Email Authentication: SPF, DKIM and DMARC Together
SPF, DKIM and DMARC are often discussed separately, but they are designed to work as a team. Each covers a gap the others leave open, and only together do they give you full protection and the best chance of reaching the inbox.
This article ties the three together so you can see how they combine into a single, coherent defence for your email.
What Each One Contributes
Think of them as three layers, each answering a different question about an incoming message.
- SPF asks: was this sent from a server I approved?
- DKIM asks: was this message genuinely signed by my domain and unaltered?
- DMARC asks: what should happen if the first two checks fail, and who should be told?
Why All Three Are Needed
SPF alone can be bypassed in certain forwarding situations. DKIM alone does not say what to do on failure. DMARC alone does nothing without SPF and DKIM underneath it. Combined, they close the gaps and let you enforce a policy with confidence.
Our Approach
We configure all three in the right order, monitor the DMARC reports, and tighten the policy only once we are sure every legitimate sender passes cleanly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set these up myself?
You can, but the order and detail matter. A small mistake can block your own mail, so many clients prefer us to handle it.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.