How does DMARC work?
DMARC functions by working in unison with SPF and DKIM. It allows the email sender to indicate that their messages are protected by SPF and/or DKIM, and instructs a receiving mail server on how to respond if neither of those authentication methods passes - such as to reject the message or quarantine it. The policy can also provide a reporting mechanism where the email receiver can report back to the sender about messages that pass and/or fail DMARC evaluation.
Implementing DMARC through Amazon SES
This section provides guidance on configuring Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) so that the emails our customers send are compliant with SPF, and thus, DMARC. By ensuring compliance with SPF, your email's deliverability rate can be significantly improved.
Here's a step-by-step process to ensure DMARC compliance through SPF:
Step 1: Access DNS Settings
Log in to your DNS hosting provider's dashboard. If you do not manage your DNS settings, please contact your hosting/webmaster company for assistance.
Step 2: Modify TXT DNS Record
In your DNS settings, look for the TXT DNS Record Type. You will need to add or modify a record here.
Step 3: Update "Value" Information
Add the following TXT to your current record: include:amazonses.com.
For example, if your current record looks like this:
yourdomain.com. 0 IN TXT "v=spf1 mx include:mx.yourmailprovider.com include:spf.yourmailservice.com ?all"
You should update it to:
yourdomain.com. 0 IN TXT "v=spf1 mx include:mx.yourmailprovider.com include:spf.yourmailservice.com include:amazonses.com ?all"
Note:
The last part of the record can be "~all" or "?all".
~all: This is a soft fail. If the SPF check fails, the receiving server should still accept the mail, but mark it. This is often used during testing, or if you’re not sure if all your mail servers are included in your SPF record.
?all: This is a neutral mechanism. The domain owner isn’t making any assertion about the IP addresses that are not listed in the SPF record. It essentially means "always pass and do not take any policy action".
Step 4: Save and Verify Your Record
Once you've updated the TXT record, save your changes. It's important to note that DNS changes may take some time to propagate across the Internet.
Summary
DMARC, SPF, and DKIM are essential components of email security and deliverability. Complying with these standards helps to protect your domain from misuse and enhances the likelihood of your emails reaching their intended recipients. By following these guidelines and ensuring correct setup with Amazon SES, you will be taking significant steps toward better email security and deliverability.