Office 365 SPF Record: A Step-by-Step Guide

Office 365 SPF record setup with computer, notebook, and pen.

Is there anything more frustrating than your emails landing in spam? Or worse, getting rejected entirely? If you use Office 365, the problem often comes down to a weak or missing Office 365 SPF record. Think of it as your email's official passport—it proves to receiving servers that you are who you say you are. Without it, your messages look suspicious, hurting your sender reputation and deliverability. This guide will walk you through exactly how to set one up correctly, so you can stop worrying about the spam folder and make sure your emails always reach their destination.

Key Takeaways

A strong SPF setup improves email deliverability: Think of your SPF record as a passport for your emails. It verifies your emails are legitimate, increasing the likelihood they'll reach the inbox and not get flagged as spam.
Regularly check and update your SPF record: Just like any important system, your SPF record needs regular maintenance. Use online tools to validate your configuration and ensure everything is working as expected. Update your record whenever you change email providers or add new sending services.
Combine SPF with DKIM and DMARC for comprehensive email security: SPF is a great start, but combining it with DKIM and DMARC provides a robust defense against spoofing and phishing. These three protocols work together to verify your emails, protect your domain reputation, and ensure your messages reach their intended recipients.

Why Your Office 365 Needs an SPF Record

For businesses using Office 365, a strong email strategy is crucial. But what happens when your emails aren't reaching your recipients' inboxes? Or worse, what if someone's impersonating your domain, sending spam or phishing emails? This is where SPF records become essential. They act like a gatekeeper for your email, verifying that messages genuinely originate from you. This protects your reputation and ensures your important communications reach their intended destination.

First Things First: What is SPF?

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a simple yet powerful email authentication method. It's essentially a whitelist for your email servers. It tells the world which mail servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. This information is publicly available through a DNS record, allowing receiving mail servers to quickly check if an incoming email claiming to be from your domain is legitimate. This check helps prevent spammers from forging your domain and sending phony emails. You can learn more about setting up SPF for Office 365 on Lemwarm's blog.

How SPF Protects Your Emails from Scammers

SPF plays a vital role in preventing email spoofing, a common tactic used in phishing attacks. By verifying the sender's legitimacy, SPF adds a layer of protection against fraudulent emails appearing to come from your domain. This safeguards your brand's reputation and builds trust with your customers. Microsoft Learn offers a helpful guide on how to set up SPF for your Microsoft 365 domain to enhance your email security. While SPF is a great first step, combining it with other authentication methods like DKIM and DMARC provides more robust protection against email fraud. Think of it as a multi-layered security system for your email.

How to Set Up Your Office 365 SPF Record

Setting up an SPF record for Office 365 is straightforward and significantly improves your email deliverability and security. This process involves adding a simple TXT record to your domain's DNS settings. This section provides a step-by-step guide and explanation of the syntax.

Step 0: Verify Your Domain with Microsoft 365

Before you can even touch your SPF record, you need to verify your domain with Microsoft 365. This is a crucial first step that proves you own the domain you want to send emails from. Think of it as showing your ID before you get the keys to your new apartment. This verification process is essential for maintaining the integrity of your email communications and preventing anyone from using your domain without authorization. It’s the foundation upon which all your other email security settings, including SPF, will be built.

To verify your domain, you'll need to add a specific TXT record to your domain's DNS settings. Microsoft 365 provides a unique code that you'll use as the value for this record. Once you've added it, Microsoft will check for its presence to confirm your ownership. As Microsoft's official guide explains, you'll need to add DNS records to connect your domain using the value from the admin center. By completing this step, you secure your domain and lay the groundwork for a successful email authentication strategy, ensuring your emails are delivered reliably and your sender reputation remains intact.

Your Step-by-Step SPF Setup Guide

Access your DNS settings: Log in to your domain registrar's website (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Cloudflare). Find your DNS management area. The exact location varies depending on the provider, but it's usually labeled as "DNS Management," "Zone Editor," or similar.
Add a TXT record: Look for an option to add a new record, specifically a TXT record. This is where you'll input the SPF information.
Input the SPF value: If you don't already have an SPF record for your domain, create a new TXT record with the following value: v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all. If you do have an existing SPF record, simply add include:spf.protection.outlook.com to it. We'll explain what this means in the next section.
Save changes: Once you've added or modified the TXT record, save your changes. DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to propagate across the internet.

