What is an SPF Record?
**Sender Policy Framework (SPF)** is an email authentication method that helps prevent spammers from sending messages on behalf of your domain. It lists the IP addresses and domains that are authorized to send email for you.
Why use it?
- • Increases Email Deliverability (Inbox placement).
- • Protects your domain reputation.
- • Prevents phishing attacks using your domain name.
Common Mistakes
- • Multiple SPF records (Only 1 allowed!).
- • Too many lookups (Limit is 10 DNS lookups).
- • Syntax errors (Missing spaces, wrong delimiters).
How to read an SPF Record
A typical record looks like v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all.
v=spf1: Identifies the TXT record as an SPF record.include:domain.com: Trusts another domain (like Google or Mailchimp) to send email for you.ip4:1.2.3.4: Explicitly allows an IP address.~all(SoftFail) or-all(HardFail): Specifies what to do with unauthorized emails.