Improve your email deliverability, prevent spoofing, and secure your domain in just a few simple steps.

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🔍 What Is an SPF Record?

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a DNS TXT record that tells mail servers which IP addresses or hostnames are allowed to send email on behalf of your domain.

Without SPF, your domain can be easily spoofed, leading to email scams, phishing, and poor inbox placement.

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🛡️ Why Is SPF Important?

• 🚫 Prevents spammers from sending forged emails using your domain
• 📥 Improves chances of your emails reaching the inbox (not spam)
• ✅ Required for setting up DMARC and DKIM
• 🧰 Vital for businesses using hosted email, SMTP, or email marketing tools

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🔧 How to Create an SPF Record (Step-by-Step)

1. Login to Your Domain DNS Settings

Use your registrar (like GoDaddy, Namecheap) or DNS provider (like Cloudflare or cPanel).

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2. Add a New TXT Record

Field	Value
Type	TXT
Name	@ (or your domain name)
TTL	3600
Value	v=spf1 a mx -all

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📘 SPF Record Examples

Purpose	SPF Record
Basic Email from same server	v=spf1 a mx -all
Allow Google Workspace	v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
Allow Zoho Mail	v=spf1 include:zoho.in ~all
Allow Outlook / Microsoft 365	v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all
Multiple senders (e.g., server + Google)	v=spf1 a mx include:_spf.google.com ~all

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❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Adding multiple SPF records – You should have only ONE SPF record per domain
• Using +all – This allows any server to send emails (defeats the purpose!)
• Exceeding 10 DNS lookups – Large includes can cause SPF failures

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🔎 Test Your SPF Record

Use tools like:

• MXToolbox SPF Checker
• AnytimeServer’s SPF Tester Tool

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📦 Bonus: Combine with DMARC and DKIM

SPF is most powerful when used with:

• DKIM: Digitally signs each email
• DMARC: Tells mailbox providers how to handle failed SPF/DKIM checks

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🧙 Need Help?

We at AnytimeServer.Support offer full DNS and email setup support.
Reach out to our experts for guided configuration or troubleshooting. 🧑‍💻

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