How do DMARC quarantine and reject policies affect sender reputation and email delivery?

Summary

DMARC's quarantine and reject policies significantly influence email delivery and sender reputation. The 'quarantine' policy typically sends emails failing authentication to the spam folder, while 'reject' blocks them entirely. Although a 'reject' policy can enhance sender reputation by signaling security awareness to ISPs and protect against spoofing, incorrect configuration can lead to the blocking of legitimate emails. Receivers may sometimes choose to ignore the stated policy. A gradual implementation strategy, starting with 'none' for monitoring, then 'quarantine,' and finally 'reject,' is recommended, coupled with continuous DMARC report analysis. DMARC is only part of the overall email deliverability strategy and should be considered separately from sender reputation, as it is a policy mechanism and not a spam filter.

Key findings

  • Quarantine vs. Reject: 'Quarantine' sends failing emails to spam; 'Reject' blocks them.
  • Reputation Impact: 'Reject' enhances reputation if implemented correctly; damages it if misconfigured.
  • Gradual Rollout: Phased DMARC implementation minimizes disruption.
  • Monitoring Importance: Continuous monitoring of DMARC reports is vital.
  • Authentication: Authentication needs fixing before enforcement.
  • Policy suggestion: DMARC policy is only a suggestion to receivers.

Key considerations

  • Configuration Accuracy: Ensure correct SPF/DKIM configuration before enforcing 'reject'.
  • False Positives: Avoid false positives to prevent blocking legitimate emails.
  • DMARC Reporting: Regularly monitor and analyze DMARC reports.
  • Gradual Transition: Implement DMARC in stages to avoid deliverability issues.
  • Holistic Approach: DMARC is just one aspect of email deliverability.
  • Trust no one: Receivers may accept/reject regardless of DMARC policy.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

DMARC quarantine and reject policies significantly impact email delivery and sender reputation. A 'quarantine' policy places emails failing DMARC checks in the spam folder, while a 'reject' policy blocks them entirely. While 'reject' offers robust protection against spoofing and can improve sender reputation by signaling security awareness to ISPs, misconfiguration can lead to legitimate emails being blocked. Implementing DMARC requires careful planning, starting with a 'none' policy for monitoring, gradually moving to 'quarantine,' and finally 'reject,' while continuously monitoring DMARC reports to address authentication issues and avoid unintended consequences. Sender reputation and DMARC should be considered separately, as DMARC is a policy mechanism, not a spam filter.

Key opinions

  • Quarantine vs. Reject: Quarantine sends failing emails to spam; Reject blocks them outright.
  • Reputation Impact: Reject can enhance sender reputation by signaling security to ISPs, but misconfiguration damages it.
  • Gradual Implementation: Rolling out DMARC gradually (none -> quarantine -> reject) minimizes disruption.
  • Monitoring is Critical: Continuous monitoring of DMARC reports is essential to identify and fix authentication issues.
  • DMARC Function: DMARC is a policy mechanism, not a spam filter.

Key considerations

  • Configuration Accuracy: Ensure SPF and DKIM are correctly configured before enforcing a 'reject' policy.
  • False Positives: Take care to avoid false positives, where legitimate emails are incorrectly blocked.
  • Monitoring Reports: Diligently monitor DMARC reports to identify and resolve authentication issues.
  • Gradual Transition: Implement DMARC policies gradually to avoid disrupting legitimate email flow.
  • Separate policies: Consider sender reputation and DMARC separately to understand the full impact on deliverability.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests that a policy of quarantine has the potential to break email less than reject. Recommends a cautious journey from none to quarantine to reject, but skipping quarantine is acceptable in some cases. Quarantine provides security and buys time to resolve authentication issues.

March 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow explains that a 'quarantine' policy in DMARC means emails that fail authentication checks are typically sent to the spam folder. This still allows recipients to access the email, but marks it as potentially suspicious.

January 2022 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that DMARC policies, particularly reject, can negatively impact email delivery if legitimate emails are incorrectly identified as fraudulent. Implementing DMARC correctly is crucial to avoid blocking wanted emails.

April 2024 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from dmarcian responds that incorrect implementation of a DMARC reject policy can lead to legitimate emails being blocked, which can damage sender reputation. Monitoring DMARC reports is essential to identify and correct any issues.

October 2022 - dmarcian
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost responds that monitoring DMARC reports is essential. Analyzing these reports helps identify and resolve authentication issues that could negatively affect delivery when a quarantine or reject policy is enforced. Continuous monitoring is key.

January 2023 - SparkPost
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora explains that a reject policy can help enhance a sender's reputation by signaling to mail providers that the sender is serious about security and has measures in place to prevent spoofing. This can improve deliverability over time.

October 2023 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from Postmark shares that DMARC's quarantine and reject policies directly influence deliverability. A reject policy ensures that unauthenticated emails are blocked, protecting recipients but potentially losing legitimate emails if misconfigured. A quarantine policy provides a softer approach, allowing scrutiny before delivery.

February 2022 - Postmark
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid shares that implementing a DMARC reject policy helps protect a sender's domain from spoofing. A strong policy can improve deliverability by signaling to ISPs that the sender takes security seriously. However, care must be taken to avoid false positives.

December 2024 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that setting a DMARC policy to reject without properly configuring SPF and DKIM can lead to all your emails being blocked. It is important to first monitor reports with a 'none' policy, then quarantine, and finally reject.

