Summary
After resolving a 'DMARC record not found' error caused by a server outage, a multi-faceted approach is required to restore optimal email deliverability. Initially, DNS propagation should be monitored (typically taking 24-48 hours) using tools like `dig` or `nslookup` to confirm the corrected DMARC record is globally visible. Online DMARC validators can check for syntax errors. Along with DMARC, review SPF and DKIM records. Assess the damage to your sender reputation, monitoring metrics such as bounce rates, spam complaints, and inbox placement across various email providers. Use tools like Google Postmaster Tools, Talos Intelligence, GlockApps and Litmus for reputation and inbox placement assessments. Warm up your IP gradually, sending low volumes initially to engaged users to avoid spam filters. Check feedback loops for spam complaints from ISPs, and consider contacting your ESP for assistance. Finally, send test emails to various providers and check email rendering across clients.
Key findings
- DNS Propagation: DNS changes can take 24-48 hours to propagate; monitor the corrected DMARC record using tools.
- DMARC Validation: Use online validators to ensure the DMARC record is correctly formatted and published.
- Reputation Monitoring: Closely monitor bounce rates, spam complaints, and inbox placement using various tools.
- IP Warm-up: Gradually increase email volume to rebuild sending reputation and avoid spam filters.
- Authentication Review: Review SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to ensure all authentication mechanisms are correctly configured.
- Feedback Loops: Check feedback loops (FBLs) to process spam complaints from ISPs.
- Test Emails: Send test emails to various email providers to verify inbox delivery and authentication.
- Email Rendering: Check how your emails render across different email clients and devices.
Key considerations
- Propagation Delays: Allow for DNS propagation delays when verifying the corrected DMARC record.
- Sender Reputation Damage: Server outages can harm sender reputation, necessitating careful monitoring and IP warm-up.
- Email Authentication: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are properly configured for robust email authentication.
- Email Volume Control: Gradually increase email volume to avoid triggering spam filters after resolving the issue.
- Tool Utilization: Use a combination of DNS lookup, reputation monitoring, and email testing tools for comprehensive assessment.
What email marketers say
9 marketer opinions
After resolving a 'DMARC record not found' error caused by a server outage, several steps are crucial for restoring email deliverability. Monitoring email metrics like bounce rates, spam complaints, and inbox placement is essential. Warming up your IP address gradually, by sending emails in small volumes to engaged users, helps rebuild your sending reputation. Checking DNS propagation ensures the corrected DMARC record is visible globally. Sending test emails to various providers verifies inbox delivery and authentication. Engaging with your ESP’s support and using tools like Google Postmaster Tools, Talos Intelligence, GlockApps, and Litmus aids in monitoring reputation, inbox placement, and email rendering across different clients.
Key opinions
- Monitor Email Metrics: Closely track bounce rates, spam complaints, and inbox placement to ensure emails reach recipients as expected.
- Warm Up IP Address: Gradually increase email volume to engaged users to rebuild sending reputation and avoid spam filters.
- Check DNS Propagation: Ensure the corrected DMARC record is visible worldwide using online tools, as some resolvers may cache old records.
- Send Test Emails: Verify inbox delivery and authentication by sending test emails to various email providers (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook).
- Engage ESP Support: Inform your ESP about the outage and seek assistance in monitoring sending reputation and deliverability.
- Monitor Sender Reputation: Use tools like Google Postmaster Tools and Talos Intelligence to identify negative impacts on your sending reputation.
- Use Inbox Placement Tools: Employ tools like GlockApps to assess where emails are landing (inbox, spam, promotions) across different providers.
- Check Email Rendering: Ensure emails display correctly across various email clients and devices using tools like Litmus to avoid display issues.
Key considerations
- Impact on Reputation: Server outages can negatively impact sender reputation, necessitating a gradual warm-up and close monitoring.
- DNS Propagation Delays: DNS changes can take time to propagate globally, so continuous monitoring is essential to confirm the DMARC record's visibility.
- Testing Across Providers: Different email providers may have varying filtering rules, so comprehensive testing is crucial to ensure consistent deliverability.
- ESP Assistance: Leveraging the expertise and resources of your ESP can provide valuable support in restoring optimal deliverability.
