESP.

21 Jul 2020 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggested that if an organization was previously sending on a shared IP ESP, they might have been riding on the better aggregate reputation of that shared IP. After implementing DMARC, the sending reputation may become more directly attributed to the sender's own domain.

21 Jul 2020 - Email Geeks

What the experts say

Deliverability experts consistently highlight that while DMARC is a vital authentication protocol, it does not directly manipulate sender reputation in the way content or engagement might. Instead, it provides the framework for mailbox providers to assign reputation more accurately.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks clarified that DMARC's primary role is to act as an indicator for the receiver, allowing them to attribute reputation to a domain. They stressed that DMARC itself does not directly influence or change that reputation, but rather provides the mechanism for it to be accurately assigned.

21 Jul 2020 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks advised that if open rates have been declining for a period (e.g., since early spring), the underlying problem is likely related to audience engagement or list quality. They suggested that the emails being sent are causing recipients to signal to Gmail that they do not want the mail, leading to reputation issues.

21 Jul 2020 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says

Technical documentation and authoritative sources consistently explain DMARC as an authentication and reporting protocol designed to protect domains from spoofing and phishing. They clarify its role in email ecosystems and how it interacts with sender reputation.

Technical article

Documentation from 101domain Blog states that DMARC implementation can significantly and positively affect sender reputation. This is achieved by building trust with mailbox providers and reducing issues related to spam and fraudulent emails.

15 Jan 2025 - 101domain Blog

Technical article

Documentation from Engage.Guru explains that the DMARC protocol is an effective method for improving the deliverability of email campaigns. Additionally, it helps prevent unauthorized parties from sending emails disguised as originating from your domain.

05 Feb 2020 - Engage.Guru

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