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DMARC record protects your domain from unauthorized use. With Smartlead’s DMARC testing tool, you can verify the configuration of your DMARC record. A properly configured DMARC policy increases your email deliverability. Improve your chances of reaching the inbox rather than being marked as spam.
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How to Run a DMARC Test?



What is a DMARC record, and what does it include?
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) is a protocol. It protects your domain and ensures that only authorized senders can send emails using the domain.
A typical DMARC record looks something like this:
v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:[email protected]; ruf=mailto:[email protected]; fo=1; adkim=r; aspf=r; pct=100; sp=none; rf=afrf; ri=3600
Here’s a breakdown of what this includes:
- v=DMARC1 indicates the DMARC version
- p=reject directs receiving servers on how to handle emails that fail DMARC checks (options include none, quarantine, or reject).
- rua=mailto:[email protected] specifies where aggregate reports of DMARC failures should be sent.
- ruf=mailto:[email protected] is for sending forensic reports.
- fo=1 defines the conditions under which reports are generated.
- adkim=r and aspf=r set alignment modes for DKIM and SPF, respectively, to be relaxed or strict.
- pct=100 means applying the DMARC policy to 100% of failing emails.
- sp=none sets the policy for subdomains.
- rf=afrf defines the format of forensic reports.
- ri=3600 sets the interval for sending reports in seconds.
By customizing these values, domain owners can control how their email traffic is handled and monitored, enhancing their overall email security strategy.

Protect Your Brand with DMARC: Key Use Cases
Email spoofing can happen anytime. Check your DMARC record now and ensure your domain is protected against fraud today.
1. Monitor Brand Abuse and Protect Against Impersonation
Your brand’s reputation is valuable. Cybercriminals may try to exploit your domain for malicious purposes, sending out emails that appear to be from your company. Regularly checking DMARC policies gives insights into who is sending emails on your behalf. Detect any unauthorized use of your domain and prevent damage.
2. Ensure Seamless Business Communication
For businesses with multiple departments or third-party services sending emails (e.g., marketing, customer service, HR), it’s crucial that all emails are correctly authenticated. DMARC validation ensures that emails from various departments or external partners within the same domain aren’t wrongly flagged as suspicious or marked as spam. Ensure smooth communication across the organization.
3. Enhancing ROI on Email Campaigns
If your email campaigns land in spam folders, you're missing out on potential revenue. Validating your DMARC record is key to improving email deliverability and ensuring your marketing efforts reach your target audience. Securing your domain with DMARC. Protect your ROI by increasing deliverability and engagement rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pass a DMARC check?
To pass a DMARC check, go to your DNS settings and ensure that your DMARC record is appropriately configured. The record should include the correct SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) settings to verify the authenticity of your emails. If your DMARC record is set up correctly, your emails will pass DMARC checks, preventing them from being flagged as suspicious or rejected.
What does DMARC do?
DMARC is an email authentication protocol that helps protect your domain from phishing, spoofing, and unauthorized use. It works with SPF and DKIM to verify that emails sent from your domain are legitimate and not altered in transit. It also provides reporting features to give domain owners visibility into email activity and possible abuse.
How to fix a DMARC issue?
To fix a DMARC issue, you need to check if your DMARC record is configured and aligned with your SPF and DKIM records. Use a DMARC Checker tool to validate your current setup. If there are issues, adjust your DNS settings to correct the DMARC record. For example, ensure the record has the correct policy, like p=reject or p=quarantine, and that the rua and ruf tags for reporting are included.
What is a DMARC check?
A DMARC check is verifying if the DMARC record for your domain is properly set up in your DNS settings. It checks if the domain's emails align with the SPF and DKIM authentication methods, ensuring that only legitimate emails are sent from your domain and that unauthorized emails are blocked or flagged.
Is DMARC mandatory?
While DMARC is not technically mandatory for all domains, it is highly recommended for security and deliverability. Many email service providers (ESPs) and businesses are adopting DMARC to protect their brands from phishing and spoofing attacks. Implementing DMARC is essential for maintaining domain integrity and ensuring legitimate emails are delivered to inboxes, not spam folders.
Can DMARC work without SPF?
No, DMARC cannot function properly without SPF (Sender Policy Framework). DMARC uses SPF and DKIM records to authenticate emails. SPF and DKIM must be aligned with the DMARC policy to ensure full email security and proper authentication.
Is DMARC free?
Yes, DMARC is entirely free to use. Setting up DMARC involves adding a DMARC record to your domain’s DNS settings. Plus, you can check and validate your DMARC records for free with Smartlead’s DMARC Checker.
How to pass DMARC?
To pass the DMARC authentication protocol, ensure you have a valid DMARC record in your DNS. Also, don’t forget to configure your SPF and DKIM records correctly. Once DMARC is appropriately set up, it will authenticate your emails. Thus, emails are delivered to inboxes rather than being marked as spam or phishing attempts. Use the Smartlead DMARC lookup tool to validate your configuration.
What happens if DMARC is not set?
If DMARC is not set for your domain, your emails are more vulnerable to spoofing and phishing attacks. Without DMARC, email providers will have no mechanism to verify the authenticity of your emails, which can result in your emails being flagged as spam or not being delivered at all. Your domain may also be used by attackers to impersonate your brand.
What is the full form of DMARC?
DMARC stands for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance. It is a protocol designed to prevent email fraud by verifying the authenticity of email messages sent from your domain, reducing the risk of phishing and spoofing attacks.
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