How can I implement a strict DMARC policy without blocking Google Workspace emails?

Summary

Implementing a strict DMARC policy without blocking legitimate emails, particularly those from Google Workspace, involves a multi-faceted approach. The consensus is to begin with a relaxed `p=none` policy to monitor email traffic, identify sending sources, and resolve any authentication issues. Ensuring correct SPF and DKIM configuration for all senders, including Google Workspace and any third-party ESPs, is crucial, especially in light of Yahoo and Gmail's 2024 requirements. DKIM alignment, where the signing domain matches the 'From' address, is also important. Subdomains can be used to isolate marketing emails and apply stricter policies without affecting the primary domain. Regular monitoring of DMARC reports is essential for identifying and addressing authentication failures. Email forwarding can break DMARC, so using SRS may be necessary. Finally, using online DMARC checkers helps validate the policy setup. A gradual transition to `p=quarantine` and then `p=reject` is recommended once you're confident in your authentication setup.

Key findings

  • Phased Rollout: Begin with `p=none`, then `p=quarantine`, and finally `p=reject`.
  • Comprehensive Authentication: Ensure SPF and DKIM are correctly configured for ALL sending sources, including Google Workspace, ESPs, and CRMs.
  • DKIM Alignment: The DKIM signing domain should align with the 'From' address domain.
  • Subdomain Isolation: Use subdomains for marketing emails for stricter policies.
  • Regular Monitoring: Monitor DMARC reports to identify and address authentication failures.

Key considerations

  • Subdomain Policy: Subdomains inherit the organizational domain's DMARC policy unless explicitly set.
  • Third-Party Setup: Follow specific setup instructions for SPF/DKIM from third-party senders.
  • Forwarding Issues: Email forwarding can break DMARC; consider SRS.
  • Policy Enforcement: `p=none` collects data; `p=quarantine` sends to spam; `p=reject` blocks.
  • 2024 Requirements: Be aware of Yahoo and Gmail's updated sender requirements regarding authentication.
  • DMARC Validation: Regularly validate DMARC record setup using online checkers.

What email marketers say
9Marketer opinions

Implementing a strict DMARC policy requires careful planning to avoid blocking legitimate emails, especially those from Google Workspace. The recommended approach involves starting with a relaxed policy (p=none) to monitor email traffic and identify all sending sources. Ensuring proper SPF and DKIM configuration is crucial, particularly for third-party senders like SendGrid. DKIM alignment, where the signing domain matches the 'From' address domain, is also essential. Subdomains can be used to isolate marketing emails and apply stricter policies without affecting primary domain deliverability. Monitoring DMARC reports helps identify authentication issues and fine-tune the policy. Forwarding can break DMARC, so using SRS may be needed. Online DMARC checkers can validate your setup.

Key opinions

  • Phased Rollout: Begin with `p=none` to monitor traffic before enforcing stricter policies.
  • Proper Authentication: Ensure SPF and DKIM are correctly configured for all sending sources, including Google Workspace and third-party senders.
  • DKIM Alignment: Verify that the DKIM signing domain aligns with the 'From' address domain.
  • Subdomain Isolation: Use subdomains for marketing emails to isolate potential authentication issues.
  • Report Monitoring: Regularly monitor DMARC reports to identify and address authentication failures.

Key considerations

  • Subdomain Policy Inheritance: If sending from a subdomain, ensure it has its own DMARC record or it will inherit the policy of the organizational domain.
  • Third-Party Configuration: Follow specific SPF/DKIM setup instructions from third-party senders like SendGrid.
  • Forwarding Impact: Be aware that email forwarding can break DMARC authentication; consider implementing SRS.
  • Regular Validation: Use online DMARC checkers to validate and maintain your policy.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Proofpoint explains that when DMARC fails, the receiving mail server takes the action outlined in your DMARC policy (none, quarantine, or reject) based on the results of SPF and DKIM checks. Without a DMARC record, domains are vulnerable to impersonation.

February 2022 - Proofpoint
Marketer view

Email marketer from AuthSMTP answers that using online DMARC checkers is important as they validate whether or not your record is correctly setup. The advise to double check it matches your providers instructions.

December 2024 - AuthSMTP
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that ensuring DKIM alignment is crucial for passing DMARC checks. DKIM alignment means that the domain used to sign the email with DKIM matches the domain in the 'From' address. This can be accomplished with Custom DKIM records.

March 2021 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that configuring DMARC for services like SendGrid requires you to correctly set up SPF and DKIM for that specific service. Work with their specific documentation for setup requirements to avoid any issues.

October 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that the customer likely set the `reject` policy on their organizational domain while the sender manages a subdomain. Suggests starting with `p=none` and reviewing reports to identify and authenticate all traffic. Also warns against blindly implementing changes without understanding DMARC's function.

