How To Perform An SPF Record Check For

Better Email Deliverability

The ability for emails to be successfully delivered is essential for both businesses and individuals who depend on email as a means of communication. A vital aspect of guaranteeing that emails land in the recipient's inbox is the Sender Policy Framework (SPF). This framework plays a significant role in thwarting email spoofing and phishing attempts by confirming that a mail server has the right to send messages for a particular domain. Verifying your SPF record is important to ensure it’s properly configured, thereby avoiding issues like email rejections and being marked as spam. 


Understanding SPF Records


SPF, or Sender Policy Framework, is a method used to authenticate emails, allowing domain owners to define which mail servers are permitted to send messages on their behalf. This is set up through a TXT record within the Domain Name System (DNS). When an email is dispatched, the recipient's mail server examines the SPF record associated with the sender's domain to confirm if the sending server is legitimate. If the SPF validation does not pass, the email could be flagged as spam or completely rejected.


Why SPF Record Checks Are Important


Checking your SPF record is crucial for a number of important reasons:

  • Mitigates Email Spoofing: It guarantees that only approved servers are permitted to send emails from your domain, thereby lowering the chances of phishing attacks.

  • Boosts Email Deliverability: It increases the likelihood that your emails will land in the recipient’s inbox instead of being marked as spam.

  • Strengthens Domain Reputation: A well-set-up SPF record enhances the trustworthiness of your domain.

  • Minimizes Email Rejections: It prevents issues caused by incorrectly configured SPF records that could lead to email bounce-backs.


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Steps to Perform an SPF Record Check


1. Identify Your Domain’s SPF Record

To begin verifying SPF records, the initial task is to determine if your domain has an SPF record set up. This can be accomplished through various online services or by using command-line tools.

Online SPF Record Verification Tools:

Several online resources are available for checking your SPF record, including MXToolBox (https://mxtoolbox.com/SPF.aspx), the DMARC Analyzer's SPF Record Checker, and the Google Admin Toolbox (https://toolbox.googleapps.com/apps/checkmx/).

Command-Line Verification:

You can also check via the command line by opening a terminal (either Command Prompt on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and executing the command nslookup -type=TXT yourdomain.com. Look for an output entry that starts with v=spf1.


2. Analyze the SPF Record Format

Here’s the breakdown:

  • v=spf1: Signifies that this entry is an SPF record.

  • ip4:192.168.1.1: Identifies a permitted IPv4 address.

  • include:_spf.google.com: Grants permission for Google’s mail servers to send emails on behalf of this domain.

  • all: Indicates that emails from any unverified sources should be rejected.


3. Validate SPF Syntax and Policies

  • Duplicate SPF Records: Each domain must contain a single SPF record; having more than one will result in failure.

  • Too Lenient Policies: Employing +all can permit unapproved servers to send emails as if they were from your domain.

  • Surpassing the 10-DNS-Lookup Cap: SPF lookups should remain within the limit of 10, as exceeding this threshold can cause issues.


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4. Use SPF Record Testing Tools

A variety of resources are available to assist with the validation and troubleshooting of SPF records:

For checking the accuracy and compliance of your SPF record, consider utilizing tools such as the Kitterman SPF Validator (https://www.kitterman.com/spf/validate.html), MXToolBox SPF Checker, and DMARC Analyzer SPF Validator.


5. Update Your SPF Record If Needed

Access your domain registrar account, which could be GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Cloudflare, and go to the DNS configuration section. Find the area where you can modify or add a new TXT record for SPF, making sure it complies with recommended standards before finalizing the updates. After making these changes, please allow as much as 48 hours for the DNS updates to fully propagate. Reveal intricacies seamlessly with a single click.


Best Practices for SPF Records


  • Maintain Simplicity in SPF Records: Limit the use of includes to reduce the number of lookups required.

  • Prefer -all Over ~all When Feasible: The -all option enforces strict adherence to SPF policies, while ~all permits soft failures.

  • Consistently Audit and Refresh SPF Records: Modify SPF records as your email setup evolves.

  • Adopt DMARC and DKIM: To enhance authentication, utilize SPF in conjunction with DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance).