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DNS host · SPF

SPF record for GoDaddy

How to add a SPF record when DNS or mail is at GoDaddy. Real steps, then a live lookup.

GoDaddy is often the registrar and the DNS host. If NS records point elsewhere, these steps will not apply.

  1. My Products > DNS next to the domain > Add New Record > TXT.
  2. Host: @. Value: your v=spf1 record. TTL: 1 hour is fine while you test.
  3. If a TXT SPF record already exists, edit it rather than adding another.

Official docs: GoDaddy. Other records for this provider: SPF · DKIM · DMARC

Does this page apply to you?

Run this first. GoDaddy only matters if it is where your DNS or mail actually lives.

dig +short NS yourdomain.com

Expect: Names ending in domaincontrol.com. If you see something else, GoDaddy is only the registrar and DNS is edited at the host those nameservers belong to.

Specific to GoDaddy

  • Use @ in the Name field for the root domain.
  • Before adding anything, look through the DNS Records list for a TXT value starting v=spf1. Domains that previously had GoDaddy-hosted email commonly have one already; edit it instead of adding a second.
  • Pick the shortest TTL on offer while you are testing, so a mistake clears quickly.

What you should end up with

Illustrative values. Use the exact host and value your provider shows you where it generates them.

Type  Name  Value
TXT  @  v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

What the receiving server does with this record

On every incoming message the receiver reads the domain in the envelope sender (the Return-Path), fetches its TXT records, picks the one that starts v=spf1, and checks whether the sending IP is covered. It is a check on which servers may send for a domain, not on the visible From address; DMARC is what ties the two together.

Mistakes that break it

  • Two SPF records. A domain may have exactly one. Publish a second and SPF returns a permanent error, which receivers treat as a failure. Merge instead.
  • Over ten lookups. Each include costs a lookup plus whatever is inside it. See the SPF lookup limit.
  • A sender missing. Your sequencer, CRM and billing tool all send as your domain and each needs its include in this one record.
  • Wrong domain. SPF is not inherited by subdomains. If you send from mail.yourdomain.com, that name needs its own record.

Check it from the command line

Replace yourdomain.com and look for exactly one line that starts with "v=spf1:

dig +short TXT yourdomain.com

Check it live

Check the SPF record

Look up the live DNS after you save. This tool does not spend credits.

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

Publish as a single TXT record on the apex. Never create two SPF records.

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