SpamAssassin rule
SPF_SOFTFAIL
SPF soft fail
+0.972 points
Header test
What SPF_SOFTFAIL means
The sending server is not in the SPF record of the envelope sender's domain, which ends in ~all.
The rule's description in SpamAssassin: “SPF: sender does not match SPF record (softfail)”
How to fix it
Add the sending service to your SPF record with its include: mechanism or ip4:/ip6: range. If you send through a newsletter tool, use its custom return-path (bounce domain) setup so SPF is checked against a domain that includes it.
Does your email trigger SPF_SOFTFAIL?
Send it to a free test address: we run SpamAssassin, check SPF, DKIM and DMARC and show every rule with a fix.
Open the email spam checkerRelated rules
ARC_INVALIDARC signature is invalid
DKIM_ADSP_ALLDomain says it signs all mail, but this message is unsigned
DKIM_ADSP_DISCARDDomain asks to discard unsigned mail
DKIM_ADSP_NXDOMAINFrom domain does not exist
DKIM_INVALIDDKIM signature is invalid
DKIM_SIGNEDMessage is DKIM-signed
DKIM_VALIDValid DKIM signature
DKIM_VALID_AUDKIM signature from your own domain
DKIM_VALID_EFDKIM signature from the envelope sender's domain
Frequently asked questions
What does SPF_SOFTFAIL mean?
The sending server is not in the SPF record of the envelope sender's domain, which ends in ~all.
How do I fix SPF_SOFTFAIL?
Add the sending service to your SPF record with its include: mechanism or ip4:/ip6: range. If you send through a newsletter tool, use its custom return-path (bounce domain) setup so SPF is checked against a domain that includes it.
How many points does SPF_SOFTFAIL add?
0.972 points in the default SpamAssassin ruleset (network tests on, Bayes off). A message is treated as spam from 5.0 points. Mail servers can change scores locally.