Are SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records necessary for transactional email servers not used for marketing?

Email marketer from MailerSend shares that both DKIM and SPF records are important for transactional emails to improve deliverability, build trust, and authenticate emails that you're sending.

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that while transactional emails might seem less susceptible to spam filters, implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is crucial. These protocols help in verifying the authenticity of your emails, signaling to ISPs that your server is authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain, which in turn improves deliverability and sender reputation.

Email marketer from EasyDMARC emphasizes the universal need for email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), highlighting that transactional emails are not exempt. These mechanisms assure recipients that the email genuinely originates from your domain, guarding against phishing and spoofing, regardless of the email's content.

Email marketer from Reddit answers that SPF/DKIM is essential for transactional emails. Even if it's not bulk, without authentication, your emails are more likely to end up in spam.

Email marketer from Postmark explains that SPF and DKIM are essential for deliverability, especially for transactional emails. These help receiving servers verify that you are who you say you are and ensures your email reaches the inbox.

Email marketer from StackOverflow mentions that using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for transactional email is best practice. Mailbox providers treat you better with authentication.

Email marketer from AuthSMTP explains that even for transactional emails, setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is critical. It helps to prove your emails are legitimate and reduces the risk of them being marked as spam.

Expert from Spam Resource says that even though your email server is only used for transactional emails, authentication is still recommended to follow best practices to ensure deliverability.

Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, emphasizes that DMARC should be used for all email types, including transactional emails, because it provides domain-level protection. It ensures that only legitimate emails are delivered and prevents fraudulent activities, irrespective of the email's nature.

Documentation from RFC Editor shares that DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is an authentication method that cryptographically signs emails, verifying the sender's domain. This is crucial for establishing trust and ensuring that emails, including transactional ones, are not tampered with during transit.

Documentation from Microsoft details that an SPF record helps prevent spoofing and improves deliverability. Although it mentions bulk emails, SPF is necessary for any domain sending email, including for transactional purposes.

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help emphasizes that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are essential for all email types, including transactional emails, to authenticate the sending server and prevent spoofing, which enhances deliverability and security, regardless of whether the email is marketing-related or not.

Documentation from DMARC.org advocates for using DMARC across all email streams, including transactional ones. Implementing DMARC ensures that your domain is protected from unauthorized use, which is equally important for transactional emails to maintain trust and prevent phishing attacks.