SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
A shield against spam and an ally of corporate email
If you’re a marketing professional or run a company, you’ve probably come across the term SPF on more than one occasion.
But what exactly is SPF and why is it so important, especially in the area of corporate email?
In this glossary entry, we’ll explore the Sender Policy Framework, or SPF, from its foundations to its relevance in email strategies.
What is SPF?
SPF, translated as “Sender Policy Framework”, is a security protocol designed to prevent emails from being sent from unauthorized servers.
It acts as a kind of barrier that authenticates the servers from which emails can be sent on behalf of a specific domain.
In other words, it helps prevent email fraud and spam.
How does this system work?
When you send an email, the destination server checks whether the sending server is authorized to send emails on behalf of that domain.
To do this, the destination server compares the sender’s IP address with a list of authorized IP addresses found in the domain’s SPF record.
If the IP address is on the list, the email will be considered legitimate and delivered to the recipient’s inbox.
Importance for corporate emails
This is where SPF becomes a crucial element for corporate emails.
Imagine that you work for a company and need to send newsletters, updates and special offers by email to customers.
If these emails are marked as spam or don’t reach their destination, you’re missing out on a valuable opportunity to connect with your audience.
What’s more, your reputation as a company could be seriously affected.
Setting up SPF correctly ensures that your emails reach their intended recipients and are received as legitimate emails.
Setting up SPF
Setting up SPF for your domain is a process that requires access to your website’s DNS records.
In the DNS manager, you must add a new TXT record containing information about the IP addresses authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain.
Although it may seem complicated, many tools and services, such as Mailrelay, offer guides and support for setting up your SPF correctly and efficiently.
Compatibility with other security techniques
SPF doesn’t work on its own.
This configuration is often used in combination with other security techniques.
Such as DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance), to provide an additional layer of security and authentication.
Why Mailrelay?
Mailrelay is an email marketing platform that offers not only the largest free account on the market, but also unrivaled technical support.
By using Mailrelay for your corporate email strategies, you’ll benefit from an optimized SPF configuration, which ensures that your campaigns reach their destination and are effective.
And if that’s not enough, we also offer bulk SMS services that ideally complement your email strategies.
Conclusion
The Sender Policy Framework or SPF is more than just a security technique.
It is a fundamental pillar of any self-respecting corporate email strategy.
By authenticating the servers through which emails are sent, it helps prevent spam and ensures that your messages reach their destination, keeping your company’s reputation intact.
With the help of specialized platforms such as Mailrelay, setting up and managing SPF becomes a simple but powerful process to strengthen your email marketing strategies.