What Is DMARC, SPF, and DKIM?

Email authentication is key to protecting your brand, improving deliverability, and avoiding the spam folder. Three core standards -SPF,DKIM, andDMARC - work together to validate that emails sent from your domain are legitimate.

SPF (Sender Policy Framework)

What it does:
SPF allows you to specify which IP addresses and mail servers are allowed to send emails on behalf of your domain.

Why it matters:
Prevents spoofing by making sure only approved senders can use your domain. Without SPF, anyone could pretend to send emails from your company.

Example:
Add your email provider’s IP to your DNS as an SPF record.

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)

What it does:
DKIM uses a digital signature to verify that the email content was not changed in transit and that it comes from a trusted sender.

Why it matters:
Protects message integrity. If someone tries to alter the message, the signature will no longer match.

Example:
A DKIM record includes a cryptographic public key published in your DNS.

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance)

What it does:
DMARC builds on SPF and DKIM. It tells email providers how to handle unauthenticated messages (e.g. reject or quarantine them) and sends you reports.

Why it matters:
Protects your domain from phishing and abuse. It gives you visibility into who is sending on your behalf.

Example:
Add a DMARC policy in your DNS that tells inbox providers to reject or flag suspicious messages.

Why It Matters for Your Business

Email is still one of the most effective ways to connect with your customers - but only if your messages reach the inbox. Without proper authentication, even legitimate emails can be flagged as spam or blocked entirely.

If you send email campaigns or transactional emails, setting up these standards is essential for:

• Improving inbox placement

• Building sender reputation

• Preventing domain spoofing

• Complying with security best practices

Securing your email infrastructure is not just a technical task - it is a foundation for building trust and reaching your audience consistently. Get it right from the beginning, and you will see the difference in deliverability and engagement.