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SPF, DKIM and DMARC explained

What SPF, DKIM and DMARC records do, why inbox providers check them, and how to set them up for your SendCoop sending domain.

SPF, DKIM and DMARC are DNS records that prove an email really comes from you. Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook and others check them on every message. Without them, your emails are much more likely to go to spam.

What each record does

  • SPF lists the servers that are allowed to send email for your domain.
  • DKIM adds a signature to every email. The receiving server checks it against a public key in your DNS, which proves the email wasn’t changed on the way.
  • DMARC tells receiving servers what to do with email that fails SPF or DKIM, and where to send reports.

SendCoop also asks for a Domain identity record. It proves you own the domain.

Set them up in SendCoop

  1. Click Settings, then Deliverability. The Sending domains tab opens.
  2. Click Add domain, enter your domain and save.
  3. Copy each record shown under DNS records into your DNS provider.
  4. Click Verify DNS records.

The full walk-through is in Verify your sending domain.

Add a DMARC record yourself

If SendCoop doesn’t list a DMARC record for your domain, and your domain doesn’t have one yet, add a simple one at your DNS provider:

  • Type: TXT
  • Host / Name: _dmarc
  • Value:
v=DMARC1; p=none;

p=none means “monitor only”: nothing is blocked, but providers know you have a policy. Once you are confident all your email is authenticated, you can move to p=quarantine or p=reject. If you add rua=mailto:you@yourdomain.com, providers will send you reports.

Gmail and Yahoo expect bulk senders to have a DMARC record, so it is worth adding even a basic one.

Only one SPF record

A domain can have only one SPF record (a TXT record starting with v=spf1). If you already send email from your domain with another service, such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, don’t add a second SPF record. If SendCoop shows an SPF record, merge its new part (usually an include: or ip4: entry) into your existing record instead.

Why domain verification matters

  • Better inbox placement: authenticated email is trusted more by inbox providers.
  • Your own name: no “via” labels next to your sender name.
  • Protection: DMARC makes it harder for others to send fake email in your name.
  • Your inbox score: the Sender checks in the inbox score look at SPF, DMARC and domain verification.
Still need help? Email hello@sendcoop.com and we usually reply within one business day.