Summary
While ActiveCampaign manages SPF records for bounce processing, the value of setting up your own SPF record is nuanced. Custom SPF records might be redundant if ActiveCampaign uses its own domain for the 'MAIL FROM' address, but they offer more granular control, can be beneficial for DMARC alignment (especially when aligning the 'MAIL FROM' and 'From' domains), and improve domain reputation by preventing issues from shared ESP domains. Custom DKIM setup, with the DKIM domain matching the 'From' domain, is crucial for DMARC compliance. Setting up your own SPF becomes more relevant if you choose to handle authentication manually within ActiveCampaign's settings. Understanding ActiveCampaign's SPF delegation and the technical aspects of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is essential for optimal email deliverability and security. A custom SPF setup can create a more trustworthy sending record and ensure that emails land in the inbox rather than the spam folder.
Key findings
- SPF Management: ActiveCampaign manages SPF by default, but custom SPF offers control.
- DMARC Alignment: Custom SPF aids DMARC alignment if the MAIL FROM matches the From domain.
- DKIM Requirement: DKIM setup with matching From domain is essential for DMARC compliance.
- Reputation Control: Custom SPF enables direct control over domain reputation.
- Redundancy Risk: Custom SPF may be redundant if ActiveCampaign uses its own MAIL FROM.
- Authentication Option: Custom SPF is needed when manually handling authentication in ActiveCampaign.
Key considerations
- MAIL FROM: Check the MAIL FROM domain used by ActiveCampaign (yours or theirs).
- ActiveCampaign Settings: Review authentication settings in ActiveCampaign (managed or manual).
- DMARC Goals: Define the need for strict DMARC compliance and domain alignment.
- Technical Knowledge: Understand SPF, DKIM, and DMARC technical implications.
- SPF Delegation: Assess ActiveCampaign's SPF delegation and its effects on setup.
What email marketers say
9 marketer opinions
While ActiveCampaign manages SPF records by default, the value of setting up your own SPF record depends on your specific goals and technical configuration. Generally, if ActiveCampaign uses its own domain for the MAIL FROM address, your custom SPF record may not directly impact SPF authentication. However, it can still be beneficial for full DMARC alignment, controlling your domain's reputation, and providing a clearer sender identity. Custom DKIM setup, with the DKIM domain matching the 'From' domain, is crucial for DMARC compliance in such cases. Adding your own SPF record may also be necessary if you choose to handle authentication yourself within ActiveCampaign's settings. It gives control of your domain's reputation directly, preventing ActiveCampaign from using a shared domain that can affect deliverability if other users have poor sending practices.
Key opinions
- SPF Redundancy: Setting up a custom SPF record might be redundant if ActiveCampaign manages SPF using its own domain.
- DMARC Alignment: Custom SPF records may be beneficial or necessary for full DMARC alignment.
- DKIM Importance: Custom DKIM setup with the DKIM domain matching the 'From' domain is crucial for DMARC compliance.
- Domain Reputation: Adding a custom SPF record allows control over your domain's reputation, preventing issues from shared ESP domains.
- Authentication Control: Using a custom SPF record becomes necessary when handling authentication manually within ActiveCampaign.
Key considerations
- MAIL FROM Domain: Determine if ActiveCampaign uses your domain or its own for the MAIL FROM (Return-Path) address.
- ActiveCampaign Settings: Consider ActiveCampaign's advanced settings related to authentication and SPF management.
- DMARC Goals: Evaluate your DMARC compliance goals and whether you need full domain alignment.
- Technical Configuration: Ensure proper DKIM configuration with the DKIM domain aligned with the 'From' domain.
- ISP Requirements: Determine whether ISPs are requiring security records to validate identity.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailjet explains that most ESPs manage SPF records for subdomains which allows them to manage bounces and feedback loops effectively. Users may add a subdomain or dedicated sending domain in order to manage the SPF.
13 Aug 2021 - Mailjet
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that setting up an SPF record won't do anything unless the domain is used in the rfc5321.MAIL FROM and that ActiveCampaign likely uses one of their own domains for MAIL FROM to process bounces.
11 Oct 2024 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
While ActiveCampaign manages SPF, setting up a custom SPF record offers more granular control and can improve DMARC alignment, ultimately leading to more trustworthy records and improved deliverability. Understanding how ActiveCampaign handles SPF delegation is essential to optimize your email setup.
Key opinions
- Granular Control: Custom SPF records allow more granular control than relying solely on ActiveCampaign's managed SPF.
- DMARC Alignment: Custom SPF can be beneficial for achieving DMARC alignment.
- Trustworthy Record: A custom SPF setup can create a more trustworthy sending record.
- Improved Deliverability: Closer SPF alignment with your domain improves the likelihood of message delivery.
Key considerations
- SPF Delegation: Understand how ActiveCampaign handles SPF delegation.
- Email Setup Impact: Evaluate the impact of ActiveCampaign's SPF management on your overall email setup.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource responds that while ActiveCampaign manages SPF, setting up your own allows more granular control and can be beneficial for DMARC alignment. It is best to understand how ActiveCampaign handles SPF delegation and what impact it will have on your email setup.
14 Jul 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that the closer your SPF is aligned with your domain, the more likely your message is to be delivered. While ESPs generally handle this, having a custom setup can create a more trustworthy record.
17 Jul 2023 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
ActiveCampaign manages SPF by default, processing bounces and authenticating messages sent through their platform. Setting up your own SPF record is optional, but crucial for DMARC alignment if you want the 'MAIL FROM' (Return-Path) domain to match your 'From' domain. Without proper configuration, your SPF record might not be used for authentication, especially if ActiveCampaign uses its own domain for 'MAIL FROM'. For optimal email security, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records is recommended to prevent spoofing and improve deliverability.
Key findings
- AC Managed SPF: ActiveCampaign manages SPF by default for bounce processing.
- Optional Custom SPF: Setting up a custom SPF record is optional.
- DMARC Alignment: Custom SPF is necessary for DMARC alignment if you want matching 'MAIL FROM' and 'From' domains.
- SPF Authentication: Your SPF record might not be used if ActiveCampaign uses its domain for 'MAIL FROM'.
- Email Security: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are recommended to prevent spoofing and improve deliverability.
Key considerations
- MAIL FROM Domain: Determine whether ActiveCampaign uses your domain or its own for the 'MAIL FROM' address.
- DMARC Goals: Evaluate your DMARC compliance goals and the necessity of domain alignment.
- SPF Configuration: Configure your SPF record to be used effectively, considering ActiveCampaign's default management.
- Security Records: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to prevent email spoofing and improve deliverability.
Technical article
Documentation from ActiveCampaign Help Center explains that ActiveCampaign manages SPF by default to process bounces, meaning SPF will pass on all messages sent from them. Setting up an SPF record is optional but allows adding it to From Address Domain.
10 Jan 2025 - ActiveCampaign Help Center
Technical article
Documentation from DMARC.org explains that SPF alignment requires the domain in the 'MAIL FROM' (Return-Path) to match the 'From' domain. If ActiveCampaign uses a different domain, custom SPF records won't directly align, potentially affecting DMARC compliance if DKIM is not properly configured.
20 Sep 2024 - DMARC.org
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