DMARC checker
A DMARC checker looks up the TXT record at _dmarc on your domain, the one that says what to do when SPF or DKIM fails.
For course and coaching email, start by seeing whether that record exists and what p= is set to. No record is a fail. p=none is published, and it only monitors.
Nothing is stored. The check runs in your browser against public DNS. CourseSignal does not keep the domain you look up.
What a DMARC record is
DMARC is a TXT record on the name _dmarc. The p= tag is the policy: none asks receivers to take no action and is how you monitor, quarantine asks them to treat failing mail as spam, and reject asks them to refuse it. rua= is where aggregate reports go. Since February 2024, Google and Yahoo have required bulk senders (around 5,000 or more messages a day to their users) to publish DMARC along with SPF and DKIM.
The checker on this page still reads SPF, DKIM, DMARC and MX together. Other free DNS tools publish the raw record. Use this one when the domain sends course or coaching email and you want the DMARC result in plain language.
How to read a fail
- No DMARC record. Nothing was found at _dmarc.yourdomain. Receivers are not given a policy, and you are not collecting aggregate reports from this record.
- More than one DMARC record. Two or more records at the same name cause receivers to ignore DMARC. Leave one.
- No usable p= tag. The record needs p=none, p=quarantine or p=reject. Without a valid policy, this checker marks it as a fail.
- p=none is a warning, not a fail. p=none meets a “publish something” check and does not ask receivers to quarantine or reject spoofed mail. Read the reports, then tighten the policy once your real mail passes.
Then work through the send, not only the DNS
Authentication is step one. The CourseSignal Email Deliverability Checklist walks through SPF, DKIM and DMARC, list hygiene, warm-up and a pre-send test for course and coaching email. It does not promise inbox placement.
Advert Paid download from CourseSignal.Sold and delivered by Payhip. More detail on the checklist page.
FAQ
What does a missing DMARC record mean?
This checker marks it as a fail. There is no policy for mail that fails SPF and DKIM alignment, and this record is not sending you reports.
Should I start on p=reject?
Usually not. p=none lets you see who is sending as you. Move to quarantine, then reject, after the reports show your real course and coaching mail is aligned. Jumping to reject can block mail you meant to send.
Is p=none a fail?
No. This checker treats p=none as a warning. The record exists and monitors. It does not tell receivers to junk or refuse failing mail.
Does a DMARC pass guarantee the inbox?
No. A pass means a policy was published and, for quarantine or reject, it is stricter than monitor-only. Inbox placement still depends on reputation, the list and the message.
Related: Email authentication checker · SPF checker · DKIM checker · Check if email goes to spam · Deliverability testing tools · Deliverability checklist.