In early 2024, Google and Yahoo rolled out new email rules to make our inboxes safer and less spammy. This especially affects people who send lots of emails.
Starting in February 2024, and fully enforced by June 2024, all email senders need to use SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. These tools help verify that emails are legitimate, reducing the chances of spam and phishing attacks. By following these rules, your emails are more likely to reach their intended recipients without getting marked as spam.
Steps to Comply with New Email Rules
Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the New Guidelines
- Who is affected: All email users, particularly bulk senders.
- Effective dates: Began in February 2024, fully enforced by June 2024.
Step 2: Authenticate Your Emails
- SPF Record: Ensure your email provider has an SPF record in place.
- DKIM Record: Check that your provider uses DKIM for email signing.
- DMARC Policy: Request your provider to implement DMARC.
Step 3: Secure Your Emails
- PTR Records: Verify that your provider has configured PTR records.
- TLS Encryption: Make sure your emails are sent with TLS encryption.
Step 4: Minimize Spam Complaints
- Avoid Spam: Personalize emails and regularly update your mailing list.
Step 5: Simplify Unsubscribe Options
- Unsubscribe Link: Include a one-click unsubscribe link in your emails (needed for mailing lists).
Step 6: Ensure Proper Message Formatting
- Message Standards: Follow the Internet Message Format (IMF) standards.
Understanding the Internet Message Format
The Internet Message Format (IMF) specified in RFC 5322, outlines the structure for email messages, including headers (From, To, Subject, Date, Message-ID) and the body content, ensuring compatibility across email systems and improving deliverability.
Fixing Your Email Issues
To resolve email delivery issues and meet the new Google and Yahoo requirements, follow these steps:
Authenticate Your Emails:
- SPF Record: Ensure your SPF record is set up.
- DKIM Record: Check that DKIM is used for email signing.
- DMARC Policy: Implement DMARC.
Secure Your Emails:
- PTR Records: Confirm PTR records are configured.
- TLS Encryption: Use TLS for email transmission.
Minimize Spam Complaints:
- Personalize Emails: Regularly clean your mailing list.
- Unsubscribe Link: Include a one-click unsubscribe link.
Format Correctly:
- Internet Message Format: Ensure emails comply with standards.
You can make these changes in the Zone Editor in cPanel.
Using Google (Gmail):
FIRST: Set Up SPF
- Go to your domain’s DNS settings.
- Add a TXT record with the SPF information provided by Google.
(v=spf1 +a +mx +ip4:122.252.14.219 +ip4:122.252.14.221 include:_spf.google.com ~all)
SECOND: Enable DKIM
- Access your Google Admin console.
- Navigate to “Apps” > “Google Workspace” > “Gmail” > “Authenticate Email.”
- Generate a DKIM key and add the provided DNS record.
THIRD: Implement DMARC
- Add a TXT record in your DNS settings with the DMARC policy.
- (“_dmarc.yourdomain.com.au” – then: “v=DMARC1;p=none;”)
Using Yahoo: Its Really No Different!
- Configure SPF:
- Edit your domain’s DNS records to include Yahoo’s SPF details.
(v=spf1 +a +mx +ip4:122.252.14.219 +ip4:122.252.14.221 include:_spf.mail.yahoo.com ~all)
- Edit your domain’s DNS records to include Yahoo’s SPF details.
- Set Up DKIM:
- Use Yahoo’s DKIM wizard to generate a key.
- Add the key to your DNS records.
- Apply DMARC:
- Add a DMARC TXT record to your DNS settings.
- Edit your domain’s DNS records to include Yahoo’s SPF details.
- (“_dmarc.yourdomain.com.au” – then: “v=DMARC1;p=none;”)