How to Set Up an SPF Record for Google Workspace

Are the emails you send with Google Workspace going to spam?

It could be that you haven’t set up your SPF record.

Without an SPF record, your emails are more likely to be marked as spam.

Since emails in the spam folder don’t convert, you’re directly hurting your bottom line by not having an SPF record set up.

The good news?

After reading this post, you’ll know exactly how to set up an SPF record for Google Workspace.

What is SPF?

SPF stands for Sender Policy Framework. It has, therefore, nothing to do with sunscreen ;-)

Instead, SPF is an email authentication method that lets you specify what email servers can send emails on your domain’s behalf.

If an email claims to be coming from your domain but the sending server is not in your SPF record, it will fail SPF authentication. When that happens, the email may be sent to spam or not delivered at all.

💡See a “sending server” as the tool you send emails with or your email service provider. In this context, it’s Google Workspace’s sending server. ;-)

This authentication protocol can prevent phishing attacks and other cybercrimes. In short, it makes your emails more secure.

Internet service providers love this added layer of security.

The result?

Better inbox placement for your emails and potentially more meetings booked and revenue generated.

Good deal, huh?

What’s an SPF record?

An SPF record is a DNS record you add to your domain’s DNS settings.

It’s a little string of code that includes the sending servers of the tools you send email with.

Here’s an example:

v=spf1 include:youremailsendingtool.com -all

Usually, your email service provider (email-sending tool) will give you the exact SPF record to put in place.

But, if you use multiple servers to send emails, you must also include the additional servers in your SPF record (You can’t have multiple SPF records). You do so by simply adding multiple “includes”:

v=spf1 include:yoursendingtool.com include:secondsendingtool.net -all

Setting Up an SPF Record for Google Workspace

Configuring a Google Workspace SPF record for your domain involves four global steps. (We’ll give you more specific instructions in a minute.)

1. Check your domain’s existing SPF record

2. Get the SPF record for Google Workspace, usually: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

3. Add the SPF record to your domain’s DNS records (or only Google’s sending server as an extra include)

4. Wait for a day and confirm your SPF record

How to configure an SPF record for Google Workspace on any domain provider

If your domain provider isn’t on the list below, follow these steps to set up an SPF record for any domain provider.

These steps aren’t as exact as those for specific domain providers, but they should help you get the job done.

When in doubt, ask your domain provider!

1. ➡️ Log in to your domain provider’s account

2. ➡️ Look for DNS or DNS settings

3. ➡️ Check if there’s an existing SPF record

4. ➡️ Now, click on Add, Add record, or similar

5. ➡️ Choose TXT as the record type

6. ➡️ Add @ to the name field

7. ➡️ Add Google’s SPF record to the Value field:

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

   The Value field is sometimes called Text, Data, or Content.

8. ➡️ Click save

How to set up a Google Workspace SPF record on GoDaddy

1. ➡️ Log in to your GoDaddy account

2. ➡️ Navigate to My Products and find your domain

3. ➡️ Click on the DNS button

4. ➡️ Go to the DNS Management page

5. ➡️ Click on Add

6. ➡️ Select TXT as the record’s Type

7. ➡️ Add @ to the Name field

8. ➡️ Add Google’s SPF record to the Value field:

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

9. ➡️ Save your record

Adding a Google Workspace SPF record to Namecheap

1. ➡️ Log in to your Namecheap account

2. ➡️ Open the Domain List

3. ➡️ Select your domain

4. ➡️ Click on Advanced DNS

5. ➡️ Create a New Record

6. ➡️ Choose TXT as the record type

7. ➡️ Add @ to the Host field

8. ➡️ Add Google’s SPF record to the Value field:

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

9. ➡️ Click the checkmark to save

Configuring a Google SPF record for Dreamhost

1. ➡️ Log in to your Dreamhost account

2. ➡️ Go to the Manage Websites page

3. ➡️ Find your domain and open DNS Settings:

   1. In Grid view: Click the three vertical dots below your domain, then click DNS Settings

   2. In List view: Click the three vertical dots to the right of your domain, then click DNS Settings

4. ➡️ Click on Add Record

5. ➡️ Hover over the TXT record section and click on Add

6. ➡️ Leave the Host field blank unless you’re adding the record for a subdomain

7. ➡️ Add Google Workspace’s SPF record to the TXT Value field:

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

8. ➡️ Click on Add Record to save

How to set up a Google Workspace SPF record on Cloudflare

1. ➡️ Log in to Cloudflare

2. ➡️ Pick your domain on the dashboard

3. ➡️ Click on DNS

4. ➡️ For Type, select TXT

5. ➡️ Create a new DNS record

6. ➡️ Add @ to the Name field

7. ➡️ Add this SPF record to the Value field:

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

8. ➡️ Save your record

How to set up a Google SPF on Bluehost

1. ➡️ Log in to your Bluehost account

2. ➡️ Navigate to My Domains

3. ➡️ Select your domain

4. ➡️ Click on DNS

5. ➡️Hit the Add New Record button

6. ➡️ Select TXT as the record’s Type

7. ➡️ Add @ to the Host or Name field

8. ➡️ Add Google’s SPF record to the Value field:

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

9. ➡️ Click Save

How to add a Google SPF record on OVHcloud

1. ➡️ Go to your OVHcloud control panel

2. ➡️ Navigate to My Products and Services

3. ➡️ Click See All

4. ➡️ Choose your domain

5. ➡️ Go to the DNS Zone

6. ➡️ Click Add an Entry

7. ➡️ Choose TXT as the record’s Type

8. ➡️ Paste Google’s SPF record into the Target field

9. ➡️ Important: OVHcloud does not automatically append your domain to the SPF record. As such, you’ll have to add it manually. The final SPF Record should look something like this:

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

10. ➡️ Hit the Save button

Validating Your Google Workspace SPF Record

After saving your SPF record, it can take up to 72 hours for it to propagate.

But don’t worry; your new record usually becomes active in a few hours.

To check its status, use a DNS lookup tool like MXToolbox. It’s easy to use. Just add your domain, and then select SPF Record Lookup.

The results will tell you if you’ve configured your SPF record correctly.

Next Steps

Setting up your domain’s SPF is essential for better email deliverability.

It’s one of three essential email authentication protocols for boosting email security and inbox placement.

However, SPF is just one component of what’s known as your technical setup. You should also:

• Set up your DKIM records

• Set up your DMARC records

• Configure your MX records

• And set up your Custom Tracking Domain