June 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EasyDMARC shares that regularly monitoring DMARC reports is crucial for identifying authentication issues and unauthorized sending sources. These reports provide insights into email traffic and help you fine-tune your DMARC policy to avoid blocking legitimate emails.

April 2022 - EasyDMARC
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost explains that email forwarding often breaks DMARC authentication because the forwarded email no longer matches the original SPF and DKIM records. Using SRS (Sender Rewriting Scheme) can mitigate this issue.

September 2022 - SparkPost
Marketer view

Email marketer from Postmark shares that using subdomains for marketing emails allows you to implement a stricter DMARC policy on your main domain without affecting the deliverability of marketing emails. This isolates any potential authentication issues to the subdomain.

September 2022 - Postmark
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that if sending mail from a subdomain, the subdomain will inherit the DMARC policy from the org domain unless an explicit DMARC record is created for the subdomain.

April 2023 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Implementing a strict DMARC policy without blocking legitimate emails, such as those from Google Workspace, requires a phased approach. Experts recommend starting with `p=none` to identify and resolve authentication issues before moving to stricter policies like `quarantine` or `reject`. A key requirement, especially with the 2024 Yahoo and Gmail updates, is ensuring SPF and DKIM are properly configured for *every* sender, including Google Workspace itself and any ESP/CRM used in conjunction. Failing to do so is a primary cause of deliverability problems.

Key opinions

  • Phased Implementation: DMARC deployment should progress gradually from `p=none` to `p=quarantine` and finally `p=reject`.
  • Comprehensive SPF/DKIM Setup: SPF and DKIM must be correctly configured for *all* sending sources, including Google Workspace and any connected ESP/CRMs.
  • Address Authentication Issues: Use the `p=none` phase to identify and resolve any authentication problems before enforcing stricter policies.

Key considerations

  • Gmail and Yahoo Updates: Be aware of and comply with the latest email authentication requirements from Gmail and Yahoo, particularly regarding SPF/DKIM.
  • Testing: Thorough testing of your DMARC settings is key and should be done before changing any settings.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise shares that DMARC deployment should be done in phases. Starting with `p=none` to monitor, then moving to `p=quarantine` and finally `p=reject` once you are confident in your email authentication setup, to avoid blocking legitimate emails.

August 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks responds to a question on implementing a strict DMARC policy. He recommends starting with `p=none` to fix any authentication issues before moving to `quarantine` or `reject`.

September 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that Yahoo and Gmail's 2024 requirements necessitate setting up SPF and DKIM for each sender, including Google Workspace itself. If you are using Google Workspace with another Email Sending Platform they must both have SPF/DKIM set up and be authenticating properly.

June 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks states DKIM needs to be implemented for each sender, including both Workspace and the ESP/CRM. Suggests this is likely the cause of the issue.

November 2022 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Implementing a DMARC policy without disrupting Google Workspace emails, according to official documentation, involves a phased approach. Start with a relaxed `p=none` policy to monitor email traffic and identify all legitimate sending sources. Gradually increase the policy strictness to `p=quarantine` and then `p=reject` as you gain confidence in your authentication setup. Accurate SPF record configuration is crucial, particularly when using third-party senders, to prevent legitimate emails from failing DMARC checks. DMARC records themselves are TXT records published to your DNS zone under the `_dmarc` name.

Key findings

  • Phased Approach: Begin with `p=none` and gradually increase strictness.
  • SPF Configuration: Ensure accurate SPF records, especially for third-party senders.
  • DMARC Record Type: DMARC records are TXT records published to the DNS zone under the name `_dmarc`.

Key considerations

  • Policy Impact: `p=none` collects data without affecting deliverability; `p=quarantine` directs unauthenticated emails to spam; `p=reject` rejects them.
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that when setting up DMARC, ensure SPF records are correctly configured to authenticate sending sources. Incorrectly configured SPF records can lead to legitimate emails failing DMARC checks, especially when using third-party senders.

February 2023 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from Cloudflare explains that DMARC records are TXT records that must be published to your DNS zone using the `_dmarc` name.

May 2022 - Cloudflare
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org explains that the `p=none` policy allows you to collect data on email authentication without impacting deliverability. The `p=quarantine` policy directs recipient servers to place unauthenticated emails in the spam folder. The `p=reject` policy directs recipient servers to reject unauthenticated emails.

May 2023 - DMARC.org
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help explains that you should start with a relaxed DMARC policy (p=none) to monitor email traffic and identify legitimate sources. Gradually increase the strictness of the policy (p=quarantine, then p=reject) as you gain confidence that all legitimate email sources are properly authenticated.

June 2021 - Google Workspace Admin Help