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Summary

Validating your SPF setup in Marketo involves a multi-faceted approach, combining technical verification with practical testing. Experts and documentation consistently emphasize the importance of ensuring your SPF record includes Marketo's sending IPs, which can be obtained from Marketo support, and that the SPF setup aligns with the From header. Online tools like MXToolbox, DMARC Analyzer, and SPF record lookup tools, as well as command-line tools like `dig`, are recommended for checking the syntax, content, and validity of the SPF record. Common errors to avoid include exceeding the 10 DNS lookup limit, having multiple SPF records, and incorrect syntax. The SPF record should start with `v=spf1`, end with a qualifier (e.g., `-all`, `~all`), and be published as a TXT record in your DNS settings. After publishing, allow up to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate, and send test emails to various email providers to examine headers for SPF pass/fail status. Properly validating ensures email deliverability and prevents spoofing, requiring regular checks, especially after infrastructure changes, and careful attention to authorized sending sources and correct syntax.

Key findings

  • Inclusion of Marketo IPs: SPF record must include Marketo's sending IPs.
  • Tool Utilization: Online tools (MXToolbox, DMARC Analyzer) and command-line tools (`dig`) are crucial for verification.
  • Record Syntax: SPF records must start with `v=spf1` and end with a qualifier.
  • TXT Record Type: SPF record must be published as a TXT record, not an obsolete SPF record.
  • DNS Propagation: Allow 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate before testing.
  • Testing Methods: Send test emails and examine email headers to verify SPF status.
  • Lookup Limit: Ensure SPF queries do not exceed the 10 DNS lookup limit.
  • Multiple Records: Avoid having multiple SPF records, as this is invalid.

Key considerations

  • Regular Checks: Perform regular checks, especially after making changes to your sending infrastructure.
  • Deliverability Impact: Proper SPF validation is vital for email deliverability and preventing spoofing.
  • Authorized Sources: Ensure the SPF record includes all authorized sending sources.
  • Syntax Accuracy: Maintain correct SPF record syntax to avoid authentication failures.
  • From Header Alignment: Validate that the SPF setup aligns with the From header for enhanced security.

What email marketers say

8 marketer opinions

Validating your SPF setup in Marketo involves several important steps and considerations. First, use online SPF record checker tools like MXToolbox or DMARC Analyzer or the `dig` command to verify the SPF record's syntax and content, ensuring it includes all necessary IPs for your email sending domains. Common errors to check for include exceeding the 10 DNS lookup limit and having multiple SPF records. Publishing your SPF record as a TXT record in your domain's DNS settings is crucial. It's also advised to send test emails to various email providers and examine the email headers to check if SPF passed. Allow up to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate before testing, and regularly check the setup, particularly after changes to your sending infrastructure. Properly validating the SPF setup is crucial for email deliverability and preventing spoofing.

Key opinions

  • Validation Tools: Online SPF record checkers (e.g., MXToolbox, DMARC Analyzer) and command-line tools (e.g., `dig`) can verify SPF record syntax and content.
  • Record Type: SPF records must be published as TXT records in DNS settings.
  • Test Emails: Sending test emails to various providers and examining headers confirms if SPF passes.
  • Propagation Delay: Allow up to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate before testing.
  • Common Errors: Common errors include exceeding the 10 DNS lookup limit and having multiple SPF records.

Key considerations

  • Regular Checks: Regularly check the SPF setup, especially after changes to sending infrastructure.
  • Deliverability Impact: Proper SPF validation is crucial for email deliverability and preventing spoofing.
  • IP Inclusion: Ensure the SPF record includes all necessary IPs for your email sending domains.
  • TXT Record: Always publish the SPF record as a TXT record rather than an obsolete SPF record type.

Marketer view

Email marketer from MailerCheck Blog advises to send test emails to different email providers (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) after setting up SPF in Marketo. Then, examine the email headers to see if SPF passed. You can typically view email headers by checking 'show original' or 'view source' options in your email client.

18 Aug 2021 - MailerCheck Blog

Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow user TechGuru shares the advice of using `dig` command-line tool (if on Linux/macOS) to query the DNS records directly. By running `dig txt yourdomain.com`, you can view the SPF record and confirm its syntax and content. Ensure the record includes all sending sources used by Marketo.

