Google and Yahoo have released for sending emails to Gmail and Yahoo. These guidelines are essential to ensure your emails reach their intended recipients without any hiccups. Microsoft has been pushing emails without validated settings to quarantine for awhile.
1. Gmail Requirements
As of February 1, 2024, Gmail has introduced new rules for email senders:
- Authentication Methods:
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) must be in place for your domain.
- Ensure that your sending domains or IPs have valid forward and reverse DNS records (also known as PTR records).
- Using a TLS connection for transmitting email is recommended.
- DMARC Alignment:
- For DMARC authentication to pass, the email must be correctly authenticated with either SPF or a DKIM signature.
- The domain in the “From:” field (visible header) must match the one in the SPF authentication or DKIM signature.
- One-Click Unsubscribe:
- Messages sent to Gmail accounts must include a one-click unsubscribe option.
2. Yahoo Requirements
Yahoo follows similar guidelines:
- Authentication Methods:
- Like Gmail, ensure that your domain has SPF and DKIM authentication methods implemented.
- DMARC Policy:
- Companies sending emails to Yahoo accounts must have a DMARC policy in place.
- DMARC provides domain-level protection for the email channel.
- DMARC Alignment:
- Messages must pass DMARC alignment (matching SPF or DKIM).
What is all this SPF, DKIM, DMARC talk about? Let’s learn more about the email authentication protocols: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These three acronyms might sound like alphabet soup, but they play a crucial role in the deliverability of your emails.
1. SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
What is SPF?
- SPF is like a publicly available employee directory for your domain.
- It lists all the authorized servers that are allowed to send emails on behalf of your domain.
- When an email server receives a message, it checks the SPF record to verify if the sending server is legitimate.
Why is SPF important?
- Prevents spammers from forging your domain in their emails.
- Helps ensure that your legitimate emails don’t get flagged as spam.
- Think of it as your domain’s business license displayed on the email wall.
2. DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
What is DKIM?
- DKIM adds a digital signature to your emails.
- It uses public key cryptography to verify that the email came from your domain.
- The recipient’s server checks the DKIM record to validate the signature.
Why is DKIM important?
- Confirms the authenticity of your emails.
- Like a signature on a check, it shows who wrote the email.
- Helps prevent phishing and email spoofing.
3. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance)
What is DMARC?
- DMARC builds on SPF and DKIM.
- It tells email servers what to do when SPF or DKIM checks fail.
- Options include marking as spam, delivering anyway, or dropping the email.
Why is DMARC important?
- Provides feedback on SPF and DKIM results.
- Ensures that email messages meet authentication policies set by the domain owner.
- Helps prevent email impersonation and phishing attacks.
Putting It All Together
- Set Up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Correctly:
- Add these records to your DNS.
- Configure your email system to use them.
- Monitor and Adjust:
- Regularly check reports from DMARC.
- Fine-tune your policies based on results.
- Protect Your Domain:
- Avoid having your emails quarantined or impersonated.
- Keep your communication secure and trustworthy.
Remember, these protocols work together like a security dream team. Implement them to safeguard your emails and build trust with your recipients! At Giraffe Web, we can help. Click the button below to request help.