SPF

The Field Guide

5 chapters · last updated 21 September 2026 · free to read

SPF is one DNS record with one job and a surprising number of ways to fail while looking correct.

This is the short version: what it declares, the limit that breaks it, and how to fix a record that has grown past what the specification allows.

Chapter 1 of 5

What SPF declares

Which systems may send as you, and nothing more than that.

What SPF declares

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Chapter 2 of 5

The ten lookup limit

A hard ceiling, and what happens the moment you cross it.

The ten lookup limit

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Chapter 3 of 5

Qualifiers and enforcement

What the difference between ~all and -all actually means.

Qualifiers and enforcement

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Chapter 4 of 5

Shortening a record safely

Removing, narrowing, flattening, and the risks of each.

Shortening a record safely

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Chapter 5 of 5

Subdomains for sending

A separate budget of ten, and a separate reputation.

Subdomains for sending

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Check yours

See where your own domain stands.

Everything above, checked on your domain in about ten seconds. Free, no account.