Summary
SPF Neutral signifies a failure to definitively validate the sender's authorization, often stemming from a missing or misconfigured SPF record, which declares the domain owner's uncertainty about the email's origin. Common causes include a broken SPF record, incorrect TXT record syntax, syntax errors (incorrect use of mechanisms, modifiers, terminators), exceeding the 10 DNS lookup limit, having multiple SPF records, and failing to include all authorized sending sources, including email service providers (ESPs). Resolution involves ensuring the record is correctly published in DNS, careful syntax validation, and collaboration with your ESP. Diagnostic tools like MXToolbox and DNSstuff are recommended.
Key findings
- SPF Neutral Definition: Indicates uncertainty about an email's authorized origin due to a missing or misconfigured SPF record.
- Key Culprits: Incorrect TXT syntax and syntax errors are prominent causes of SPF failures.
- Configuration oversights: Failing to include all sending sources, especially ESPs, contributes to SPF Neutral results.
- Limits Impact: Exceeding the 10 DNS lookup limit causes failures, with tools adding a significant amount of lookups.
- Record multiplicity: Only one SPF record should be present per domain.
Key considerations
- Collaborative Configuration: Work with your ESP to ensure accurate SPF record configuration.
- Diagnostic utility: Utilize online SPF record checking tools to validate record syntax.
- Publication Verification: Ensure that the SPF record is correctly published to your domain's DNS.
- The BOUNCE domain: Ensure you validate the bounce domain and not the email address domain in the record
What email marketers say
6 marketer opinions
SPF Neutral indicates that a receiving server cannot definitively verify if an email originated from an authorized source. This often stems from missing or misconfigured SPF records. Resolving SPF Neutral involves ensuring an SPF record exists with correct information for all sending sources, not exceeding the 10 DNS lookup limit, avoiding multiple SPF records, validating the SPF record syntax, and properly including your email service provider.
Key opinions
- Definition of Neutral: SPF Neutral signifies the receiving server couldn't confirm the email's origin.
- Common Causes: Typical causes include a missing or misconfigured SPF record.
- 10 Lookup Limit: Exceeding the 10 DNS lookup limit can cause SPF issues.
- Single SPF Record: Only one SPF record should exist per domain.
- Importance of Includes: Ensuring all sending sources are correctly included in the SPF record is critical.
- ESPs Inclusion: Email Service Providers (ESPs) must be correctly included in your SPF record.
Key considerations
- Validation Tools: Utilize online SPF record checking tools to validate syntax and configuration.
- Syntax Accuracy: Pay close attention to the syntax and format of the SPF record.
- Sender Collaboration: Collaborate with your ESP to ensure accurate SPF record configuration.
- Record validation: Ensure you validate the record after making changes.
Marketer view
Email marketer from StackExchange explains that SPF Neutral means that the receiving server did not find a definitive pass or fail result in the SPF record and often shows up with a '?all' at the end of the record. They recommend checking that you have configured all sending sources within the record and that the syntax is correct.
14 Feb 2025 - StackExchange
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailjet explains that SPF Neutral means the receiving server can't determine if the email originated from an authorized server. This can happen because there is no SPF record or because the SPF record is misconfigured. They suggest ensuring an SPF record exists, contains the correct information for all sending sources (including third-party senders), and doesn't exceed the lookup limit.
9 Aug 2023 - Mailjet
What the experts say
5 expert opinions
SPF Neutral signifies that an SPF check couldn't definitively validate an email's origin, often due to a '?all' in the record. Experts highlight the importance of ensuring the correct domain is being authenticated (SPF authenticates the bounce domain) and that Google's SPF record with 3 lookups might push you over the SPF lookup limit. Fixing broken SPF records involves verifying DNS publication, checking for syntax errors and missing includes. Tools like MXToolbox and DNSstuff are recommended for validation.
Key opinions
- SPF Neutral Meaning: SPF Neutral indicates the SPF check couldn't reach a definitive conclusion, often due to '?all'.
- Bounce Domain Authentication: SPF authenticates the bounce domain.
- Lookup Limit: Google's SPF record with 3 lookups can contribute to exceeding the SPF lookup limit.
- Common Issues: Syntax errors and missing includes are common causes of SPF problems.
Key considerations
- Record Validation: Use tools like MXToolbox and DNSstuff to check SPF records.
- DNS Publication: Ensure the SPF record is correctly published in DNS.
- Syntax and Includes: Carefully check the SPF record for syntax errors and missing includes.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource recommends using tools like MXToolbox or DNSstuff to check SPF records. They emphasize the importance of ensuring the SPF record is correctly published in DNS and that it doesn't contain any syntax errors.
22 Mar 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that issues with SPF are usually caused by syntax errors and missing includes. She emphasizes carefully checking the SPF record and ensuring that the includes and syntax are all correct.
5 Aug 2023 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
SPF Neutral means the domain owner isn't definitively asserting that the email came from an authorized source, often due to a missing or misconfigured SPF record. Documentation emphasizes adhering to specific syntax rules for SPF records; deviations lead to failures or neutral results. Common syntax errors involve incorrect use of mechanisms, modifiers, and terminators. Checking and correcting TXT record syntax is crucial to resolving SPF issues.
Key findings
- Definition of SPF Neutral: The domain owner is not asserting the email's authorized origin.
- Common Causes: Missing or misconfigured SPF record is a main cause.
- Syntax Importance: SPF records must adhere to a specific syntax.
- Syntax Errors: Incorrect use of mechanisms, modifiers, and terminators causes errors.
- TXT Record Syntax: Incorrect TXT record syntax is a common problem.
Key considerations
- Record Assessment: Check your SPF record for syntax errors.
- Source Inclusion: Ensure all authorized sending sources are included.
- Proper Syntax: Ensure adherence to proper SPF record syntax.
Technical article
Documentation from dmarcian explains that "neutral" means that the domain owner isn't asserting whether the IP address is authorized to send email. They suggest checking the SPF record for syntax errors and ensuring that all authorized sending sources are included.
26 May 2023 - dmarcian
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft explains that the most common cause of problems with SPF is incorrect TXT record syntax and they advise that you check your syntax carefully.
1 Apr 2022 - Microsoft
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