Creating SPF records to increase email deliverability

Overview: What are we talking about?

Some email service providers require that the origin of an email is allowed for a given domain. While this helps reduce spam overall, it also puts your business in the cross fire of heavy-handed spam checks. One thing you can do is add SPF records to your DNS for your businesses domain name.

Please note that these instructions will only work if you have control over the domain name for your business. You can not configure SPF records for free email providers like iCloud, Yahoo, Outlook, etc.

How to: Create SPF records. 

Step 1: Identify who hosts your DNS records.

This will usually be your domain name registrar (the company you purchased your domain name from). If you are unsure, consult with the person who purchased your businesses' domain name.

Step 2: Navigate to your DNS hosts' website and log in.

1. Locate the DNS management section for your domain name.
   
   
2. Search to see if a DNS record of the TXT type currently exists for your domain. You'll see "v=spf1" in the Text field. 
   
   
3. If an SPF record already exists:
   
   
   1. Edit the existing record and add "include:mailgun.org" (without quotes) immediately after the last "include:" in your record. For example, "v=spf1 include:mandrillapp.com ~all" will become "v=spf1 include:mandrillapp.com include:mailgun.org ~all".
      
      
   2. Save changes.
      
      
4. If an SPF record does not already exist:
   
   
   1. Add a DNS record of the TXT type (this is usually located under "Advanced" management).
      
      
   2. Enter "@" (without quotes) in the Host field.
      
      
   3. Enter "v=spf1 include:mailgun.org ~all" in the Text field.
      
      
   4. Save changes.