To publish an SPF record, you will need access to your domain’s DNS control panel. If you are using a hosting provider, this process is fairly straightforward – just check their technical documentation. If you are unsure how to do this, you can contact support team or your domain administrator for assistance.
To learn how SPF works and why it is such an important security feature, read the article “What is SPF and how to configure it for a domain?”
Start by gathering a list of all domains you own, as you need to update or prepare a new, separate SPF record for each domain. Make sure you also include inactive (aka parked) domains that do not send emails, to also protect them from abuse and potential phishing.
Identify all services which send messages on behalf of your domain(s), including external tools. This includes:
IMPORTANT: If the SPF record does not include all services or servers sending mails on behalf of your domain, receiving servers may direct messages into spam. Remember to update your record after any change in IP or sending tool.
The SPF is expressed as a single string of text, published as a DNS TXT. It consists a list of values (usually IP addresses and domain names) and tags, i.e. various mechanisms and modifiers.
Each domain must have only one SPF record.
Remember, your new SPF record may require up to 48 hours to take effect.
For example: v=spf1 ip4:192.0.2.0 ip6:2001:db8: :cd30
! The given value is an example and does not point to specifics of EmailLabs servers.
For example: v=spf1 ip4:192.0.2.0 ip6:2001:db8: :cd30 include:domainname.com
To authorize EmailLabs to send emails on behalf of your domain, add the following entry to your SPF TXT record:
include:_spf.emaillabs.co
Receiving server checks whether an IP from which the message was sent is indicated in ip4/ip6 or whether it matches servers pointed by “include” mechanism.
Note: A single SPF record cannot have more than 255 character-string and should not contain more than 10 lookups to other domains or servers. Each parameter should be separated by a space.
// Instruction above presents only a basic overview of the mechanisms that an SPF record can be composed with. You may find records that also include ptr, exists or redirect mechanisms//
“All” mechanism (always matches) is placed at the end of the SPF record. It indicates what policy and how strictly it should be applied when the receiving server detects a sender that is not authorized in your SPF record.
The “all” mechanism can contain various qualifiers:
For example: v=spf1 ip4:192.0.2.0 ip6:2001:db8: :cd30 include:domainname.com ~all
Mechanisms listed after the “all” will be ignored, so remember to put it at the very end of the record.
In addition to SPF, we also recommend configuring DKIM and DMARC. The above authentication methods provide enhanced domain security and increase the likelihood of proper delivery of Emails to the recipient’s mailbox.
Email Deliverability Team Coordinator
Natalia abandoned her career as an experimental biologist for the digital universe and new technologies. She likes to know something about everything and everything about something. Breathlessly follows and describes news from the email world. Supports EmailLabs users in integrating, analyzing, and reporting deliverability. Helps to increase domain security with implemented DNS records and BIMI standard, moreover educates on good mailing practices.
See more articles
We are pleased to announce that MessageFlow, a product from the Vercom S.A. group, has received the prestigious CSA (Certified Senders Alliance) Certification. This recognition not only underscores the...
We are proud to announce that Vercom S.A., the company behind the EmailLabs project, successfully passed an audit for compliance with the latest ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO/IEC 27018:2019 standards....
The increasing number of phishing attacks each year, and the projection that this trend will continue to escalate, aren’t likely to astonish anyone. This can be attributed, in part,...
Out of all the things that can go wrong when sending out marketing emails, having your emails end up in the recipient’s spam folder is arguably the most dreaded...
Email Authentication, Security
DMARC is an email authentication protocol that is designed to give domain owners the ability to protect their domain from unauthorized use, commonly known as email spoofing. Spoofing occurs...
With the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, many brands have been challenged to adapt in a short period to the changed reality and new consumer attitudes. That meant reorganizing...
Deliverability, Sending Reputation
Are you just starting to send emails, transitioning to dedicated infrastructure, or switching your sending domain? Don’t overlook a key step – the warm-up process! Warming up an IP...
Best practices, Email Marketing
Email marketing is a powerful tool for businesses to connect with their audience, promote products, and drive conversions. However, simply sending out an email campaign is not enough to...
Deliverability, Sending Reputation
Are you just starting to send emails, transitioning to dedicated infrastructure, or switching your sending domain? Don’t overlook a key step – the warm-up process! Warming up an IP...
We are pleased to announce that MessageFlow, a product from the Vercom S.A. group, has received the prestigious CSA (Certified Senders Alliance) Certification. This recognition not only underscores the...
Best practices, Email Marketing
Email marketing is a powerful tool for businesses to connect with their audience, promote products, and drive conversions. However, simply sending out an email campaign is not enough to...
With the release of iOS 18 on September 16, 2024, Apple has introduced a long-anticipated update to Apple Mail: tabbed inboxes. While this feature isn’t a novelty – Gmail...
Gmail users may soon benefit from a game-changing feature called Shielded Email, designed to enhance privacy and combat spam. While the feature has not yet been officially launched, recent...
Are you frustrated with the constant struggle of your emails getting blocked by Gmail? Have you ever wondered about the reasons behind this issue and, more importantly, how to...
In the ever-evolving landscape of email management, Google has announced an exciting upgrade to Gmail’s summary cards, aimed at improving user experience and streamlining inbox navigation. The latest enhancements,...
Entering the world of email communication, you’ll encounter many terms that initially seem straightforward and intuitive. However, some of these can be pretty challenging. Accurately distinguishing between them is...
Attaching a folder to an email may seem complicated at first glance, especially if you’re trying to send multiple files or an entire project’s documents to a colleague or...
