Smart DMARC: The Key to Better Email Deliverability & Protection
Email security is a total necessity. Why? Because every day, businesses lose money and credibility due to phishing, spoofing and also email fraud. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) is the ultimate line of defense, so that only authorized senders can use your domain.
But how does it work, and why should you care? Here is what you need to know about DMARC’s role, its advantages, and even how to implement it properly to protect your business and improve your email deliverability!
What is the DMARC protocol?
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) is an email authentication standard designed to prevent email spoofing and phishing attacks. It’s as simple as that.
In simple terms, it builds on two key authentication methods—SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)—to guarantee that the emails sent from your domain are 100 % legitimate, and nothing less.
How does DMARC work?
When an email is received, the email provider directly checks whether the email passes both SPF and DKIM authentication. DMARC then tells the provider what to do if authentication fails:
- Reject: Block the email entirely.
- Quarantine: Mark it as suspicious and send it to the spam folder.
- None: Allow it through but log the failure for monitoring.
You need to know that with DMARC reports, you also gain precious insight into who’s sending emails on your behalf. Why is it so important? Simply because this will really help you to detect abuse, unauthorized senders and even potential security risks. All of that.
Read also : What are SPF, DKIM, DMARC and how to implement them ?
Advantages of DMARC
Implementing DMARC isn’t just about checking a compliance box, it’s more about protecting your brand, increasing deliverability, and stopping email fraud dead in its tracks. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
Stops email spoofing and phishing before it starts
Cybercriminals love impersonating legitimate businesses to scam customers and employees. Without DMARC, anyone can send emails that look like they’re from your domain—leading to security breaches, lost trust, and financial damage. With DMARC in place, fraudulent emails never even reach the inbox.
Boosts email deliverability and gets you in the inbox
If email providers suspect your domain is being used for spam, your emails will land in the spam folder—even if they’re legitimate. DMARC tells Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo that your emails are authenticated, improving your sender reputation and ensuring more emails reach the inbox instead of getting buried in spam.
Gives you complete visibility on email activity
Who’s really sending emails from your domain? Without DMARC, you’re in the dark. With it, you get detailed DMARC reports showing who’s using your domain, which emails fail authentication, and where potential threats are coming from. It’s like having a security camera for your email system—you see everything.
Protects your brand reputation and credibility
Nothing tanks your credibility faster than scammers using your domain to send fake invoices or phishing emails. If customers get scammed because someone pretended to be you, you lose their trust—possibly forever. DMARC ensures that only authorized emails represent your brand, keeping your reputation intact.
Prevents legal and compliance headaches
Security regulations in industries like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce require strong email authentication. If you’re in these spaces, ignoring DMARC could mean failing compliance audits and risking massive fines. Even outside regulated industries, protecting personal data is non-negotiable, and DMARC helps keep you compliant.
Reduces your vulnerability to business email compromise (BEC) attacks
DMARC doesn’t just protect your customers—it shields your employees, partners, and internal communications. Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams trick employees into wiring money or sharing sensitive data. With DMARC, only verified emails make it through, stopping these scams before they happen.
Gives you control over your domain’s email security
Without DMARC, you have no control over who uses your domain. Scammers, competitors, and unauthorized senders can exploit it without consequences. DMARC puts you back in the driver’s seat, allowing you to monitor, manage, and control every email that goes out under your domain.
It’s free to implement—but costly to ignore
Setting up DMARC is completely free! All it takes is a simple DNS record and some monitoring. But be careful, as ignoring it could cost you thousands or even millions in lost revenue, brand damage, and security breaches. So yes, it’s really a no-brainer for any business serious about email security!
How do I activate DMARC?
Setting up DMARC is a MUST if you are serious about protecting your email domain (and also your domain reputation) from phishing, spoofing, and also deliverability issues. The best part? It’s easier than you think. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have DMARC up and running in no time.
Step 1: Check your SPF and DKIM records
Before you can implement DMARC, you must have SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) set up. These authentication protocols tell email providers whether an email claiming to be from your domain is actually legitimate.
- SPF defines which mail servers are allowed to send emails on behalf of your domain. Example SPF record: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
- DKIM adds a cryptographic signature to outgoing emails, proving they weren’t tampered with. Example DKIM record: v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=MIGfMA0GCSqG...
So if you don’t have SPF and DKIM configured, do this first—DMARC won’t work properly without them.
Step 2: Generate a DMARC record
A DMARC record is a simple TXT record that you’ll add to your domain’s DNS settings. It defines how email providers should handle messages that fail authentication.
A basic DMARC record might look like this:
v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com
Let’s break it down:
- p=none – This tells providers to only monitor email traffic (no blocking yet).
- rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com – This is where you’ll receive DMARC reports showing email authentication results.
As you understand it, you need to start with p=none to be able to collect data before enforcing stricter policies.
Step 3: Publish the DMARC record in your DNS
Now, it’s time to add your DMARC record to your DNS settings. Here’s how to do it:
- Log in to your domain registrar or DNS provider (GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Namecheap, etc.).
- Find the DNS settings section.
- Add a new TXT record with these details:
- Host/Name: _dmarc
- Type: TXT
- Value: Your DMARC record (from Step 2)
- Save and apply the changes.
Our pro tip: Don’t hesitate to use an online DMARC record checker to verify that your setup is correct!
Step 4: Monitor your DMARC reports
DMARC doesn’t just stop bad emails—it shows you exactly who is using your domain to send emails.
You’ll receive XML-based reports at your specified email (from Step 2), showing:
- Legitimate senders using your domain,
- Unauthorized sources trying to spoof your brand,
- And even pass/fail rates for SPF and DKIM
Use a DMARC monitoring tool to convert these reports into a human-readable format, unless you love parsing XML files manually (which, let’s be real, you don’t).
