SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a protocol used to reduce email spam and prevent email spoofing. An SPF record defines which servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. Adding an SPF record increases the reliability of your email communication and improves the chances that recipient mail servers will accept your emails. This guide explains step-by-step how to add an SPF record.

Step 1: Create the SPF Record

Before creating the SPF record, determine which servers are allowed to send emails from your domain. These might include your own server, your email service provider’s servers, or specific IP addresses. To create your SPF record, specify the IP addresses of the sending servers and your domain.

Step 2: Add the SPF Record in Your Hosting/Server Panel

To add an SPF record, you typically need to use the DNS management section of your hosting or server control panel. This panel manages the DNS (Domain Name System) records for your domain. Follow these steps to add the SPF record:

1.) Log in to your hosting or server provider’s control panel.

2.) Locate and select the DNS or Domains section.

3.) Create a "TXT" record to add the SPF record.

4.) Create and save your SPF record. You can use one of the following examples:

Example 1:

"v=spf1 a mx ip4:yourserverip ~all"

In this example, a and mx represent the servers authorized by the SPF record, ip4 specifies a particular IP address allowed to send email on behalf of your domain, and ~all means “soft fail” for all other servers not listed.

Example 2:

"v=spf1 a mx ip4:yourserverip include:example.com ~all"

Here, ip4 indicates a specific IP address allowed to send mail, while include:example.com means the SPF record from example.com is also included as authorized.

Step 3: Verify the SPF Record

After adding the SPF record, verify it using an SPF record testing tool. These tools check if your SPF record is correctly configured and show which servers are authorized to send email from your domain.

Once you add and verify your SPF record, the reliability of your email communication will improve, and your emails will be more likely to be accepted by recipients.

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