SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
A DNS record that specifies which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain.
What is SPF (Sender Policy Framework)?
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is one of the three essential email authentication protocols. It works by publishing a DNS TXT record that lists all the IP addresses and mail servers authorized to send email for your domain.
When a receiving mail server gets an email claiming to be from your domain, it checks your SPF record to verify the sending server is on the approved list. If the server isn't authorized, the email may be marked as spam or rejected entirely.
For cold email, SPF is non-negotiable. Without it, your emails are far more likely to land in spam folders because receiving servers can't verify you're a legitimate sender.
Why It Matters
- 1Required for email authentication - missing SPF is a major spam signal
- 2Prevents spammers from spoofing your domain
- 3Most email providers check SPF before accepting emails
- 4Improves deliverability when properly configured
How to Measure
Use a DNS lookup tool or our DNS Validation tool to check if your SPF record exists and is properly formatted.
Related Tools
Related Guides
Related Terms
Ready to Start Your Cold Email Campaign?
We handle the technical details - authentication, warmup, deliverability - so you can focus on writing emails that convert.