If you manage DNS records for your domain and use multiple third-party services to send email (like MailerRocket, Google Workspace, MailerLite, CRM tools, etc.), chances are you’ve run into an issue with multiple SPF entries. This is a problem because only one SPF record is allowed per domain, and having more than one can break email authentication and damage your email deliverability.

In this article, we’ll walk you through why multiple SPF records are a problem, how to identify them, and how to consolidate them into a single, valid SPF record — keeping your email flow smooth and spam-folder free.

 Why Multiple SPF Records Are a Problem

The SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a type of DNS TXT record that helps prevent spammers from sending emails on behalf of your domain. However, SPF specifications only allow one TXT record starting with v=spf1 per domain.

If your domain has two or more SPF records like:

txtCopyEditv=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
v=spf1 include:sendgrid.net ~all

This will invalidate both records. Mail servers may ignore them or reject your emails, leading to failed deliveries or spam classification.

 Step-by-Step: How to Consolidate Multiple SPF Records

1. List All Your SPF Records

Use tools like:

• MXToolbox SPF Lookup

• dig txt yourdomain.com (Linux/macOS terminal)

• Online DNS checker tools

Identify all TXT records that start with v=spf1.

2. Identify Included Services

For each SPF record, note which services are being included. Common ones include:

3. Create a Single SPF Record

Merge all the necessary include mechanisms into one v=spf1 record. For example:

txtCopyEditv=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:sendgrid.net include:servers.mcsv.net ~all

🔑 Tip: You can use up to 10 DNS lookups in total (includes include, a, mx, etc.). Exceeding this will break SPF validation.

4. Avoid Duplicates and Redundancies

Don’t repeat mechanisms. For example, if include:spf.protection.outlook.com is already included, don’t add it again.

Also, only one ~all, -all, or ?all should be used at the end. The most common is ~all (soft fail).

5. Test Your New SPF Record

Before deploying, test your new consolidated record using:

• Kitterman SPF Test

• MXToolbox SPF Analyzer

Make sure the record is under 255 characters and fits within DNS size limits.

6. Update Your DNS

Replace existing SPF records with your new one. For example:

txtCopyEditType: TXT  
Name: @  
Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:sendgrid.net ~all

Wait for DNS propagation (usually within a few minutes to a few hours).

7. Monitor Your Email Deliverability

After consolidation, monitor your sending performance:

• Use DMARC reports (if enabled)

• Check spam folders and bounce rates

• Test with tools like Mail Tester