Where can I find a recording of the Socketlabs/Valimail DMARC webinar?
Matthew Whittaker
Co-founder & CTO, Suped
Published 19 Apr 2025
Updated 17 Aug 2025
5 min read
Many email professionals are looking for authoritative resources to navigate the evolving landscape of email authentication, especially with the recent requirements from major mailbox providers. A webinar by SocketLabs and Valimail on DMARC has been a significant point of interest for many seeking practical insights.
This collaboration between two prominent entities in the email industry provided valuable information on the current state and future of DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance). If you missed the live session or wish to revisit its content, the good news is that the recording is available to help you understand and implement DMARC effectively.
The official recording of the SocketLabs and Valimail DMARC webinar, titled "Everything You Really Need to Know About DMARC," is available on the SocketLabs blog. This resource is a comprehensive recap that includes the full webinar video, offering a deep dive into DMARC's functionalities and its critical role in email deliverability.
The webinar features insights from Brian Godiksen, Director of Customer Solutions at SocketLabs, and Seth Blank from Valimail, a leading expert in DMARC solutions. They discuss the current landscape of email authentication and best practices for DMARC implementation, making it an invaluable tool for anyone looking to improve their email security posture.
Initially, there was some confusion regarding the live broadcast, with some expecting it on LinkedIn. However, technical difficulties shifted the live event to Zoom, ensuring an interactive Q&A session. Thankfully, the full recording resolves any missed opportunities, providing all the content discussed.
Webinar highlights
The webinar provides an in-depth look at DMARC, covering its functionality, benefits, and implementation strategies. It's particularly relevant now due to the updated sender requirements from Google and Yahoo, which mandate stronger email authentication protocols. Accessing this webinar's content will significantly help you navigate these changes and ensure your emails reach the inbox.
The importance of DMARC today
The recent announcements by Google and Yahoo, mandating DMARC for bulk senders, have elevated its importance. These changes aim to enhance email security and reduce spam, making DMARC not just a best practice, but a necessity for optimal email deliverability in 2024 and beyond. Failure to comply can lead to increased email rejections and messages landing in spam folders.
DMARC builds upon SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) to verify that an email sender is authorized by the domain owner. It provides mailbox providers with instructions on how to handle emails that fail authentication checks, such as rejecting them or quarantining them. For more details on these protocols, consider resources on understanding DMARC.
Beyond authentication, DMARC offers reporting capabilities, giving domain owners visibility into who is sending email on their behalf, whether authorized or not. This insight is crucial for identifying and blocking (or blacklisting) malicious senders or addressing misconfigurations that might impact your email deliverability.
Before DMARC adoption
Increased Risk: Higher susceptibility to phishing, spoofing, and email fraud, negatively impacting brand reputation.
Poor Deliverability: Emails might frequently land in spam folders or be rejected by mailbox providers.
Lack of Visibility: No insights into email authentication failures or unauthorized use of your domain.
After DMARC adoption
Enhanced Security: Strong protection against domain spoofing and phishing attacks.
Improved Inbox Placement: Higher trust from mailbox providers leads to better email deliverability.
Actionable Reports: Granular data on authentication outcomes helps troubleshoot issues.
Key takeaways for DMARC implementation
A key takeaway from the webinar is the recommendation to start DMARC implementation with a "monitor" policy (p=none). This allows you to gather DMARC reports and understand your email ecosystem without affecting deliverability. It's a crucial first step for assessing sending sources and identifying any legitimate emails that might fail authentication.
Once you have a clear picture of your email flows, you can gradually transition to more restrictive policies like quarantine (p=quarantine) or reject (p=reject). This phased approach minimizes the risk of inadvertently blocking legitimate emails. For a detailed guide on setting up your DMARC records and reporting, refer to resources on DMARC records.
Understanding DMARC tags is essential for proper configuration. The webinar emphasizes careful review of DMARC aggregate (RUA) and forensic (RUF) reports. These reports provide the data needed to make informed decisions about tightening your DMARC policy. You can learn more about starting with a monitor policy in our guide on simple DMARC examples.
Tag
Description
Example
v
Version of DMARC protocol
v=DMARC1
p
Policy for your domain
p=none, p=quarantine, p=reject
rua
Aggregate report URI
rua=mailto:reports@example.com
pct
Percentage of messages to apply policy to
pct=100
Ongoing DMARC management
Implementing DMARC is not a one-time setup, but rather an ongoing process of monitoring and adjustment. Regularly reviewing your DMARC reports is crucial to ensure all legitimate sending sources are properly authenticated and that unauthorized senders are effectively blocked (or blocklisted). This proactive approach helps maintain a healthy sender reputation and avoid common pitfalls like legitimate emails being flagged as spam.
Tools for DMARC monitoring can automate the collection and analysis of these reports, simplifying the management process. Staying informed about deliverability best practices and continually optimizing your email setup will yield significant benefits in the long run.
Best practices for DMARC management
Start with "p=none": Monitor reports without impacting email delivery.
Analyze Reports Regularly: Use aggregate and forensic data to identify all legitimate sending sources.
Gradually Enforce Policy: Move from p=none to p=quarantine, then to p=reject as confidence grows.
Ensure Alignment: Verify that your SPF and DKIM authentication aligns with your DMARC policy.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Actively use DMARC reports to identify and authorize all legitimate sending sources.
Always start with a DMARC policy of p=none before moving to stricter policies.
Educate your team on DMARC compliance to avoid unauthorized sending practices.
Common pitfalls
Not monitoring DMARC reports, leading to blind spots in email authentication.
Setting a DMARC policy to p=reject too quickly without thorough testing.
Forgetting to update DMARC records when changing email service providers.
Expert tips
Implement DMARC for all your sending domains, even those not actively used for email.
Regularly review your DMARC aggregate reports for ongoing domain security and performance.
Ensure that all third-party senders are correctly configured for SPF and DKIM alignment.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says the SocketLabs/Valimail DMARC webinar is a valuable resource, especially with the recent Google and Yahoo sender requirements.
2024-07-31 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says they missed the live webinar but finding the recording was extremely helpful for understanding DMARC implementation steps.
2024-07-31 - Email Geeks
A path to improved deliverability
The SocketLabs and Valimail DMARC webinar recording offers a vital resource for navigating the complexities of email authentication in today's environment. As mailbox providers continue to tighten their security protocols, a robust DMARC implementation is no longer optional but a cornerstone of reliable email communication.
By leveraging insights from this webinar and other educational resources, you can strengthen your email security, protect your brand from spoofing and phishing attempts, and significantly improve your email deliverability rates. Proactive management of your DMARC policy is key to long-term success in the inbox.
Remember, a strong email authentication foundation, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, is essential to ensure your legitimate emails reach their intended recipients without being flagged as spam or blocked (or blacklisted). Continuous learning and adaptation are vital to staying ahead in email deliverability.