Using SPF Records with VPS and Dedicated Hosting
On our VPS and Dedicated hosting plans, email is sent out directly from the server. The default SPF record authorizes the IP address of the VPS or Dedicated server, so each one is different. Here is an example of what the default SPF record would be for a server at 198.51.100.123.
v=spf1 +a +mx +ip4:198.51.100.123 ~all
This record is composed of three parts:
- v=spf1 specifies that this is an SPF record.
- +a +mx +ip4:198.51.100.123 authorizes sending from the domain's A record, MX record, and ipv4 address 198.51.100.123.
- This is the part of the record where you can add IP addresses and include SPF rules for other domains.
- Third-party email marketing tools often require that you update your SPF record to accommodate their servers.
- ~all specifies how hosts should regard servers that are not on the list. There are a few modifies you can use here:
- -all "Hard Fail" means reject all mail that isn't on the allowed list.
- ~all "Soft fail" means accept mail not on the allowed list, but treat it with more scrutiny.
- ?all "Neutral" means accept all mail; there isn't a policy for servers not on the list.
