In brief: SPF is a DNS rule listing servers authorised to send email for a given domain. The recipient evaluates it as one part of authentication; it does not protect the entire message by itself.
How I use SPF in practice
In practice I connect SPF with the customer’s specific situation. Content, timing and next step should change according to what the person did and what they can reasonably expect from the company. I first review the automation manually on a test contact, including the error branch and unsubscribing.
What to watch out for
A database is not property without limits. With SPF, unclear consent, old contacts, missing authentication and pressure on frequency are problems. More messages may lift turnover in the short term, but can also damage deliverability and trust, which recover slowly.
Questions for a decision
- Why should the recipient receive this message right now?
- Do we have a documented purpose and correct consent type?
- How will we verify delivery, response and business benefit?
- What happens on an error, unsubscribe or data change?