Definition
SPF, DKIM and DMARC are email authentication standards that let the recipient's mail server verify that an email really was sent from the domain it claims, and therefore isn't spoofed.
Also called: SPF, DKIM, DMARC, Email authenticationFrom sender to recipient.
- 01 / Sender identity
- Check domain and authentication: SPF, DKIM and DMARC.
- 02 / Recipient server
- Reputation, relevance and list quality affect placement.
- 03 / Response
- Track clicks, purchases, unsubscribes and complaints. Opens may be machine-generated.
01Check domain and authentication: SPF, DKIM and DMARC.
Proof that you are who you say you are
SPF specifies which servers are allowed to send on behalf of your domain. DKIM attaches a cryptographic signature to every email, so the recipient can verify the content wasn't altered in transit and that it came from you. DMARC ties the two together and tells the recipient what to do if an email fails the check.
Without proper setup, inbox providers treat you with suspicion: your emails may land in spam or get rejected because they can't confirm the sender. With SPF, DKIM and DMARC in place, both deliverability and the trust your domain enjoys go up. It's basic infrastructure, not a nice-to-have.
Frequently asked questions
Are SPF, DKIM and DMARC necessary?
Yes. Without them, inbox providers see your emails as possible spam or spoofing, which hurts deliverability. Major providers increasingly require proper authentication to deliver bulk email at all.
Who sets up SPF, DKIM and DMARC?
It's done in your DNS settings and typically configured alongside your email platform (like Klaviyo). It's a one-time setup with a big impact on whether your emails arrive, and worth checking if deliverability is struggling.
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About the author
Nicklas Segatz Mortensen
Growth hacker and fractional CMO with 10+ years' experience and hundreds of millions in managed ad spend behind him. Background from larger Danish and international scale-ups, and from the agency world.
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