Common SPF Mistakes That Destroy Deliverability

Mistake 1: Multiple SPF Records

The error:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
v=spf1 include:sendgrid.net ~all

The result: permerror — SPF fails completely.

Why it happens: Adding a new ESP without checking for existing records. Each service says "add this SPF record" and users just add another.

The fix: Merge into one record:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:sendgrid.net ~all

How to check:

dig TXT yourdomain.com +short | grep -c "v=spf1"
# Must return 1

Practitioner note: This is the #1 SPF mistake I encounter. Client adds Mailchimp, follows their guide, creates a new record—now they have two. Always check for existing records before adding.

Mistake 2: Exceeding the 10 Lookup Limit

The error:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:sendgrid.net include:mailgun.org include:servers.mcsv.net include:_spf.hubspot.com include:_spf.salesforce.com ~all

The result: permerror — too many DNS lookups.

Why it happens: Each include triggers nested lookups. Six includes can easily exceed 10.

Service	Typical Lookups
Google Workspace	3-4
SendGrid	3-4
Mailgun	2
Mailchimp	2
HubSpot	2
Total	12-14

The fix:

• Remove unused services
• Use SPF flattening
• Split senders across subdomains
• Replace includes with ip4 for static IPs

Mistake 3: Forgetting Third-Party Senders

The error: SPF record only includes primary email provider, ignoring:

• CRM systems (HubSpot, Salesforce)
• Helpdesk (Zendesk, Freshdesk)
• Billing (Stripe, QuickBooks email notifications)
• Booking (Calendly, Acuity)
• Forms (Typeform, Jotform)
• Project management tools

The result: Legitimate emails fail SPF from forgotten services.

Why it happens: SPF is set up once during initial email setup. New tools get added over time without SPF updates.

The fix: Audit all services that send email for your domain. Add their includes.

How to find forgotten senders: Check DMARC aggregate reports—they show every IP/service sending as your domain.

Mistake 4: Using +all

The error:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com +all

The result: Everyone on the internet is authorized to send as your domain.

Why it happens: Misunderstanding what +all means, or blindly copying incorrect examples.

The fix: Use ~all (softfail) or -all (hardfail):

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

Why it matters: Spammers can send as your domain, pass SPF, and potentially pass DMARC. Your domain reputation suffers.

Mistake 5: Typos in Include Statements

The error:

include:sendgird.net       # sendgird vs sendgrid
include:_spf.goggle.com    # goggle vs google
include:spf.google.com     # missing underscore

The result: SPF fails or triggers void lookups (if domain doesn't exist).

Why it happens: Manual typing errors, copy-paste issues, autocorrect.

The fix: Double-check every include against official ESP documentation. Use dig to verify:

dig TXT sendgrid.net +short  # Verify it returns SPF data

Mistake 6: Using SPF Record Type Instead of TXT

The error: Creating an "SPF" type DNS record instead of "TXT" type.

The result: Some receivers ignore SPF record type. Inconsistent authentication.

Why it happens: Some DNS providers offer both SPF and TXT options. The SPF type was deprecated in 2014.

The fix: Always use TXT records for SPF. Delete any SPF-type records.

Mistake 7: Not Updating After ESP Changes

The error: Switching from Mailchimp to Klaviyo but leaving include:servers.mcsv.net and never adding Klaviyo.

The result:

• New ESP (Klaviyo) fails SPF
• Old include wastes DNS lookups

Why it happens: ESP migration focuses on content migration, not authentication updates.

The fix: Update SPF whenever you:

• Add a new email service
• Remove an email service
• Change ESPs

Practitioner note: I've seen SPF records with includes for ESPs the company stopped using 3 years ago. Meanwhile, their current ESP isn't included at all. Audit annually at minimum.

Mistake 8: Including Mechanisms That Don't Apply

The error:

v=spf1 a mx include:_spf.google.com ~all

When your web server (a) and mail server (mx) don't actually send email.

The result: Wastes DNS lookups on mechanisms that never match.

Why it happens: Copy-pasting SPF templates without understanding each mechanism.

The fix: Only include mechanisms for servers that actually send email:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

Mistake 9: Ignoring Propagation Time

The error: Updating SPF, immediately testing, seeing failure, making more changes.

The result: Confusion, potentially breaking a working record.

Why it happens: DNS propagation takes 15 minutes to 48 hours depending on TTL.

The fix:

1. Make your change
2. Wait 30-60 minutes minimum
3. Test with dig TXT domain.com @8.8.8.8 to check Google's DNS
4. Only make additional changes if still failing after propagation

Mistake 10: Testing in Production Only

The error: Making SPF changes directly in production without testing.

The result: If something breaks, live email fails.

Why it happens: No staging environment for DNS, assumption that SPF changes are simple.

The fix:

• Validate new records with MXToolbox before publishing
• Start with ~all (softfail) rather than -all (hardfail)
• Monitor DMARC reports after changes

SPF Audit Checklist

Run this check quarterly:

1. Only one SPF record exists
2. DNS lookup count ≤ 10
3. All current senders are included
4. No defunct services remain
5. No typos in include domains
6. Using TXT record (not SPF type)
7. Using ~all or -all (not +all)
8. No unnecessary a or mx mechanisms

If you've made one of these mistakes and need help fixing it cleanly, schedule a consultation. I'll audit your SPF and build a correct configuration.

Sources

• RFC 7208: Sender Policy Framework (SPF)
• MXToolbox: SPF Best Practices
• dmarcian: SPF Troubleshooting
• Google: SPF Record Syntax

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v1.0 · March 2026