How to Set Up a DMARC Record in GoDaddy

If GoDaddy is your domain provider and you need to know how to set up DMARC, keep reading.

While it may seem complicated initially, setting up a DMARC record on GoDaddy is a manageable process, and we’ll guide you through the steps to do it effectively.

What Is a DMARC Record? ❓

A DMARC record is a TXT record in your Domain’s DNS configuration.

It instructs email servers on what to do when emails fail the DMARC authentication and where to send delivery reports.

A well-configured DMARC record ensures that only legitimate senders can use a sending domain.

DMARC makes emails more secure and prevents spoofing and phishing attacks.

Additionally, having a properly configured DMARC will help your emails avoid the spam folder.

Important: To activate DMARC, ensure that your SPF and DKIM records have been functioning correctly for at least 48 hours.

First Things First: Getting Your DMARC Record Ready 📝

A DMARC record is a line of text that may seem complicated at first.

Truth is: it’s really simple.

Take a look at this example:

🛠 v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:youremail@yourdomain.com

There are three parts to a DMARC record. The “v” stands for version, the “p” for policy, and the “rua” tag is where you want your reports to be sent to.

Since there’s currently only one valid DMARC version, the “v” part is always the same.

The "rua" tag is where you will provide your email address. All DMARC reports will be sent there.

The only slightly complicated component is the “p” part. The DMARC P(olicy) setting has three options:

1. “None” tells email servers to do nothing. With this option, there’s no protection against unauthorized emails, but it’s the setting you want in the first weeks after implementing DMARC. Why? Because it allows you to identify deliverability problems without the consequences of stricter policy settings. After getting accurate reports for a few weeks, you should use one of the stricter policies below.
2. “Quarantine” tells email servers to send emails that fail authentication to the spam folder.
3. “Reject” tells email servers not to deliver the unauthenticated email at all.

Adding Your DMARC Record to GoDaddy 🧑‍💻

Steps:

1. Log in to your GoDaddy account
2. Now, select your domain
3. Click on DNS to view your DNS records
4. Click on the Add button
5. Choose "TXT" from the Type menu
6. Enter your DMARC details
7. Make sure the Host field is set to ‘_dmarc’
8. Enter your DMARC record (use the example above adjusted for your email)
9. TTL should be left to the default setting
10. Now hit the save button

Verifying Your DMARC Record ✅

Let’s start with the bad news. ;-)

Your DMARC record isn’t going to be active right away.

It can take up to 48 hours before the record is propagated.

The good news?

It usually doesn’t take that long.

So, how do you know your DMARC record is working?

Use a DNS checker! Some services provide one.

lemwarm, for example, has the DNS Checks feature that checks your complete technical setup, not just DMARC.

Completing Your Technical Setup

Setting up your DMARC is a good step toward completing your technical setup.

However, additional measures are needed to further enhance email security and deliverability.

If you haven’t already, you should set up your MX, SPF, and DKIM records.

Additionally, you’ll want to set up a Custom Tracking Domain.

When using an Email Service Provider, they use their generic custom tracking domain in your emails. Using your tracking domain instead means fewer emails will land in spam.

And finally, if your email or sending domain is new, you must warm up your email first.

To do so, you need an email warm-up service that gradually increases sending volume and frequency and makes sure your emails get engagement.

Without warming up your email, more of your emails will land in spam.

An email warm-up service like lemwarm runs on autopilot and is designed to help you reach open rates of 65%.