Finding Your DNS Values in the Admin Center

If you're unsure what to input for your SPF record, don't worry—Microsoft gives you the exact values you need. To find them, log in to your Microsoft 365 Admin Center and go to the 'Domains' section. From there, select the domain you want to configure. Microsoft will display the specific DNS records you need to add, including the correct SPF value. You'll want to copy the information provided for the TXT record, which will typically be v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all. Using the exact values from the admin center is essential for proper email authentication. As Microsoft's documentation explains, this simple step helps ensure your emails land in the inbox and protects your sender reputation from spoofing attacks.

Understanding SPF Record Syntax

Let's break down the SPF record syntax:

v=spf1: This tag indicates the version of SPF being used. It's the foundation of every SPF record.
include:spf.protection.outlook.com: This part specifies that Microsoft's servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. It's the core element of your Office 365 SPF record.
-all: This is the enforcement rule. The -all setting instructs mail servers to reject any emails sent from unauthorized sources. You can also use ~all (soft fail), which typically results in emails being marked as spam instead of being outright rejected.

Enforcement Rules: Hard Fail, Soft Fail, and Neutral

The final part of your SPF record, the `all` tag, is your enforcement rule. It tells receiving mail servers how to handle emails that fail the SPF check. Think of it as giving instructions to the bouncer at a club. The most common options are Hard Fail (`-all`), Soft Fail (`~all`), and Neutral (`?all`). For Microsoft 365, the recommended setting is a Hard Fail. This tells servers to outright reject any email that doesn't come from an authorized IP address, offering the strongest protection against spoofing. A Soft Fail is a bit more lenient, suggesting the email is suspicious but allowing it to be delivered, often to the spam folder. Neutral is typically used for testing and doesn't enforce any rules.

Setting the Right TTL (Time to Live)

When you create or update your SPF record, you'll also need to set its TTL, or Time to Live. This value, measured in seconds, tells DNS servers how long to cache the information before checking for a new version. It's important to get this right. Microsoft recommends setting the TTL for your SPF record to at least 3600 seconds, which is one hour. Setting a proper TTL ensures that any changes you make to your record propagate across the internet efficiently. If the TTL is too short, it can create unnecessary DNS lookups; if it's too long, updates will take a while to take effect, which could cause deliverability problems if you add a new sending service.

Values for Different Microsoft Cloud Environments

While the standard SPF value works for most Office 365 users, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Microsoft operates different cloud environments for specific needs, such as government or international regions, and each requires a unique SPF value. If your organization uses one of these, you'll need to use the correct `include` statement to authorize the right servers. For example, the standard value is `include:spf.protection.outlook.com`. However, if you're on the Government Community Cloud (GCC) High, you'd use `include:spf.protection.office365.us`. For users of the service operated by 21Vianet in China, the correct value is `include:spf.protection.partner.outlook.cn`. Always double-check which environment you're in to ensure your SPF record is configured correctly.

Is Your SPF Record Working? Here's How to Check

After setting up your SPF record, it's crucial to verify it's working correctly. You can use an SPF record lookup tool to check your configuration. These tools simulate how a receiving mail server would interpret your SPF record. A correctly configured SPF record significantly improves your email deliverability and protects your domain's reputation by preventing unauthorized senders from spoofing your domain. Regularly testing your SPF record is a good security practice, especially after making any changes to your email infrastructure.

Using Online Lookup Tools

The quickest and most straightforward way to check your SPF record is with an online lookup tool. There are many free options available, like MXToolbox or Dmarcian, that do the heavy lifting for you. Simply enter your domain name, and the tool will retrieve and analyze your SPF record. It's a good idea to validate your configuration to make sure everything is working as expected. The results will show you the exact SPF record published in your DNS and will often highlight any syntax errors or potential issues. You're looking for a clear "pass" or a valid status, confirming that receiving mail servers can correctly interpret your policy and that your outreach efforts won't be hindered by technical errors.

