Setting up SPF (Sender Policy Framework) helps prevent others from sending unauthorized emails using your domain. It also improves the chances that your emails land in your recipients’ inboxes instead of their spam folders.
Why This Matters
📌 SPF protects your domain from being used in spam or phishing emails.
📌 It also improves email deliverability by authenticating who can send mail from your domain.
Before You Start
✅ Make sure you have access to your domain registrar or DNS hosting provider.
✅ Know whether you’re sending mail only via Google Workspace, or also through third-party email services.
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up SPF
Step 1: Create Your SPF TXT Record
- A TXT record defines the mail servers allowed to send emails from your domain.
- Each domain can only have one SPF TXT record, but it can list multiple mail servers.
Step 2: Choose the Right SPF Record Format
🟢 If you send all email through Google Workspace only:
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
🟠 If you also use other senders (e.g., Mailchimp, CRM tools):
- Create a custom SPF record including all sender domains.
- Example:
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:mail.zendesk.com ~all
Step 3: Log in to Your Domain Provider
- Sign into your domain host’s management console.
- Locate the section to manage DNS or TXT records.
- Add or update the SPF TXT record with the correct value.
Step 4: Save and Apply Changes
✅ Your SPF record is now live.
Changes may take a few minutes to a few hours to propagate.
Updating SPF for New Mail Servers
📌 Any time you start using a new email service, update your SPF TXT record to include the new sender.
📌 Failing to update can cause delivery issues or unauthorized senders spoofing your domain.
Resources
🎥 Watch the SPF Setup Tutorial on YouTube
📖 Google Workspace SPF Setup Guide
📖 Find Your Domain Host Instructions
Final Tips
✅ Use only one SPF TXT record per domain.
✅ Test your setup with tools like MXToolbox SPF Lookup.
✅ Keep your record updated when you change or add email providers.