How to Set Up an SPF Record for Google Workspace

SPF records let email servers know you’re not a criminal sending fraudulent emails.

This keeps you in good standing with ESPs and helps boost open rates. 🚀

If you send email through Google Workspace, we’ll help you set up an SPF record quickly and easily.

What Is SPF? ⁉️

Sender Policy Framework is an email security protocol.

More specifically, it’s an authentication method that ensures emails are sent from authorized servers.

If emails come from unauthorized servers, there’s a higher chance that cybercriminals abuse the sending domain for horrible things like Phishing attacks.

SPF aims to prevent phishing attacks and stop scammers in their tracks.

With an SPF record, you can specify which servers (and services) can send emails through your domain.

While setting up an SPF is not mandatory, it’s highly recommended. The added layer of security builds trust with Internet Service Providers, increasing your chances of landing in the inbox.

How to Set Up an SPF Record for Google Workspace

Setting up an SPF record for Google Workspace involves adding a DNS record to your domain provider’s DNS settings.

You can find these settings in your domain provider’s account.

Popular domain providers are GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Cloudflare.

One inside your domain DNS records, check if there’s already an SPF record present.

Having multiple SPFs could lead to complications. Luckily, you can add all allowed servers to the same SPF record.

How?

Check this SPF record:

v=spf1 include:spf.protection.somesendingdomain.com -all

Now look at the second example and notice how we just added a server:

v=spf1 include:spf.protection.somesendingdomain.com  include:_spf.google.com -all

For any domain provider ⬇️

If you checked for an existing SPF record and didn’t find one, let’s set one up for you.

Below you’ll find a general list of steps that should work for most domain providers.

We have instructions for specific domain providers lower down the page.

1. Go back to your domain provider’s account
2. Navigate to DNS or DNS settings
3. Click on Add or Add record
4. Choose TXT as the type
5. In the name field, enter @
6. Put this in the following field: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
7. Click save

Adding a Google SPF record to Namecheap

1. Log in to Namecheap
2. Click on Domain list
3. Select your domain
4. Go to Advanced DNS
5. Create New record
6. Select TXT as the record’s Type
7. In Host, enter @
8. Copy and paste this SPF record in the value field: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
9. Click the checkmark to save your record

Setting Up a Google SPF record on GoDaddy

1. Log in to GoDaddy and go to your dashboard
2. Go to My products and find your domain
3. Click on DNS button
4. On the DNS management page, click on Add
5. Select TXT as the record’s Type
6. In the Name field, add @
7. Add this SPF record to the Value field: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
8. Save the record

Configuring a Google SPF Record on Cloudflare

1. Log in to Cloudflare
2. Select your domain on Cloudflare’s dashboard
3. Click on DNS
4. Create a new DNS record
5. Select TXT as the record’s Type
6. In the name field enter @
7. In the Value field, add this record: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
8. Click save

And here’s how to set up a Google SPF on Bluehost

1. Log in to Bluehost
2. Navigate to My domains
3. Select your domain
4. Click on DNS
5. Click on Add new record
6. Choose TXT as the record’s Type
7. In the Host or Name field, enter @
8. Copy and paste this record in the Value field: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
9. Save your record

Setting Up Your SPF Record - the Aftermath 🛡️

After initially setting up your SPF record, it can take up to 48 hours for it to propagate.

Usually, it’s much faster, and you can periodically check its validity using a DNS checker.

We offer two options:

1. Our free deliverability tester
2. The DNS Checks feature inside lemwarm

Both will check your complete technical setup.

You see, just setting up your SPF isn’t enough because it isn’t the only component of your technical setup.

Your technical setup consists of:

• SPF records ✅
• DKIM records
• DMARC records
• MX records
• Custom Tracking Domain

Finally, don’t forget to warm up your email!

Sending from a cold email sending domain will result in your email landing in spam.

Use a warm up service like lemwarm to gradually warm up your email and increase your chances of landing in the inbox.