Using the nslookup Command

If you're comfortable with a more hands-on approach, you can use the command line on your computer. On a Windows machine, open the Command Prompt and type nslookup -type=txt yourdomain.com, replacing yourdomain.com with your actual domain. Mac and Linux users can open the Terminal and use the same command. When you press Enter, it will query the DNS for your domain's TXT records. The output should display your SPF record, starting with v=spf1. This method gives you a direct look at what mail servers see when they check your domain, without any third-party interpretation, which is perfect for troubleshooting.

Sending a Test Email

After using a lookup tool, you should also send a test email to confirm everything works in a real-world scenario. Send a message from your Office 365 account to a personal email address you have with a major provider like Gmail or Outlook. Once the email arrives, find the option to view the original message or its headers. In Gmail, this is under the "Show original" option. Scan the email headers for an "SPF" entry. You're looking for a SPF: PASS result, which confirms that the receiving server successfully authenticated your email using your SPF record. This final check ensures your emails are being processed correctly when you send them.

Common SPF Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Setting up SPF records is usually straightforward, but a few common mistakes can trip you up. Let's break down these pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Are You Hitting the DNS Lookup Limit?

One crucial rule: only one SPF record is permitted per domain or subdomain. Having multiple SPF records creates confusion for mail servers, leading to email delivery problems. They simply won't know which record to trust. Another issue arises from DNS lookup limits. During SPF verification, the receiving server performs DNS lookups to check the authorized senders. If these lookups exceed 10, the SPF check will fail, and your emails might get rejected. Keep your SPF record concise and combine all authorized senders into a single record to stay within this limit. For more information, check out Microsoft's documentation on SPF.

Spotting and Fixing Common Syntax Errors

Correct syntax is essential for a functioning SPF record. Your record should begin with v=spf1, followed by the authorized mail sources, including IP addresses and domains (using the include: tag). It ends with an enforcement rule, such as ~all or -all. Even small syntax errors, like a missing v=spf1 tag or incorrect formatting, can cause major headaches. Emails might be flagged as spam or rejected entirely. Double-check your syntax carefully before publishing your SPF record. Microsoft's guide on SPF setup offers more details on proper syntax.

How to Handle SPF for Multiple Email Services

If you're using several email services, ensure all authorized sources are listed in your SPF record. When adding a new service, don't create a new record. Instead, add the new service's values to your existing record. This prevents email spoofing and ensures all legitimate emails are authenticated. For robust email security, Microsoft recommends implementing DKIM and DMARC alongside SPF. You can learn more about adding these DNS records through their support documentation. These three protocols work together to provide comprehensive protection against phishing and spoofing attempts.

SPF Guidance for Different Domain Types

How you handle your SPF record isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. The right approach depends on the types of domains you own and how you use them. Whether you're working with a custom domain, sending emails from various subdomains, or just holding onto a domain for future use, each scenario requires a specific SPF strategy. Getting this right is key to maintaining a clean sender reputation and ensuring your emails are properly authenticated across the board. Let's look at the most common domain types and how to manage their SPF records effectively.

Custom Domains vs. onmicrosoft.com

When you first sign up for Office 365, you get a default domain that ends in onmicrosoft.com. For this specific domain, Microsoft takes care of the SPF record for you, so there’s nothing you need to do. However, most businesses use a custom domain (like yourcompany.com) to send professional emails. For any custom domain you use, you are responsible for creating and maintaining the SPF record. This is a critical step because without a proper SPF record, receiving servers have no way to verify that emails coming from your custom domain are legitimate, which can seriously hurt your deliverability.

Creating Records for Subdomains

If your business uses subdomains to send emails—for example, marketing.yourcompany.com for newsletters or support.yourcompany.com for customer service—each one needs its own separate SPF record. This is especially important if you use third-party services to send emails from these subdomains. Creating distinct SPF records for subdomains helps isolate sending reputations. This way, if an issue arises with one sending stream, it won't negatively impact the deliverability of your main domain. Properly configured subdomain records are essential for organizing your email infrastructure and protecting your brand.

Protecting Parked Domains

Many businesses purchase domains they don't intend to use for sending email, often to protect their brand or for future projects. These "parked" domains can be exploited by spammers to send fraudulent emails that look like they're from you. To prevent this, you should create a specific SPF record that tells the world no emails should ever be sent from that domain. The record is simple: v=spf1 -all. This configuration instructs receiving servers to reject any email claiming to be from your parked domain, effectively shutting down any potential for spoofing and protecting your brand's reputation.

