How DMARC Impacts Your Business Communications: Navigating Recent Email Changes 

We’ve noticed significant shifts in the email landscape, especially with major providers like Gmail, Yahoo, etc. A fundamental change revolves around DMARC, which stands for Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting & Conformance. DMARC is a protocol designed to combat email spoofing and phishing by ensuring emails are sent from verified sources. Due to the adoption of DMARC policies, the way emails are received and authenticated is evolving. These changes influence how your emails land in your recipient’s inbox. But don’t fret! As a Keap Certified Partner, we’re well-versed in these updates and are here to guide you seamlessly through this transition.

Understanding DMARC’s Role in the Evolving Email Landscape:

The digital communication world is undergoing pivotal changes, and DMARC is at the forefront of this transformation. DMARC, or Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting & Conformance, is a protocol designed to establish trust in email communications. Its primary goal? To counteract email spoofing and phishing, ensuring that only authenticated emails reach your recipient’s inbox.

Major email providers are now embracing DMARC as part of their commitment to fortifying email security. These revised policies might lead to email rejection from outside their native platforms. For instance, if you’ve chosen a ‘from’ email address associated with one of these providers but dispatch it via Keap or Infusionsoft, there’s a risk your email could face deliverability challenges. While the primary intention behind these changes is to sculpt a more secure and trustworthy email ecosystem, it’s essential to know that they might momentarily disrupt your authentic marketing campaigns.

Let’s Dive into Some FAQs About DMARC:

What if I don’t switch to a DMARC-friendly “from” address?

If you don’t make the shift, Keap will step in and adjust your “from” address to end with @infusionmail.com. For instance:

• george@gmail.com becomes george+gmail@infusionmail.com
• Maxcompany@yahoo.com transforms to Maxcompany+yahoo@infusionmail.com

But remember, this is a band-aid solution! It’s always a good idea to have a private domain email (like Hello@myamazingbusiness.com) for a more professional touch.

What is DMARC?

DMARC, which stands for Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting & Conformance, is an email authentication protocol designed to combat email fraud. It builds upon two existing mechanisms: SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). DMARC allows domain owners to specify how they want email services to handle emails that were not authenticated using SPF or DKIM. In essence, it provides a way for the email sender’s domain to tell the email receiver’s domain how to respond if an email doesn’t meet the authentication standards.

DMARC helps in:

1. Protection against phishing and spoofing: By verifying if an email is genuinely from the domain it claims to be from, DMARC can significantly reduce deceptive emails, such as phishing attempts.
2. Enhancing email deliverability: By implementing DMARC, organizations can increase the chances of their emails landing in the recipient’s inbox rather than the spam or junk folder.
3. Gaining visibility: DMARC reports provide domain owners insights into who is sending email on their behalf, helping them identify legitimate and potentially malicious senders.

In summary, DMARC is a crucial tool for organizations aiming to secure their email communications, protect their brand reputation, and ensure their emails reach their intended recipients.

For a more detailed explanation of the topic, visit dmarc.org.

Which email providers are adopting DMARC?

The list includes Yahoo, AOL, Google, and Microsoft. So, if your ‘From’ address in Infusionsoft ends with domains like @yahoo, @aol, @gmail, @outlook, @hotmail, @msn, or @live, you might need to rethink it.

Is this challenge exclusive to Keap?

Absolutely not! This is an industry-wide change. If you use any email marketing tool or CRM and send from the affected domains, your emails will most likely face deliverability issues.

My ‘from’ email in Keap falls under the affected domains. What’s next?

It’s simple! We always recommend business owners have a private domain email. If you already have a website, you might have access to one. If unsure, reach out to your website host.

How can I integrate my private domain email with Keap or Infusionsoft?

Here’s a quick guide:

• Navigate to Admin > Users.
• Choose the User you’d like to update.
• Change the email address, adjust permissions if needed, and hit Save.
• Ensure you update any user with email domains like @gmail, @hotmail, @msn, @live, @yahoo, or @aol.
• If your campaigns use ‘Other’ or non-merge fields with the mentioned domains, update those too!

We’re here to help every step of the way. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Navigating the intricate landscape of email communication is essential for businesses today. With DMARC playing a pivotal role in enhancing email security, it’s crucial for businesses, especially those utilizing platforms like Infusionsoft, to stay updated. Major email providers, including Gmail, Yahoo, and Microsoft, are adopting DMARC to ensure genuine and secure email interactions. As we embrace this evolving landscape, understanding and adapting to these changes is not just about email deliverability; it’s about ensuring trust and authenticity in every digital interaction. Stay informed, be adaptable, and continue to prioritize secure communications for your business’s success.