How to Set Up an SPF Record - Email Delivery

Set up an SPF Record for Floify

To ensure that emails sent from your domain via Floify are properly authenticated and not flagged as spam, you need to set up an SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record in your DNS settings. An SPF record tells the server what third-party organizations are authorized to send emails on behalf of the domain. 

Some additional reasons SPF records are important for domain owners:

• Enhanced Security: SPF records help prevent unauthorized emails from being sent on behalf of your domain, reducing the risk of phishing attacks, spam, and email spoofing.
  
  
• Improved Email Delivery: SPF records can help ensure that your emails are delivered to the intended recipients rather than being marked as spam or bounced. This is crucial for maintaining a good reputation and effective communication.
  
  
• DMARC Compliance: DMARC is a system that verifies the authenticity of emails. By setting up an SPF record, you're taking a step towards complying with DMARC, which can help protect your domain's reputation and ensure that only legitimate emails are delivered.

This guide will walk you through the steps to add an SPF record for Floify to your DNS host.

Example SPF Record Configuration

Step-by-Step Guide 

1. Log in to Your DNS Host Account:
   • Open your web browser and go to your DNS host's website.
   • Sign in using your account credentials. 
2. Access Your Domain Settings:
   • After logging in, navigate to the section where your domains are listed.
   • Select the domain for which you want to set up the SPF record. 
3. Navigate to DNS Management:
   • Find the option to manage DNS settings for the selected domain. This may be under "DNS Management," "DNS Settings," "Manage DNS," or similar. It could also be nested under "Settings".
4. Update an Existing TXT Record: 
   • Check for Existing SPF Records:
     • If your domain already has an SPF record, which is likely, it will look something like the following: v=spf1 mx a include:aspmx.googlemail.com ~all

     • This will be shown as a "TXT" record. If you already have an SPF record, you should not create a new one. Instead, update the existing record to include "include:spf.floify.com" like this: v=spf1 include:existingdomain.com include:spf.floify.com ~all

   • If you updated an existing record you can move on to step 7. If you don't see an existing SPF record, move on to step 5.
5. Add an New TXT Record. 
   • If you did not find an existing TXT record containing an SPF record, look for an option to add a new DNS record, often labeled "Add," "Create," or "New Record."
   • From the record type options, select "TXT" (Text).
6. Enter the SPF Record Details:
   • Name/Host: In most cases, you can leave this field blank or enter "@" to apply the record to the root domain. If you are setting this up for a subdomain, enter the subdomain here.

   • Create a TXT record in your DNS that looks like this:

      

     v=spf1 mx a include:spf.floify.com ~all

     Symbol	Meaning
     mx	Allow MX servers listed on this domain to send email for this domain
     a	Allow the root of this domain (the apex/naked domain) to send email for this domain
     ~all	Mail servers should accept email from this domain whether or not it matches the parameters in the SPF record

      

   • Value/Text:** Enter the following value exactly as shown:

     v=spf1 mx a include:spf.floify.com ~all

   • TTL: Set the TTL (Time To Live) to the default value or any value you prefer.
     • Note - If your DNS records are stable and unlikely to change often, a longer TTL can reduce the load on DNS servers and speed up DNS resolution for users.
7. Save the Record:
   • After entering the SPF record details, save your changes. The save option may be labeled as "Save," "Add Record," or "Submit."
8. Verify the Update:
   • DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully. You can verify that your SPF record has been added correctly by using online tools like:
     • MXToolbox SPF Lookup
     • Kitterman.com

Additional Tips:

By following these steps, you'll set up an SPF record for your domain, helping to ensure that emails sent from your domain via Floify are successfully authenticated and delivered.

• Consult Your DNS Host's Documentation: Each DNS host may have slightly different steps or terminology. Review their support documentation for specific instructions.
• Contact Support: If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, contact your DNS host's support team for help.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team at Floify.

Related Topics:

• If you haven't already, you'll want to reach out to support@floify.com and have them send you CNAME records for your domain. 
• If you're using GoDaddy you can find instructions for adding them here: How to Update CNAME Records in GoDaddy for Floify
• For other DNS Hosts you can use the following setup instructions as a guide: Update CNAME Records with DNS Host