Beyond SPF: Why You Need DKIM and DMARC Too

Think of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC as a three-person security team for your email. Each protocol plays a distinct role in verifying your emails and protecting your domain's reputation. Using them together creates a robust defense against spoofing, phishing, and other email-borne threats.

How SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Work Together

SPF acts as the first line of defense, verifying the sending email server is authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. This check helps prevent email spoofing, a common tactic in phishing attacks. Think of it as verifying the return address on an envelope. SPF uses a TXT record in your DNS settings to list approved sending sources. Microsoft's documentation offers a helpful guide for setting up SPF.

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds another layer of security by digitally signing your emails. This signature verifies the email content hasn't been tampered with during transit—like adding a tamper-proof seal to your message.

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) works alongside SPF and DKIM, telling receiving email servers what to do with emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks. You can set policies to quarantine suspicious emails or reject them outright. DMARC also provides reports so you can monitor your email authentication performance.

How to Set Up DKIM in Microsoft 365

Setting up DKIM is the next step in securing your email. The process involves creating two CNAME records in your domain's DNS settings. These records act as pointers, directing receiving mail servers to Microsoft's public key, which they use to verify your email's digital signature. This confirms that your message hasn't been altered after it was sent. While it sounds a bit technical, it’s mostly a copy-and-paste task. Microsoft provides a detailed guide on how to set up DKIM, which walks you through finding the correct values within your admin portal. Once you've added the CNAME records and they've had time to propagate, you'll need to enable DKIM signing within the Microsoft 365 Defender portal to complete the process.

Better Security, Better Deliverability

Using all three protocols—SPF, DKIM, and DMARC—significantly improves your email security. This comprehensive approach protects your domain from unauthorized use and safeguards your recipients from fraudulent emails. A solid email authentication setup also improves email deliverability. When email providers trust your emails, they're more likely to land in the inbox instead of the spam folder. For a deeper look at SPF for Office 365, check out this article. Microsoft also offers helpful information on DMARC and its role in email security. By implementing these protocols, you're not just protecting yourself—you're building trust with your audience and ensuring your messages reach their intended destination.

Upcoming Microsoft Sender Requirements You Can't Ignore

Following in the footsteps of Google and Yahoo, Microsoft is rolling out new sender requirements to make Outlook inboxes safer. The goal is to cut down on phishing, spoofing, and spam, which is great news for everyone. But for email marketers, it means there are new rules to follow to ensure your messages get delivered. Starting May 5, 2025, Microsoft will begin rejecting emails from senders who don't meet these updated authentication standards. This isn't just a suggestion—it's a hard requirement for anyone who wants to reliably reach an Outlook inbox. Let's walk through exactly what you need to do to stay compliant.

Who is Affected by the New Rules?

In short, everyone sending email to an Outlook address is affected. Microsoft's new policies are designed to create a more secure email ecosystem for all users. However, the rules are especially strict for high-volume senders—those sending large quantities of email. If you're running marketing campaigns, sending newsletters, or have any kind of automated outreach, you need to pay close attention. The changes are aimed at verifying that senders are who they claim to be, which helps protect users from malicious emails. You can read the full breakdown of the Microsoft Outlook email authentication rules on EasyDMARC's blog.

Key Requirements for High-Volume Senders

If you're a high-volume sender, Microsoft has a specific checklist of requirements you'll need to meet. These aren't just best practices anymore; they are mandatory for getting your emails delivered. The core of these new rules revolves around three key areas: robust email authentication, maintaining a positive sender reputation, and providing a seamless unsubscribe experience for your recipients. Getting these elements right is crucial for your email strategy's success. Think of it as building a foundation of trust with both Microsoft's servers and your audience. Let's break down what each of these requirements entails.

Mandatory Email Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

As we've covered, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are the three pillars of email authentication. Microsoft now requires all three to be properly configured for your sending domain. SPF specifies which mail servers are allowed to send email on your behalf. DKIM adds a digital signature to verify that the message hasn't been altered. DMARC then tells receiving servers what to do if an email fails SPF or DKIM checks. Having all three in place proves your emails are legitimate and protects your domain from being used for phishing or spam, which is essential for maintaining a strong sender reputation.

