Alignment checks whether the domain in From matches the domains authenticated by SPF and DKIM. Learn how alignment impacts DMARC pass/fail and deliverability.
Email alignment is the concept DMARC uses to decide whether an authenticated message truly matches the domain shown in the visible From address. A message can pass SPF or DKIM but still fail DMARC if the authenticated domain doesn’t align with the From domain.
SPF alignment compares the domain used in SPF evaluation (often tied to the Return-Path or envelope sender) to the From domain. DKIM alignment compares the d= domain in the DKIM signature to the From domain.
Alignment can be relaxed or strict depending on DMARC settings (aspf/adkim). Getting alignment right is one of the most common fixes when a domain has SPF/DKIM configured but DMARC still fails.