Summary
The overwhelming consensus from experts, documentation, and marketers is that you do *not* need to include Mailchimp's SPF record in your domain's SPF record if Mailchimp is handling the bounce address (Return-Path) and using their own sending domain (mcsv.net). Mailchimp's infrastructure automatically handles SPF authentication for the bounce domain. Including it can even be detrimental to your DMARC compliance. Focus instead on properly configuring DKIM for your sending domain to align with DMARC requirements and improve deliverability.
Key findings
- Mailchimp SPF Redundancy: It's redundant to include Mailchimp's SPF when they manage the bounce address with their domain.
- DKIM Importance: Proper DKIM setup is crucial for authentication and deliverability in this scenario.
- DMARC Complications: Including Mailchimp's SPF can cause DMARC failures due to SPF domain misalignment.
- SPF Purpose: SPF is primarily about authenticating the bounce address.
- Lookup Limits: Including unnecessary SPF records can exceed DNS lookup limits and cause deliverability issues.
Key considerations
- Verify Bounce Handling: Confirm that Mailchimp is properly configured to handle the bounce address with their own domain (mcsv.net).
- DKIM Configuration Check: Double-check that DKIM is properly configured for your sending domain and that it aligns with DMARC.
- Monitor DMARC Reports: Regularly monitor DMARC reports to identify authentication failures and deliverability problems.
- Stay Updated: Consult Mailchimp's documentation and resources for the most current best practices.
- Own Subdomain: The conclusion is different when you are using your own subdomain to handle bounces, at this point the SPF is relevant
What email marketers say
6 marketer opinions
The consensus is that if Mailchimp handles the bounce address (Return-Path) using their own domain (mcsv.net), it is generally unnecessary and even detrimental to include Mailchimp's SPF record in your domain's SPF record. Mailchimp's SPF will cover the bounce domain, and your focus should be on setting up DKIM correctly for your sending domain to ensure proper authentication and DMARC compliance.
Key opinions
- Unnecessary SPF Inclusion: Including Mailchimp's SPF record is unnecessary when Mailchimp manages the bounce address.
- DKIM Focus: Proper DKIM setup for your domain is more crucial for authentication and deliverability.
- DMARC Failure: Including Mailchimp's SPF can lead to DMARC failures due to SPF domain misalignment.
- Mailchimp's SPF Handling: Mailchimp handles SPF authentication for the bounce domain when using their default setup.
Key considerations
- Bounce Handling Method: Confirm that Mailchimp is managing the bounce address with their domain (mcsv.net).
- DKIM Configuration: Ensure DKIM is properly configured for your sending domain to align with DMARC requirements.
- DMARC Policy: Monitor DMARC reports to ensure proper authentication and identify any deliverability issues.
- Own Subdomain for Bounces: If you decide to manage bounces with own subdomain, then its important to include the SPF records.
Marketer view
Email marketer from DMARCly shares that using Mailchimp's 'own' return-path (bounce) domain will result in your emails passing SPF, as Mailchimp configures SPF for that domain. In this scenario you don't need to add their SPF record to your domain.
17 Sep 2024 - DMARCly
Marketer view
Email marketer from StackOverflow explains that it's generally unnecessary to include Mailchimp's SPF if they are managing the bounce domain. Focusing on DKIM and ensuring it's properly set up is a better approach.
11 Aug 2023 - StackOverflow
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
The consensus among experts is that including Mailchimp's SPF record in your domain's SPF is generally unnecessary when Mailchimp handles the bounce address using their own domain. SPF authenticates the bounce address, and in this scenario, Mailchimp is responsible for that authentication. Adding multiple ESPs to a single SPF record can lead to bounce handling issues and is typically not required if the 5321.from address (bounce address) is unique to Mailchimp.
Key opinions
- Redundant SPF: Including Mailchimp's SPF is redundant if they handle the bounce address.
- Bounce Address Authentication: SPF's primary role is to authenticate the bounce address.
- ESP Uniqueness: For bulk mail, the 5321.from address should be unique to the ESP handling it.
- Simplified SPF Record: You don't need to include every ESP in your SPF record.
Key considerations
- Bounce Address Management: Verify that Mailchimp is indeed managing the bounce address with their own domain.
- SPF Record Length: Avoid exceeding the SPF lookup limit by removing unnecessary includes.
- Deliverability Impact: Removing unnecessary SPF includes can improve deliverability.
- ESP Documentation: Consult your ESP's documentation for specific SPF recommendations.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that if Mailchimp is handling the bounce address, using their domain, you typically do not need to include their SPF record in your own domain's SPF record.
29 Nov 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks clarifies that SPF is only about authenticating the bounce address, and you don't need to add every ESP you use to the SPF record for your corporate domain.
11 Mar 2025 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
According to documentation from Mailchimp, SparkPost, and Google Workspace Admin Help, it's generally unnecessary to include Mailchimp's SPF record in your domain's SPF record if Mailchimp is handling the bounce address (Return-Path) with their own sending domain. Mailchimp's infrastructure handles SPF authentication for the bounce domain, making your domain's SPF record less relevant for emails sent through Mailchimp in this configuration. DKIM authentication should also be configured.
Key findings
- Mailchimp Handles SPF: Mailchimp automatically handles SPF when using their sending domain for the return-path.
- Unnecessary Inclusion: Adding Mailchimp's SPF record to your domain is typically not needed when Mailchimp manages the bounce address.
- SPF for Sender Verification: SPF verifies the sender's domain, and Mailchimp's SPF covers the bounce domain in this scenario.
- DKIM Authentication: DKIM authentication should be configured.
Key considerations
- Mailchimp Configuration: Verify that Mailchimp is indeed configured to handle the bounce address with their domain.
- SPF Record Limit: Avoid exceeding the SPF lookup limit by omitting unnecessary includes.
- Sender Domain Relevance: Understand that your domain's SPF record is less relevant when Mailchimp is handling the bounce domain.
- Review Mailchimp Documentation: Consult Mailchimp's help documentation for the most up-to-date recommendations.
Technical article
Documentation from Mailchimp Help Center explains that Mailchimp handles SPF automatically by using their own sending domain for the return-path. Therefore, you do not need to add a Mailchimp SPF record to your domain's DNS records when authenticating with DKIM.
24 Oct 2023 - Mailchimp Help Center
Technical article
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help specifies that SPF is used to verify the sender's domain. If Mailchimp is handling the bounce address with their own domain, their SPF records will be used for that part of the process, and your domain's SPF record is less relevant for emails sent via Mailchimp.
30 May 2023 - Google Workspace Admin Help
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