Maintaining a Low Spam Complaint Rate

Your sender reputation is critical, and Microsoft is now enforcing a specific metric: your spam complaint rate must stay below 0.3%. This means that for every 1,000 emails you send, fewer than three recipients can mark your message as spam. The best way to keep this rate low is by sending valuable, relevant content to a clean and engaged email list. Using a dedicated sending infrastructure also helps ensure your emails are delivered consistently from a reputable source. At ScaledMail, we see how a custom-built system gives you more control over your reputation, which is a key factor in keeping complaint rates down and building trust with email providers like Microsoft.

One-Click Unsubscribe and DMARC Alignment

For marketing and promotional emails, providing an easy way to opt out is now a technical requirement. You must include a "one-click unsubscribe" option in your email headers. This is different from just having an unsubscribe link in the footer; it allows email clients like Outlook to display a prominent unsubscribe button at the top of the message. Additionally, your domain must have proper DMARC alignment, which means the "From" domain your recipients see must match the domains used in your SPF and DKIM records. This alignment proves that the email is truly from you and is a critical part of passing DMARC validation.

How to Troubleshoot Your Office 365 SPF Record

After setting up your SPF record, verifying it works correctly is crucial for strong email deliverability. This section helps you identify potential problems and provides solutions for a robust SPF setup.

How to Spot Common SPF Problems

A common issue is having multiple SPF records. Your domain only allows one SPF record. Multiple records create confusion and can lead to email rejection. Another problem stems from exceeding the DNS lookup limit. During SPF verification, the receiving server performs DNS lookups. Too many lookups (more than 10) cause delays and rejections, similar to hitting a roadblock in a complex sales process. Microsoft's documentation offers further information on SPF setup and limitations.

Helpful Tools for Validating Your SPF Record

An SPF record lookup tool is like a spell-checker for your email security. These tools verify your SPF record is correctly formatted and working as expected. A correctly configured SPF record improves your email deliverability, ensuring your messages reach the inbox, and protects your sender reputation. Smartlead's SPF Record Lookup Tool offers a convenient way to check your SPF setup. Regular monitoring helps catch potential issues early, much like how ScaledMail monitors email infrastructure for optimal performance.

Your Guide to Resolving SPF Issues

If you already have an SPF record, add include:spf.protection.outlook.com to it. This authorizes Microsoft servers to send emails on your behalf. If you’re starting fresh, create a new TXT record with the value v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all. This sets up a basic SPF record that designates Outlook as a legitimate sender. Lemwarm's guide provides a helpful walkthrough for Office 365 SPF setup. Similar to how ScaledMail provides custom solutions for email infrastructure, addressing these common SPF issues ensures your emails reach their target audience.

Smart SPF Management: Best Practices to Follow

The Risks of Ignoring Your SPF Record

Once you’ve set up your SPF record, your job isn’t over. Regular maintenance and a few smart strategies will keep your email flowing smoothly and securely.

Why Regular Audits are Non-Negotiable

Think of your SPF record like a car—it needs regular tune-ups. Use an SPF record lookup tool to check for errors and ensure everything’s configured correctly. This proactive approach improves email deliverability and protects your sender reputation. Regular checks will also catch any unauthorized changes or issues that might crop up. I recommend checking your SPF record at least quarterly, or any time you make changes to your email infrastructure.

Keeping Your SPF Record Up-to-Date

Any time you switch email providers or add new sending services, update your SPF record. This ensures all legitimate senders are authorized, maintaining strong security and preventing deliverability problems. Forgetting this step is a common oversight, so add a reminder to your calendar whenever you plan email system changes.

Layering Your Defenses Beyond SPF

SPF is a great first step, but combining it with DKIM and DMARC takes your email security to the next level. Think of it as a multi-layered security system for your email. DMARC instructs receiving servers on how to handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks, giving you granular control over your email authentication and protecting your domain from spoofing and phishing. Using all three methods together provides the strongest defense against email fraud and helps ensure your messages reach your intended recipients.

Will Your Emails End Up in Spam?