2 Jul 2023 - StackOverflow

What the experts say

5 expert opinions

Validating your SPF setup in Marketo involves confirming that the SPF record is valid and aligned with the From header, particularly focusing on the return path (envelope.eversource.com). Experts emphasize checking the SPF record to ensure it includes all legitimate sending sources and doesn't exceed the DNS lookup limit. They also highlight that the SPF record should start with `v=spf1` and end with a qualifier like `-all`, `~all`, or `?all`, and that the mechanisms within the record define authorized sending servers. Tools like DNS record viewers can be used to verify the content and validity of the SPF record.

Key opinions

  • Return Path Focus: SPF validation should prioritize the return path (e.g., envelope.eversource.com) of the email.
  • Record Format: SPF records must start with `v=spf1` and end with a qualifier (e.g., `-all`, `~all`).
  • Authorized Sources: The SPF record must include all legitimate sending sources.
  • Lookup Limit: The SPF record should not exceed the DNS lookup limit.
  • Validation Tools: DNS record viewers can be used to verify the SPF record's content and validity.

Key considerations

  • Alignment: Ensure the SPF setup is aligned with the From header.
  • Marketo Inclusion: The SPF record should properly include Marketo's sending infrastructure.
  • Valid Syntax: Ensure the SPF record's syntax is correct to avoid authentication failures.

Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise recommends using tools like his own DNS record viewer or similar online resources to check the validity and content of your SPF records. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring the record includes all legitimate sending sources and doesn't exceed the DNS lookup limit.

29 Jun 2023 - Word to the Wise

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks confirms that the test email is set up perfectly and to ignore any comments from Marketo, clarifying that the email setup is correct.

7 Dec 2022 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says

6 technical articles

Validating your SPF setup in Marketo involves several key steps, including ensuring your SPF record includes Marketo's sending IPs (obtainable from Marketo support) and using DNS lookup tools to confirm the record is published correctly. Online tools such as MXToolbox or SPF Record Check can verify if your SPF record is valid and properly configured. Testing is crucial after setup, with tools like SPF record lookup tools checking for syntax errors, multiple SPF records (which are invalid), and inclusion of all sending sources. Validation also includes verifying syntax, ensuring the DNS lookup limit is not exceeded (maximum 10 lookups), and confirming authorized sending sources. SPF records must start with `v=spf1` and include mechanisms like `include`, `a`, `mx`, `ip4`, and `ip6` to specify authorized sources, ending with a qualifier like `-all`, `~all`, or `+all`.

Key findings

  • Marketo IPs: Ensure your SPF record includes Marketo's sending IPs, obtainable from their support.
  • Online Tools: Tools like MXToolbox, SPF Record Check, and SPF record lookup tools are effective for validation.
  • Common Errors: Check for syntax errors and multiple SPF records, which are invalid.
  • DNS Lookup Limit: SPF DNS queries must not cause more than 10 DNS lookups.
  • Record Format: SPF records must start with `v=spf1` and end with a qualifier.

Key considerations

  • Regular Testing: Test your SPF record after setup and periodically thereafter.
  • Authorized Sources: Verify all authorized sending sources are included in the SPF record.
  • Syntax Verification: Ensure the SPF record syntax is correct to avoid authentication issues.
  • Comprehensive Analysis: Consider using tools like SPF Surveyor for a comprehensive analysis of your SPF setup.

Technical article

Documentation from Adobe Marketo Documentation explains that to validate your SPF record in Marketo, you should ensure your SPF record includes Marketo's sending IPs, which you can obtain from Marketo support. After updating your DNS record, use a DNS lookup tool to confirm the SPF record is published correctly.

7 Mar 2023 - Adobe Marketo Documentation

Technical article

Documentation from dmarcian explains that validating SPF involves checking the syntax of the SPF record, ensuring it doesn't exceed the 10 DNS lookup limit, and verifying that all authorized sending sources (including Marketo's IPs) are correctly included. They also advise using their SPF Surveyor tool for comprehensive analysis.

12 Jan 2025 - dmarcian

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