We received a message stating that we need to add a DMARC record for a domain, that already has a DMARC record setup for it. When using our normal validation tools, the DMARC record comes up fine. The message from Shopify mentions using Dmarcian.com to build a record, so I tried using it with the values from our existing DMARC record – we are using dmarcdigests.com for DMARC (reporting only at this time).
I noticed that Dmarcian does not allow the email address that we’re assigned from dmarcdigsts.com, and I suspect it’s because the email has a plus (+) in the username portion of the dmarcdigests.com email address, which should be valid. And I assume that’s why Shopify is not recognizing the record.
Here is what the actual dmarc record looks like for the domain…
It seems like you’re facing a couple of issues here: the use of an email address with a plus (+) in the DMARC record, which might not be accepted by Dmarcian’s validation tool, and Shopify not recognizing your DMARC record despite it being set up correctly.
The use of a plus (+) in email addresses is a common technique for email aliasing, and it should be perfectly valid in a DMARC record. However, not all systems and validation tools handle these addresses correctly, which seems to be the case with Dmarcian.
For Shopify not recognizing your DMARC record, it could be due to several reasons unrelated to the email address in the rua tag. It might be worth double-checking the following:
Propagation Time: DNS changes can take time to propagate. If you’ve recently updated your DMARC record, it might not be visible to all DNS servers yet.
DNS Caching: Shopify’s DNS resolver might have cached an older version of your DNS records. This cache usually expires in a few hours but can sometimes take longer.
DMARC Record Syntax: Ensure there are no typos or syntax errors in your DMARC record. Even a minor mistake can make the record invalid.
Shopify’s DMARC Validation Process: Shopify might have specific requirements or a more stringent validation process for DMARC records. It’s worth reaching out to Shopify support for more details on their requirements.
For the issue with Dmarcian not accepting the email address, you might consider the following workarounds:
Use an Alternative Email Address: If possible, use an alternative email address without a plus (+) for the rua tag temporarily to get past the validation step on Dmarcian.
Contact Dmarcian Support: Reach out to Dmarcian’s support team to report the issue with the plus (+) in the email address. They might offer a solution or update their validation process to accommodate such email addresses.
Use Another DMARC Record Generator: If Dmarcian continues to be problematic, you could use another DMARC record generator or manually create the record if you’re comfortable doing so.
If none of these steps resolve the issue with Shopify, contacting their support with specific details of the problem, including the DMARC record you’re using, might help clarify why they’re not recognizing the record. Additionally, they might offer specific advice or steps to ensure your DMARC record is recognized correctly in their system.