Marketer view
Email marketer from EmailOnAcid shares that after DNS propagation, send test emails to various email providers (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) to check if they are being delivered to the inbox and passing authentication checks.
15 Apr 2025 - EmailOnAcid
Marketer view
Email marketer from Litmus recommends checking how your emails render across different email clients and devices to ensure there are no display issues that could affect user engagement and sender reputation.
14 Jul 2022 - Litmus
What the experts say
6 expert opinions
After resolving a DMARC record not found error following a server outage, it's crucial to ensure proper DNS settings and address potential damage to your sender reputation. Experts advise checking the DMARC record's TTL, with 1200 considered a good value to prevent caching of incorrect results. While the issue typically doesn't linger long after being fixed, it's important to assess potential damage by monitoring bounce rates and spam complaints via tools like Google Postmaster Tools. Reviewing SPF and DKIM records alongside the DMARC record ensures all authentication mechanisms are correctly configured. Lastly, gradually increasing email volume post-resolution helps avoid triggering spam filters and further harming sender reputation.
Key opinions
- DMARC TTL: A DMARC record TTL of 1200 is generally effective in preventing caching of incorrect DNS results.
- Issue Duration: DMARC record issues typically do not persist long after the underlying problem is resolved.
- Reputation Assessment: Assess damage to sender reputation by monitoring bounce rates and spam complaints using tools like Google Postmaster Tools.
- Feedback Loops: Check feedback loops (FBLs) to process spam complaints from ISPs and address any deliverability issues.
- Authentication Review: Review SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to ensure all authentication mechanisms are correctly configured.
- Gradual Volume Increase: Gradually increase email volume after resolving the DMARC issue to avoid triggering spam filters.
Key considerations
- DNS Caching: While a proper TTL helps, DNS caching can still temporarily impact email delivery after a DMARC record fix.
- Reputation Impact: Server outages can negatively impact sender reputation, even if the DMARC issue is quickly resolved.
- Comprehensive Authentication: Ensuring all email authentication methods (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are correctly configured is crucial for maintaining deliverability.
- Volume Spikes: Avoid sending large email volumes immediately after resolving the issue to prevent being flagged as spam.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks asks about the DMARC record TTL and notes that 15 minutes is a normal email delivery time. She later adds that a TTL of 1200 is good as Google should not have cashed the bad result and expects no real problems.
7 Jan 2025 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares that the issue isn't something that lingers very long after it's fixed and wouldn't be too worried.
11 Nov 2021 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
After fixing a 'DMARC record not found' error caused by a server outage, it's essential to verify the correct DMARC record is propagated and correctly formatted. DNS changes can take 24-48 hours to propagate, so monitoring the DNS records with tools like `dig` or `nslookup` is crucial. Additionally, using online DMARC record validators can identify syntax errors and ensure correct formatting and publishing. DNS lookup tools such as those provided by MXToolbox, can be used to check DMARC, SPF, and DKIM records, confirming their configuration and visibility to mail servers.
Key findings
- DNS Propagation Time: DNS changes can take 24-48 hours to fully propagate across the internet.
- Monitoring DNS Records: Tools like `dig` or `nslookup` can be used to monitor DNS records and confirm the DMARC record is visible globally.
- DMARC Record Validation: Online DMARC record validators can check for correct formatting and publishing of the DMARC record.
- DNS Lookup Tools: MXToolbox and similar tools can check DMARC, SPF, and DKIM records to ensure they are configured correctly and visible to mail servers.
Key considerations
- Propagation Delays: Account for potential delays in DNS propagation when verifying the DMARC record.
- Syntax Errors: Ensure the DMARC record is free from syntax errors to avoid authentication failures.
- Comprehensive Check: Verify not only the DMARC record but also SPF and DKIM records to ensure complete email authentication.
Technical article
Documentation from MXToolbox explains that you can use their DNS lookup tools to check your DMARC, SPF, and DKIM records. This can help confirm that the records are correctly configured and visible to mail servers.
22 Nov 2022 - MXToolbox
Technical article
Documentation from Google explains that DNS changes can take 24-48 hours to propagate fully across the internet. Monitoring DNS records using tools like `dig` or `nslookup` can help confirm when the correct DMARC record is visible globally.
2 Sep 2023 - Google
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