DMARC, DKIM, and SPF Explained: A Complete Email Authentication Guide

Afruz Fatulla-zada09.08.2025

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DMARC, DKIM, and SPF Explained: A Complete Email Authentication Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about email verification.

Do I Need DMARC If I Already Have SPF and DKIM?

Yes, absolutely. SPF and DKIM are validation mechanisms, but they don't provide instructions or feedback. DMARC is the policy layer that tells receiving servers what to do with emails that fail those checks and gives you the reports needed to monitor your domain.

Can I Use DMARC Without DKIM or SPF?

No. DMARC's function is entirely dependent on the results of SPF and/or DKIM checks. You must have at least one of them properly configured for DMARC to work.

What’s the Most Important Protocol to Start With?

SPF is generally the easiest and quickest to implement, making it a great starting point. However, the end goal should always be to have all three protocols—SPF, DKIM, and DMARC—working together.

Where Are SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Records Stored?

All three are stored as TXT records in your domain's DNS settings.

Do I Need All Three Protocols to Send Email?

You can technically send email without them, but you will suffer from poor deliverability and be highly vulnerable to spoofing. For any professional communication, all three are essential.

Does DMARC Require Both SPF and DKIM?

No. DMARC requires that an email passes either SPF or DKIM, and that the passing mechanism is "aligned" with the From: domain.

Does DKIM Work Without DMARC?

Yes, DKIM will still cryptographically sign and validate messages on its own. However, without DMARC, there is no instruction for what a receiving server should do if the DKIM check fails.

Can DMARC Pass With Just SPF?

Yes, if the SPF check passes and the domain in the Return-Path address (which SPF checks) aligns with the From: address domain, DMARC will pass.

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