Learn · email signature glossary
TL;DR
DMARC is an email authentication policy published as a DNS TXT record at _dmarc.yourdomain.com. It builds on SPF and DKIM by adding two things they lack: a policy and feedback. The policy (p=none, p=quarantine, or p=reject) tells receiving servers what to do with messages that fail authentication and do not align with the visible From address. The reporting part (the rua tag) tells receivers where to send aggregate reports, so you can see who is sending mail as your domain, legitimate or not.
Re: In practice
DMARC is what actually stops someone from putting your domain in the From line of a phishing email. SPF and DKIM alone verify technical details most recipients never see; DMARC ties those checks to the From address people actually read, and instructs receivers to junk or reject forgeries. It also affects whether your own mail gets delivered: Google and Yahoo now require a DMARC record from bulk senders, and domains without one are treated with more suspicion generally. The standard rollout is to start at p=none to collect reports, fix any legitimate senders that fail (marketing platforms, CRMs, helpdesk tools), then move to quarantine and finally reject. A signature only builds trust if the message carrying it demonstrably came from you.
Fwd: Worth a look
BIMI
BIMI is a DNS-based standard that displays your verified logo next to messages in the inbox. Learn its requirements, including DMARC and a VMC.
DKIM
DKIM adds a cryptographic signature to outgoing email that receivers verify against a public key in your DNS, proving the message was not altered.
MIME
MIME is the internet standard that lets email carry HTML, attachments, and non-ASCII text. It is why HTML signatures can exist at all.
SPF record
SPF is a DNS TXT record listing the servers allowed to send email for your domain. Learn how receiving servers use it and what its limits are.
email signature CTA
A signature CTA is a call to action, like a booking link or banner, placed in your email signature to turn everyday messages into conversions.
dark mode email signature
Dark mode inverts email backgrounds and can make logos and text in signatures unreadable. Learn what changes and how to design around it.
Free generator, no account required. Works in Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail.
Try Free Generator