<!-- Set Up a DMARC Record on IONOS — https://docs.warmerly.com/guides/dmarc/ionos -->

# Set Up a DMARC Record on IONOS

A **DMARC record** is a TXT record at `_dmarc.yourdomain.com` that tells inbox providers what to do with mail that fails SPF or DKIM, and where to send reports. This guide shows exactly where to add it in IONOS. For the background, read [What Are SPF & DMARC?](https://docs.warmerly.com/guides/spf-dmarc).

## What you'll need

- A mailbox address to receive DMARC reports, for example `dmarc@yourdomain.com`.
- SPF and DKIM already set up for your sending domain. See [SPF on IONOS](https://docs.warmerly.com/guides/spf/ionos) and [DKIM on IONOS](https://docs.warmerly.com/guides/dkim/ionos). DMARC checks them, so it is only useful once they pass.

## Step 1: Open your domain's DNS in IONOS

1. Go to [my.ionos.com](https://my.ionos.com) and sign in.
2. Find your domain, click the gear icon next to it, and choose **DNS**. If you don't see a gear, open **Domains & SSL**, click the domain, then its **DNS** tab.
3. You are now on the DNS settings page, where the domain's records are listed.

## Step 2: Add the DMARC TXT record

1. Click **Add Record** and choose **TXT** as the type.
2. In the **Host name** field: Enter `_dmarc` only. IONOS adds your domain to the end automatically, so typing `_dmarc.yourdomain.com` would create the wrong record.
3. In the **Value** field: Paste `v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:you@yourdomain.com`, using your own report address.
4. Leave **TTL** on its default.
5. Click **Save**.

| Field | What to enter |
| --- | --- |
| Type | `TXT` |
| Host name | `_dmarc` |
| Value | `v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:you@yourdomain.com` |

## Start with p=none, then tighten

`p=none` only watches and reports. It is the safe way to start because it cannot block any of your own mail. After a few weeks of clean reports, move to `p=quarantine` (send failures to spam) and later `p=reject` (block them). Jumping straight to `p=reject` risks blocking legitimate mail if an SPF include is missing.

## If you already have a DMARC record

A domain can only have **one** DMARC record. If IONOS already lists a TXT record at `_dmarc`, edit it instead of adding another.

## Step 3: Check DMARC in Warmerly

Warmerly rechecks your domain's DNS automatically. DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 24 to 48 hours to spread, so if the DMARC warning is still showing right after you save, check again later. You do not need a selector for DMARC, because it is one record at a fixed location.

## Still stuck?

Back to the main guide: [What Are SPF & DMARC?](https://docs.warmerly.com/guides/spf-dmarc). The same click-path in IONOS is used for [DKIM](https://docs.warmerly.com/guides/dkim/ionos). To see what is live right now, use the free [SPF checker](https://warmerly.com/spf-checker) or [DMARC checker](https://warmerly.com/dmarc-checker).