How to add an SPF record

How to add an SPF record

Do you have an SPF record? Check here:

An SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record is an email validation system designed to prevent email spoofing by specifying which mail servers are permitted to send email on behalf of your domain. Implemented as a TXT record in a domain's DNS settings, it helps to verify that incoming mail from a domain comes from an IP address authorized by that domain's administrators. This mechanism is intended to increase the accuracy of spam filtering by distinguishing legitimate mail from spam when email addresses are forged.

Why is an SPF Record Important?

1. Prevents Email Spoofing: SPF allows email recipients to check that mail from a domain is sent by a host authorized by that domain's administrators, thus helping to prevent email spoofing where attackers send emails with forged sender addresses.

2. Reduces Spam: By making it harder for spammers to send email that looks like it comes from your domain, SPF reduces the amount of spam purportedly sent from your domain, protecting your domain's reputation.

3. Improves Email Deliverability: Email servers that perform SPF checks use the results as part of their spam filtering criteria. An SPF record for your domain can help ensure that legitimate emails you send are not incorrectly marked as spam.

4. Protects Brand Reputation: By preventing unauthorized use of your domain in email headers, SPF helps protect your brand from being associated with malicious activity, thereby preserving your reputation among users and clients.

5. Compliance: For some organizations, implementing SPF can be a part of meeting compliance requirements related to cybersecurity and data protection.

Generate your SPF record here:

How to Add an SPF Record

How to add an SPF record involves several key steps:

1. Identify Outgoing Mail Servers: List all the IP addresses and domain names of the servers that send email for your domain. This includes your own mail servers and any third-party services you use (like email marketing platforms).

2. Create the SPF Record: An SPF record is created in a specific syntax that identifies the allowed senders for your domain. A basic SPF record looks like this: v=spf1 ip4:192.168.0.1 include:thirdpartyservice.com ~all, where:

• v=spf1 specifies the version of SPF used.

• ip4:192.168.0.1 allows an IP address to send emails from your domain.

• include:thirdpartyservice.com allows a third-party service to send emails on behalf of your domain.

• ~all specifies a soft fail for mechanisms not listed (alternative endings include -all for a hard fail and ?all for neutral, meaning no policy).

1. Publish the SPF Record in Your DNS: Add the SPF record as a TXT entry in your domain's DNS settings. The host name should be set to @ or your domain name, indicating that this SPF record applies to the entire domain.

2. Test the SPF Record: After publishing, use online SPF validation tools to test your SPF record and ensure it's correctly set up. This will help you catch any syntax errors or oversight in the configuration.

3. Monitor and Update as Needed: Regularly review and update your SPF record to reflect changes in your email sending practices or if you start using new email services. Keeping your SPF record accurate is crucial for maintaining its effectiveness.

Check your SPF record here:

It's important to carefully manage your SPF record, especially if you use multiple services to send emails, as there's a limit to the number of DNS lookups that email services will perform for SPF checks. Exceeding this limit can cause SPF checks to fail, potentially affecting email deliverability.