How to Set Up SPF Records for Your WiseStamp Signature

Improve Email Deliverability and Protect Your Domain with SPF Records

If you're a WiseStamp user looking to improve your email deliverability, setting up SPF records is a must. In this article, we'll explain SPF records and how you can set them up for your WiseStamp email signature. We will use GoDaddy as an example, please look for similar settings if you are using a different host. 

What are SPF records?

Sender Policy Framework (SPF) is a type of email authentication that allows the receiving mail server to check if the sender is authorized to send email from a particular domain. SPF records are DNS records that contain information about which IP addresses are authorized to send emails on behalf of a specific domain.

By setting up an SPF record, you can prevent unauthorized senders from using your domain name to send spam or phishing emails. This can help improve your email deliverability and reduce the chances of your emails being marked as spam.

How to set up SPF records for your WiseStamp signature?

Step 1:

Log in to your domain registrar's website and navigate to your domain's DNS settings.

Step 2:

Look for the option to add/edit a new DNS record and select "SPF" from the list of record types. Usually, you will already have SPF so you should simply edit the existing record.

Step 3:

Enter the following information in the appropriate fields:

• Name: Enter your domain name preceded by the "v=spf1" tag. For example, "v=spf1 example.com" (without the quotes).

• Value: Enter the list of IP addresses or domains that are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. You can use the following format:

  • If you're only sending emails from WiseStamp, add "include:outbound.smtp.wisestamp.net" to the list of authorized senders. For example, "v=spf1 include:outbound.smtp.wisestamp.net -all" (without the quotes).

  • If you're also sending emails from other sources (this scenario is more common), you'll need to add WiseStamp's SPF after the existing source, and before "-all". For example, "v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:outbound.smtp.wisestamp.net -all" (without quotes).

• TTL: The time-to-live (TTL) value determines how long the DNS record will remain cached by other servers. The default value is usually acceptable (1 hour).

Step 4:

Save the record and wait for the changes to propagate. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on your DNS provider.

Once the SPF record is set up, you can use tools like SPF record checkers to verify that it's working correctly.

Troubleshooting: "SPF Not Found" in WiseStamp

When trying to configure SPF for WiseStamp, you might encounter an "SPF not found" message. This often indicates an issue with your SPF record setup or optimization.

Steps to Troubleshoot:

1. Re-check Your SPF Configuration: Go back to your domain's DNS settings. Ensure you've followed all setup steps correctly and that the record has propagated. Propagation can take a few minutes to a few hours.

2. Understand SPF Redirects and Lookups: Lookups validate the sending server's IP, but there's a strict limit of 10 DNS lookups. Redirects let multiple domains share the same SPF policy. However, they can lead to nested SPF records, which may cause issues.

3. Identify Nested SPF Records:

   • Periodic Review: Frequently check your SPF records to ensure they're within the lookup limits.
   • Use Online Tools: Tools like EasyDMARC's SPF Lookup can help diagnose potential SPF issues. It checks your SPF records to ensure you're within the lookup limits and don't have nested records.

4. Address Nested SPF Records: If you find nested records or exceed the lookup limits:

   • Flatten Your SPF Record: Consolidate your SPF entries.
   • Consider Alternatives: Think about using a dedicated subdomain for specific email services.

5. Seek Support: If you've gone through these steps and still encounter issues, don't hesitate to contact support@wisestamp.com. We're here to help.