Step 5: Gradually enforce DMARC policies
Once you’ve collected enough data, it’s time to lock things down and prevent fraudulent emails from reaching inboxes.
- Start with a monitoring mode (p=none) to collect data,
- Move to p=quarantine to send failed emails to spam,
- Finally, use p=reject to block fraudulent emails completely.
🔒 Example DMARC record with enforcement:
v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com
But please, only switch to reject when you’re confident that legitimate emails won’t be blocked!
Step 6: Maintain and update your DMARC settings
DMARC isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it thing. Regularly review your reports, check for false positives, and update your policies as your email infrastructure evolves.
Here are a few maintenance tips:
- Revisit your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings every few months,
- Make adjustments based on report findings,
- Ensure new email providers are properly authenticated.
Our pro tip: If you change email services (e.g., switch from G Suite to Office 365), update your SPF/DKIM records before emails start bouncing.
DMARC best practices and tools
Setting up DMARC is one thing, but really maintaining it is another. Here are essential best practices to keep your email authentication rock solid:
- Start with monitoring, then enforce stricter policies: Jumping straight to p=reject can block legitimate emails. Analyze reports first, then tighten security.
- Regularly review your DMARC reports: Unauthorized senders? Misconfigured sources? If you don’t monitor your reports, you won’t catch issues before they escalate.
- Don’t hesitate to use DMARC tools for automation: Managing DMARC manually is painful. Use tools like Valimail, dmarcian, or Postmark to automate monitoring, enforcement, and issue resolution.
- Just check if your email providers support DMARC, really: Some outdated email systems don’t fully support DMARC policies. Verify that your ESP (Email Service Provider) is compliant.
Why use DMARC for email?
If you care about email security and making sure your emails actually reach the inbox, DMARC isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must. Here’s why every business needs to lock it down:
- Stops phishing dead in its tracks – Hackers love to impersonate businesses. DMARC ensures scammers can’t use your domain to trick customers or employees.
- Protects your brand from impersonation – Without DMARC, anyone can send emails that look like they’re from you. Don’t let cybercriminals hijack your reputation.
- Boosts deliverability & trust – Email providers prioritize authenticated senders. DMARC tells them your emails are legit, increasing inbox placement.
- Gives you total visibility – Know exactly who’s sending emails from your domain (legit or not) with detailed DMARC reports. No more guessing.
Skipping DMARC is like leaving your front door wide open for email fraud. Your competitors are securing their domains—why wouldn’t you?
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Use cases
DMARC isn’t just for tech giants or financial institutions—it’s a must-have for any business that sends emails. Whether you’re running an e-commerce store, a SaaS platform, a financial service, or even a non-profit, failing to protect your email domain is like leaving your front door wide open to hackers.
Here’s how different industries use DMARC to stay secure, compliant, and successful:
E-commerce & SaaS: Stopping phishing scams before they wreck customer trust
If you run an e-commerce store or a SaaS business, your brand is everything. Why? Because scammers really love to impersonate trusted brands to steal customer login details, payment information, and personal data.
🚨 The risk?
Phishing emails that look like they came from your business can trick customers into giving away login credentials or credit card details. One high-profile scam could tank your reputation and destroy customer trust overnight.
✅ Example:
A SaaS company kept getting support tickets from confused users saying they had been "locked out" of their accounts due to fake password reset emails. After enforcing DMARC, phishing attempts dropped by 94%, preventing data theft and restoring trust in their platform.
Finance & Healthcare: Compliance and data security first
Banks, fintech startups, and healthcare providers handle the most sensitive data out there—making them prime targets for cybercriminals.
🚨 The risk?
Without DMARC, attackers can spoof emails from your domain, impersonate your institution, and trick clients into sharing private financial or medical data. A single breach could lead to massive fines and lawsuits.
✅ Example:
A healthcare provider implementing DMARC discovered fraudulent emails sent from its domain, posing as doctors requesting patient records. DMARC helped them shut it down, avoiding a potential HIPAA violation and legal nightmare.
Marketing & Sales Teams: Boosting deliverability and inbox placement
You can craft the best cold email sequence in the world, but if it lands in spam, it’s game over.
🚨 The risk?
Without DMARC, your email domain lacks credibility. Email providers like Gmail and Outlook see unauthenticated domains as risky, leading to low open rates and lost deals.
✅ Example:
A B2B marketing team struggling with cold email performance saw their response rates triple after implementing DMARC and fixing their authentication setup. Better inbox placement = more leads, more conversions, and more revenue.
Government & NGOs: Stopping impersonation and misinformation
Public institutions and NGOs often communicate critical information, making them prime targets for fraudsters and misinformation campaigns.
🚨 The risk?
Without DMARC, cybercriminals can send fake emails from official domains, spreading false information, scamming citizens or donors, and damaging public trust.
✅ Example:
A government agency discovered that scammers were sending fake tax refund emails from what appeared to be their official domain. DMARC blocked 99% of these attacks, restoring confidence in official communications.
The bottom line? If you use email, you need DMARC. It’s as simple as that.
No matter your industry, if your business relies on email for marketing, customer service, or transactions, DMARC is non-negotiable. It keeps your emails secure, your reputation intact, and your messages where they belong: in the inbox, not the spam folder.
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Conclusion: DMARC is your email security powerhouse
If you send emails, you need DMARC—it’s that simple. Without it, you’re an easy target for fraud, and your email deliverability suffers. With DMARC, your emails are protected, authenticated, and trusted.
But setting it up is just the first step. Monitoring and maintaining a strong sender reputation is key. This is where MailReach’s email warm-up tool helps businesses keep their emails out of spam and in the inbox.
Want to improve your deliverability? Try MailReach’s email spam test to see exactly where your emails land—and fix any issues before they hurt your business.
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