Glossary Deliverability
What is SPF (Sender Policy Framework)?
Also called Sender Policy Framework
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a DNS TXT record that lists the mail servers allowed to send email for a domain, so receiving servers can reject mail that claims to be from that domain but comes from somewhere else.
SPF is defined in RFC 7208. A record looks like v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all, which says Google's servers may send for the domain and anything else should be treated with suspicion.
A domain can have only one SPF record, and the check can follow at most 10 DNS lookups, so adding many sending services needs care.
Why it matters
- Since February 2024, Google requires every sender to Gmail to use SPF or DKIM, and bulk senders to use both plus DMARC.
- Without it, anyone can pretend to send as your domain, and real mail from you is easier to doubt.
- SPF is one of the two checks DMARC builds on.
How Reach Crew handles it
Reach Crew sends through your own Google account, so your email leaves Google's servers. A personal Gmail address is covered by Google. For a Google Workspace domain, your SPF record should include _spf.google.com, which most Workspace setups already have. Reach Crew never changes your DNS.
Related terms
- DKIM. DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is an email authentication method that adds a cryptographic signature to...
- DMARC. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance) is a DNS policy that tells receiving...
- Email deliverability. Email deliverability is the share of the emails you send that land in the recipient's inbox, rather than in...
- Sender reputation. Sender reputation is the trust that mailbox providers such as Gmail and Outlook place in a sending domain or...
- Guide: Email warm-up and sending limits for a new mailbox