Are Your Emails Landing in Spam? You Might Need a DMARC Record

Have you ever sent an important email, only to find out it never arrived or, worse, landed directly in the recipient's spam folder? Or, consider a more alarming scenario: someone spoofs your domain (e.g., [email protected]) to send phishing emails to your users.

These problems often point to a single, frequently overlooked technical detail: DMARC.

This isn't just another acronym; it's the first line of defense for your brand's reputation and your users' trust.

What is DMARC and Why is It So Important?

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) is an email authentication protocol. Think of it as a "digital ID system" for your domain's emails.

It works in tandem with two other protocols (SPF and DKIM) to tell the world's mail servers (like Gmail and Outlook):

1. "Who is authorized to send email on my behalf?" (The SPF record)
2. "Was this email's content signed by me and not tampered with?" (The DKIM record)
3. "If the checks above fail, what should you do with this suspicious email?" (The DMARC record)

The dangers of not having a DMARC record are real and severe:

• Brand Impersonation: Anyone can easily spoof your email address to send fraudulent or spam emails, damaging your brand's credibility.
• Poor Deliverability: Without a way to verify your emails' authenticity, major email providers may flag your legitimate emails as suspicious, causing them to be rejected or sent straight to spam.
• Lack of Insight: You are completely blind to whether someone is spoofing your domain and have no data to take action.

How to Fix It: Adding a DMARC Record to Your Domain

Fixing this is simpler than it sounds. You just need to add a single TXT record in your DNS provider's dashboard (e.g., Cloudflare, GoDaddy). We strongly recommend a safe, phased approach: "monitor first, then enforce."

Step 1: Set Up a "Monitoring-Only" DMARC Record

This initial step will not affect your email delivery at all. It will only start collecting reports for you.

1. Log in to your DNS management console.
2. Add a new TXT record.
3. Configure it as follows:
   • Type: TXT
   • Name / Host: _dmarc
   • Content / Value: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:[email protected];
   • TTL: Set to 1 hour or Auto.

Important Note: Be sure to replace [email protected] with a real email address you can access. This is where you'll receive daily reports about who is sending email using your domain. The p=none policy means "no action"—it only reports, it doesn't block, making it completely safe to implement.

How to Verify the Fix

A few minutes after adding the record, you can use an online tool to verify that it's live.

1. Visit the Google Admin Toolbox (toolbox.googleapps.com/apps/dig/).
2. Enter your domain name and select the DMARC tab.

If you see the record you just added, you've successfully configured it!

From Tedious Configuration to Focused Creation

Managing DNS, understanding SPF, DKIM, DMARC... these technical details, while important, steal precious energy from you as a creator or indie developer. Your time is better spent creating amazing content and engaging with your audience.

At Postion, we believe technology should serve creativity, not hinder it. We handle all the underlying security configurations for you, including DMARC and CAA, ensuring your site is built on a secure and reliable foundation from day one. You don't have to worry about a single DNS record—just focus on writing, sharing, and monetizing.

Ready to build your personal content website on a platform that's secure and convenient? Learn how Postion helps you easily build and own your digital brand.