SPF Record
An SPF record (Sender Policy Framework) is a DNS TXT record that lists the servers and IP addresses allowed to send email using a domain in the envelope sender address.
Also called: SPF, Sender Policy Framework, SPF TXT record
Why it matters
When a message arrives, the receiving server reads the domain in the envelope sender (often called the Return-Path), fetches that domain's SPF record and checks whether the sending IP is authorized. The result, such as pass, fail or softfail, feeds into its filtering decision. A record starts with v=spf1 and usually ends with a rule such as ~all or -all for every other sender.
For cold email, every service that sends from a domain (a mailbox provider, a sequencer, a CRM) must be covered by that domain's SPF record. The specification caps evaluation at ten DNS lookups, so stacking too many includes can break the record. SPF checks only the envelope sender, not the visible From address, which is why DMARC adds alignment and DKIM adds a cryptographic signature.
Example
A startup sends email from Google Workspace and also uses a separate platform for newsletters. Its SPF record reads v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:mail.newsletter-tool.example ~all. A message sent through either service passes the check. A message sent from an unknown server gets a softfail result, which tells the receiving server to treat it with suspicion.
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