SPF, or Sender Policy Framework, is a type of email authentication that defines which mail servers, or email sending applications, can be used for sending from your domain.

Think of your domain as a new car. Before you hit the road, you need to have a valid insurance policy.

Each time you have an additional driver, you need to update your insurance policy to include them. SPF works the same way as your insurance. Every tool that sends emails from your domain MUST be included within your SPF record. Be sure to update your SPF record every time you use a new tool to send emails.

For example, if your domain is company.com and you use Google and G-suite to send emails, then your SPF record would look like this:

If your domain is company.com and you use G-suite and Salesforce to send emails, then your SPF record would look like this:

SPF is a DNS TXT record published within your domain hosting providers' DNS settings such as GoDaddy, Name.com, Cloudflare, or HostGator.

Every time you send an email, you need to get through your recipient’s spam filters mechanisms and firewalls. You can think of this as going through a police checkpoint.

The police will first check your DNS settings to see if you have a valid SPF record (or insurance). If you do, they check if you are authorized to drive the vehicle on behalf of your domain.

If the email application you’re using is listed within your SPF record, then your email is properly authenticated. This will improve your overall deliverability.
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