Without an SPF record, email providers can't verify if emails sent from your domain are legitimate. They have no way of knowing if the sender is actually authorized to send email on your behalf. This lack of authentication makes it much more likely that your emails will be marked as spam or even rejected altogether. Your carefully crafted messages might never reach your intended recipients, impacting your campaign performance and overall business communication. For high-volume senders, this can be especially detrimental. Consider exploring dedicated email infrastructure solutions designed for optimized deliverability.

Leaving the Door Open for Spoofing Attacks

Leaving your domain without an SPF record makes it incredibly vulnerable to spoofing attacks. Bad actors can easily send emails that appear to be coming from your domain, potentially tricking your customers and damaging your brand reputation. These spoofed emails can be used for phishing scams, spreading malware, or other fraudulent activities that erode trust in your communications. Protecting your domain with SPF is a crucial step in preventing these kinds of attacks. Learn more about how a robust email infrastructure can safeguard your business from such threats on the ScaledMail blog.

How a Bad SPF Record Hurts Your Brand

Over time, the absence of an SPF record can severely damage your domain's reputation. Email providers might start flagging your domain as untrustworthy, leading to long-term deliverability problems. This can make it increasingly difficult to reach your audience and maintain effective communication. A damaged domain reputation is hard to repair, so setting up SPF from the start is a smart move. It protects your domain and ensures your emails consistently land in your recipients' inboxes. Ready to enhance your email deliverability and security? Book a consultation to discuss how a dedicated email infrastructure can benefit your business.

Your SPF Toolkit: Helpful Resources

When setting up and managing your SPF record for Office 365, having reliable resources is essential. This section compiles helpful documentation, guides, and tools to simplify the process and ensure your SPF configuration is accurate and effective.

Straight from the Source: Microsoft's Guides

Microsoft provides comprehensive documentation covering various aspects of SPF setup and management for Office 365. These resources offer valuable insights and step-by-step instructions:

Set up SPF to identify valid email sources for your Microsoft 365 domain: This guide offers a detailed walkthrough of configuring SPF for your custom domain in Microsoft 365. It emphasizes the importance of SPF in preventing email spoofing and ensuring successful email delivery. Learn more from Microsoft’s guide to SPF setup.
Add DNS records to connect your domain: This resource outlines connecting a domain from another provider to Microsoft 365. It includes instructions for creating necessary DNS records, including SPF, to enable your custom email address within Microsoft 365. Microsoft also offers a guide to connecting your domain.

Our Favorite Third-Party SPF Tools

Beyond Microsoft's official resources, several third-party tools and services can assist with SPF management:

SPF Record Lookup Tool: Verify your SPF record is correctly configured using an SPF Record Lookup tool. This check is crucial for maintaining email deliverability and protecting your domain's reputation.
How to Set Up SPF for Office 365: This Lemwarm blog post provides a step-by-step SPF setup guide specifically for Office 365. It highlights the importance of a correctly configured SPF record for enhanced email deliverability and offers practical troubleshooting tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my email going to spam?

While there are several reasons why your email might land in spam, a missing or incorrect SPF record is a common culprit. Without a proper SPF record, email providers can't verify that your emails are legitimate, increasing the chances they'll be flagged as spam. Other factors like your email content, sender reputation, and recipient engagement also play a role.

What's the difference between -all and ~all in an SPF record?

The -all tag tells receiving mail servers to reject emails from unauthorized senders. The ~all tag (soft fail) typically results in emails being marked as spam instead of outright rejection. While -all offers stricter security, ~all is often preferred initially to avoid accidentally blocking legitimate emails during the transition.

I'm using multiple email services. How do I configure my SPF record?

You should only have one SPF record per domain. If you use multiple email services, combine all authorized senders into that single record. Use the include tag for each service. This ensures all legitimate emails are authenticated while staying within the DNS lookup limit.

How often should I check my SPF record?

Regularly checking your SPF record is a good security practice. I recommend reviewing it at least quarterly and after any changes to your email infrastructure. Use an SPF record lookup tool to verify its accuracy and catch potential issues early.

Besides SPF, what else can I do to improve email deliverability and security?

While SPF is a great start, combining it with DKIM and DMARC provides more robust protection. DKIM adds a digital signature to your emails, verifying their authenticity. DMARC tells receiving servers what to do with emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks. Together, these three protocols significantly enhance your email security and deliverability.