DMARC · INVALID_POLICY
Invalid DMARC policy (INVALID_POLICY)
Your DMARC record has a missing or invalid p= tag. Learn the three valid policies (none, quarantine, reject) and how to correct the record.
What it means
The DMARC record’s p= tag is missing or has a value other than none, quarantine or reject, or the record does not start with v=DMARC1.
Why it matters for sending
The policy tag is required. A record with an invalid policy may be ignored by receivers, so your domain behaves as if it had no DMARC at all.
How to fix it
- Make sure the record starts exactly with v=DMARC1; followed by p=.
- Use one of the three valid values: p=none (monitor), p=quarantine or p=reject.
- Separate tags with semicolons and check for typos in tag names.
- Re-run the DMARC checker.
Example record
_dmarc.example.com. TXT "v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com"Replace the values with your own domain and provider.
Sources
This page is based on public standards and provider documentation, reviewed on 2026-09-25.
Other DMARC errors
MailQV checks the domains of your connected mailboxes automatically.
When you connect a mailbox, MailQV checks SPF, DKIM, DMARC, MX and blocklist status and warns you before a campaign if something is wrong.
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