How do I troubleshoot SPF validation errors in Pardot?

Key findings

• Error identification: A 550 SPF validation error indicates that the Sender Policy Framework (SPF) record for your sending domain is not correctly authorizing Pardot's servers to send email on your behalf.
• Pardot configuration: For default Pardot settings, SPF configurations are typically managed automatically by Salesforce, meaning such errors are unexpected unless custom setups or recent changes have occurred.
• Shared IP infrastructure: If you are on a shared IP with Pardot, a sudden SPF failure might indicate a backend change by Salesforce (e.g., new IP addresses) that wasn't properly reflected in the SPF record, though this is rare.
• Seed list testing impact: While testing with seed lists helps monitor deliverability, it's highly unlikely to *cause* an SPF record invalidation. Instead, it would expose pre-existing issues.

Key considerations

• Verify SPF record: The first step is to locate and inspect your domain's SPF record. Tools can help validate its syntax and ensure all authorized sending sources, including Pardot, are included. For more on this, see troubleshooting SPF validation failed messages.
• Pardot's sending domains: Ensure your Pardot sending domain (often a subdomain like pardot.yourdomain.com) is correctly set up within Pardot and that its associated DNS records include the necessary SPF mechanism for Salesforce. This is crucial for troubleshooting intermittent delivery failures.
• DNS lookup limit: Be mindful of the 10-DNS-lookup limit for SPF records. If you exceed this, your SPF will fail validation. This is a common cause of issues when troubleshooting SPF authentication issues with multiple ESPs.
• Contact support: If using default settings, reach out to Salesforce Pardot support. They can investigate if recent infrastructure changes on their end might be causing the issue.

Key opinions

• Unexpected failures: Many marketers express surprise when SPF errors appear while using default Pardot configurations, as Salesforce typically manages these settings.
• Bounce investigation: Marketers emphasize digging deeper into bounce reports and error messages, as a 550 SPF validation error might be one symptom of broader deliverability issues or an escalation of prior problems.
• Impact of testing: Automated seed list testing is seen as a valuable diagnostic tool that reveals existing issues rather than causing new ones, such as SPF invalidation.
• Vendor reliance: There's a common sentiment that the platform vendor (Salesforce/Pardot) should provide significant support for these types of authentication issues, especially when using shared infrastructure.

Key considerations

• Check Pardot's sync errors: Look for a sync error queue within Pardot settings to identify and fix any failed synchronizations that could impact data or email sending. For general troubleshooting, see troubleshooting Pardot emails.
• Review email headers: Examine the full email headers of a message that received an SPF error. This can provide explicit details on the SPF check outcome and the specific server that failed validation.
• Domain authentication setup: Verify that your sending domain is properly authenticated in Pardot, including both SPF and DKIM. This is part of ensuring good email deliverability in 2025.
• Monitor blocklists: Although SPF is about authentication, a sudden increase in block bounces (blocklist issues) might sometimes precede or coincide with authentication failures, indicating broader reputation problems. Our in-depth guide to email blocklists can help.

Key opinions

• Suppression rules: Experts highlight that Pardot's (and Marketing Cloud's) suppression and bounce processing rules can cause false positive warnings of non-delivery in inbox placement platforms like Everest, which might be mistaken for an SPF issue.
• Pardot's default handling: If default Pardot settings are used, SPF mechanisms should be automatically handled, making sudden SPF failures unusual unless an external factor or a platform-side change is involved.
• Infrastructure changes: A sudden SPF failure on shared IPs could indicate that Salesforce rolled out new IP addresses or made infrastructure changes without proper record updates, though this is considered a low probability event.
• Proactive testing: Using specific email testing tools can provide detailed reports, helping to diagnose SPF and other authentication issues, and guide changes to DNS records or Pardot configurations.

Key considerations

• Distinguish bounce types: Differentiate between bounces caused by suppression rules versus actual SPF validation failures. Suppression might explain missing emails without an SPF error.
• Custom configurations: If Pardot is not using default settings, or if you have a custom bounce domain or custom SPF, ensure these are configured precisely according to Salesforce's guidelines. This is key to troubleshooting and fixing SPF and DMARC settings.
• Engage Salesforce support: For persistent or sudden SPF errors with default settings, engaging Salesforce Pardot support is critical, as they can check their own infrastructure for misconfigurations or recent changes.
• Understand DMARC alignment: While SPF is an independent check, its failure often leads to DMARC alignment issues. Understanding how SPF, DKIM, and DMARC work together is essential for comprehensive deliverability.

Key findings

• SPF record purpose: An SPF record (a TXT record in DNS) lists all authorized servers permitted to send email on behalf of a domain. Recipient mail servers check this record to validate the sender.
• Pardot's SPF mechanism: For Pardot, the SPF record typically includes an include mechanism pointing to Salesforce's SPF, such as include:aspmx.pardot.com or include:_spf.salesforce.com.
• Validation failures: Common causes of SPF validation failures include missing the correct include mechanisms, exceeding the 10-DNS-lookup limit, or incorrect syntax in the SPF record.
• DMARC relationship: SPF authentication is a component of DMARC compliance. If SPF fails, and DKIM also fails or is misaligned, DMARC policies can instruct recipient servers to reject or quarantine emails.

Key considerations

• Implement correct SPF syntax: Ensure your SPF record starts with v=spf1 and ends with an all mechanism like ~all or -all. Pay particular attention to the full form of SPF.
• Adhere to DNS lookup limits: Consolidate your SPF record to avoid exceeding the 10-DNS-lookup limit. This often means carefully managing include mechanisms. A common issue is the hidden SPF DNS timeout with Microsoft.
• Review Salesforce documentation: Consult Salesforce's official documentation on email authentication for Pardot and Marketing Cloud to ensure your DNS records meet their most current requirements. This often includes specific instructions for implementing SPF and DKIM policies.
• Use an SPF record checker: Utilize online SPF record checkers to validate your record. These tools can identify syntax errors, too many lookups, and other common misconfigurations that lead to validation failures.