March 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from EasyDMARC emphasizes the impact of a DMARC reject policy in protecting a sender's brand and reputation. It prevents malicious actors from spoofing the domain. Recommends to implement this policy to block fraudulent email activity.

May 2024 - EasyDMARC
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks warns that with a quarantine policy, bounces won't occur if legitimate mail fails DMARC, so DMARC reports should be monitored. Reject policies will cause bounces, making failures more noticeable.

December 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks Forum recommends a gradual rollout of DMARC policies, starting with 'none', then 'quarantine', and finally 'reject'. Monitoring reports at each stage is vital to minimize disruption and ensure legitimate emails aren't blocked.

August 2024 - EmailGeeks Forum
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that sender reputation and DMARC should be considered separately, and DMARC is a policy mechanism, not a spam filter. One should proceed with quarantine, noting that the DMARC policy is only a suggestion to receivers.

April 2022 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Experts highlight that DMARC quarantine and reject policies have nuanced effects on sender reputation and email delivery. Receivers may still accept messages that fail DMARC, even with a 'reject' policy. Misconfigured 'reject' policies can lead to deliverability issues, potentially blocking legitimate emails, even from paying customers. A message landing in the junk folder due to DMARC isn't the same as a spam report directly harming reputation, as DMARC primarily targets non-authenticated emails. Gradual implementation and continuous monitoring of DMARC reports are crucial for preventing unintended blocking. DMARC is just one piece of the overall deliverability puzzle.

Key opinions

  • Receiver Discretion: Receivers may ignore DMARC 'reject' policies and still deliver emails.
  • Legitimate Email Loss: Misconfigured DMARC can block valid emails, affecting communication with customers.
  • Reputation Impact: DMARC-induced spam placement isn't the same as user-reported spam.
  • Gradual Rollout: A phased DMARC implementation minimizes disruptions.

Key considerations

  • Policy Flexibility: Understand that receivers may not strictly adhere to your DMARC policy.
  • Authentication Accuracy: Ensure accurate SPF and DKIM setup to avoid blocking legitimate emails.
  • Monitoring is Key: Continuously monitor DMARC reports to identify and address authentication issues promptly.
  • Holistic Approach: Recognize that DMARC is part of a broader email deliverability strategy.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that receivers may decide to accept messages that fail and have a reject policy. Also notes that valid mail can be lost due to DMARC failures, even from paying customers.

June 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that a message placed in the junk folder as a result of DMARC policy is not the same as a spam report harming reputation. DMARC policy impacts non-authenticated or failed-to-authenticate emails. Legitimate emails in spam due to DMARC means authentication needs fixing before enforcement.

January 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise, in a panel discussion, advises starting with a 'none' policy to monitor DMARC reports, then gradually move to 'quarantine' and 'reject' policies. Monitoring is key to avoiding the unintended blocking of legitimate emails.

April 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that misconfigured DMARC policies, particularly 'reject', can cause deliverability problems. She recommends careful planning and testing to avoid blocking legitimate email, also emphasises that DMARC is only one piece of the deliverability puzzle.

May 2021 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Official documentation consistently describes DMARC's 'quarantine' policy as directing receiving servers to mark emails failing authentication checks as spam or treat them with suspicion, typically placing them in the recipient's junk folder. In contrast, the 'reject' policy instructs receiving servers to refuse delivery of such emails, preventing them from reaching the inbox or spam folder. The chosen policy significantly affects email handling and deliverability.

Key findings

  • Quarantine Action: Emails failing DMARC with quarantine policy typically go to the junk/spam folder.
  • Reject Action: Emails failing DMARC with reject policy are refused by the receiving server.
  • Impact on Deliverability: DMARC policy directly impacts whether an email is delivered, junked, or blocked.
  • Decision making: DMARC helps receiving mail systems decide what to do with messages that fail SPF or DKIM checks.

Key considerations

  • Policy Choice: Carefully consider the implications of quarantine vs. reject for your email program.
  • False Positives: Account for the potential for false positives when implementing a reject policy.
  • Server Behavior: Understand that receiving servers implement DMARC policies according to their own configurations.
  • RFC Standard: RFC 7489 defines the core DMARC mechanisms.
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help explains that with a DMARC policy of quarantine, messages that fail DMARC checks are marked as spam. With a policy of reject, messages that fail DMARC checks are rejected by the receiving mail server, preventing them from reaching the recipient's inbox or spam folder.

November 2023 - Google Workspace Admin Help
Technical article

Documentation from AuthSMTP describes that if your email is DMARC 'rejected' then it should not reach the recipient, it is either dropped or bounced. If it is 'quarantined' it is treated as suspicious and often sent to the recipient's junk folder.

November 2021 - AuthSMTP
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that DMARC helps receiving mail systems decide what to do with messages from your domain that fail SPF or DKIM checks. A 'reject' policy instructs the receiver to refuse the message, while 'quarantine' usually means placing the message in the recipient's junk folder.

June 2021 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from RFC 7489 specifies that the 'quarantine' policy asks the receiver to treat messages that fail DMARC checks as suspicious. The 'reject' policy tells the receiver to refuse the message. The chosen policy affects how mail is handled and the likelihood of delivery.

January 2024 - RFC Editor