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Strict or Relaxed? — Decide between aspf and adkim modes for your domain and organization size. Generate Record →

What is DMARC strict vs. relaxed alignment?

  • Alignment mode is set using the aspf tag for SPF and the adkim tag for DKIM. The default for both is relaxed.
  • Strict represented as aspf equals s or adkim equals s requires exact domain matches.
  • Relaxed represented as aspf equals r or adkim equals r allows matches at the organizational domain level.
  • Relaxed is forgiving. Strict is rigid.
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