What is DMARC?

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) is an email authentication protocol that helps prevent email spoofing. It builds on two existing technologies—SPF and DKIM—to give domain owners control over what happens when someone tries to send email using their domain.

Why DMARC Matters for Shopify Merchants

Every day, scammers send fake emails pretending to be from legitimate businesses. Without DMARC, anyone can send an email that appears to come from orders@yourstore.com. These emails might:

Request payment for fake invoices
Ask customers to “verify” their payment details
Announce fake sales or promotions leading to phishing sites
Damage your brand reputation when customers realize they’ve been scammed

How DMARC Works

DMARC works in three steps:

1. Authentication Check

When an email arrives, the receiving server checks if it passes SPF (sent from an authorized server) and DKIM (digitally signed by your domain).

2. Alignment Verification

DMARC verifies that the “From” address aligns with the authenticated domain. This prevents attackers from using your domain name while sending from their own servers.

3. Policy Enforcement

Based on your DMARC policy, the receiving server either:

None: Delivers the email but sends you a report
Quarantine: Sends suspicious emails to spam
Reject: Blocks the email entirely

Common DMARC Mistakes

Starting with “reject” policy

Many merchants jump straight to the strictest policy without testing. This can block legitimate emails from services like Shopify, Klaviyo, or your order fulfillment system.

Ignoring DMARC reports

DMARC sends you reports about email authentication failures. These reports help you identify both attacks and legitimate services you forgot to authorize.

Incomplete SPF records

Your SPF record must include all services that send email on your behalf—Shopify, your email marketing platform, helpdesk software, etc.

How to Check Your DMARC Configuration

Look up your domain’s DMARC record using a DNS checker
Verify you have a DMARC record (it starts with v=DMARC1)
Check your policy level (p=none, p=quarantine, or p=reject)
Ensure you have a reporting email address configured

How Recon Helps

Recon monitors your DMARC configuration and:

Alerts you if DMARC is missing or misconfigured
Analyzes your DMARC reports to identify unauthorized senders
Guides you through the process of strengthening your policy
Verifies all your email-sending services are properly authorized

FAQ

Q: Will DMARC affect my Shopify order notification emails?

A: Not if configured correctly. Shopify’s email servers are already set up to pass DMARC checks. Recon helps ensure your configuration doesn’t accidentally block legitimate emails.

Q: How long does it take to implement DMARC?

A: You can add a basic DMARC record in minutes. However, we recommend starting with a “none” policy and gradually strengthening it over 2-4 weeks while monitoring reports.

Q: Is DMARC required for Shopify stores?

A: It’s not required, but it’s highly recommended. Google and Yahoo now require DMARC for bulk email senders, and having DMARC improves your email deliverability overall.

DMARC: Email Authentication Explained