What Is a DMARC Record and How to Set It Up?

If you want to improve email deliverability, protect your domain from spoofing, and build long-term sender trust, setting up a DMARC record is essential.

This guide explains what DMARC is, why it matters, and how to set it up correctly for your domain.

What Is a DMARC Record?

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) is a DNS record that tells receiving mail servers how to handle emails sent from your domain when authentication fails.

DMARC works on top of SPF and DKIM and helps mailbox providers decide whether to:

• Deliver the email

• Send it to spam

• Quarantine it

• Reject it completely

In simple terms, DMARC protects your domain from being misused and improves your email reputation.

Why Is DMARC Important?

Setting up DMARC helps you:

• Prevent domain spoofing & phishing
  Stops attackers from sending emails pretending to be you.

• Improve inbox placement
  Authenticated emails are more likely to land in the inbox.

• Gain visibility into email activity
  Receive reports showing who is sending emails on your behalf.

• Meet modern email requirements
  Major providers like Google and Microsoft strongly recommend DMARC.

How DMARC Works (At a Glance)

1. Authentication Check
   DMARC relies on SPF and DKIM to verify your emails.

2. Policy Enforcement
   You define what should happen if an email fails authentication:

   • none (monitor only)

   • quarantine

   • reject

3. Reporting
   Mail servers send reports showing authentication results and potential abuse.

Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up DMARC

Step 1: Make Sure SPF and DKIM Are Set Up

Before adding DMARC, your domain must have:

• A valid SPF record

• A valid DKIM record

If these aren’t set, DMARC will not work correctly.

Step 2: Open Your DNS Manager

Log in to your domain registrar or DNS hosting provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Namecheap).

Look for:

• DNS Management

• Manage DNS

• Advanced DNS

Step 3: Create a DMARC TXT Record

Add a new TXT record with the following details:

Host / Name

_dmarc

Value (Example – Monitoring Mode)

v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com; pct=100

What Each DMARC Tag Means

• v=DMARC1 → DMARC version

• p=none → Policy (monitor only)

• rua → Email for aggregate reports

• ruf → Email for forensic reports

• pct=100 → Percentage of emails covered

📌 Tip: Use a real inbox you control for rua and ruf.

Step 4: Save the Record

Save your changes.
DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 24–48 hours.

Step 5: Monitor DMARC Reports

Once live, you’ll start receiving DMARC reports showing:

• Which emails passed or failed authentication

• Unauthorized senders

• Configuration issues

Over time, you can move to stricter policies.

Recommended DMARC Policy Progression

1. Start with monitoring

p=none

2. Move to quarantine

p=quarantine

3. Fully protect with reject

p=reject

Only move to stricter policies once you confirm all legitimate emails are passing SPF/DKIM.

Common DMARC Record Example

Tips for an Effective DMARC Setup

• Start with p=none to avoid email disruptions

• Use a dedicated inbox for DMARC reports

• Review reports regularly before tightening policy

• Ensure all sending tools are included in SPF & DKIM

Why DMARC Matters for MailOptimal Users

When you use MailOptimal for warmup and outreach:

• DMARC strengthens inbox placement

• Reduces spam classification

• Works alongside warmup to build domain trust

• Helps identify authentication issues early

A properly configured DMARC record is a critical foundation for strong email deliverability.