Guides

How to set up an SPF record in cPanel

An SPF record tells receiving mail servers which addresses are allowed to send email for your domain. Without one, or with a broken one, your messages are far more likely to hit spam. Set it up right after you connect the domain to email.

1. Open Email Deliverability

   In cPanel, under the Email section, open Email Deliverability. It lists your domains and shows the SPF, DKIM, and PTR status for each one.

2. Click Manage next to the domain

   Pick the domain and click Manage. In the SPF block cPanel shows the recommended value and an Install the Suggested Record button if the record is missing or outdated.

3. Add your external sending services

   If you also send through Google Workspace, SendGrid, or a newsletter service, add their include: mechanisms to the record. Otherwise mail from those services will fail the check.

4. Add the record by hand in Zone Editor if needed

   To manage it yourself, open Zone Editor and add a TXT record for the domain with a value like v=spf1 +a +mx +ip4:SERVER_IP ~all.

5. Keep only one SPF record

   A domain must have exactly one record starting with v=spf1. If there are two, merge the mechanisms into a single line, or the check will fail.

6. End the record with ~all or -all

   ~all (softfail) is fine to start with; -all (hardfail) is stricter and safer once you are sure every sending source is listed.

How to verify the result

A few minutes after saving, check the domain in the free TechGuard email checker - it shows whether an SPF record was found and whether it is valid.

Tip: Two SPF records on one domain break validation; the standard allows only one.

Related guides

• How to add a DKIM signature for your domain
• How to set up DMARC starting with p=none
• What to do when your emails land in spam
• How to add MX records for a new domain