Updated Nov 1, 2023
After connecting an email address to Dubsado, Dubsado automatically checks your SPF record status. When you go to Settings > Emails and scroll down to Email Deliverability, you may see a status that says “Your SPF record could not be verified”.
This error message occurs if you’re using a custom domain email address and Dubsado wasn’t able to verify that your domain host has an SPF record of that email address. To fix this, you’ll want to create an SPF record with your domain host.
Setting up an SPF record involves getting the SPF value from your email host, adding that SPF value to your domain host, and verifying that the SPF value works. The steps below outline how to complete this process.
Step 1: Find your email host’s SPF record
Adding an SPF record to your domain host indicates that your email host is allowed to send emails using your domain name. This helps to reduce the chances of your emails being marked as spam.
SPF records are provided by your email host (not by Dubsado) because each email provider has its own unique SPF record. It may look similar to the example below:
Type | Host | Value | TTL |
TXT | @ | v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all | 1 hour |
When formatting SPF records, most email hosts format their SPF records as a TXT type. This is because TXT records allow the data from the SPF record to translate to a wider range of domain hosts and reduce the chances of an error.
To find the SPF record of your email host, reach out to them directly or go to their help center and search “SPF record”.
Common email host SPF records
For your convenience, we’ve compiled common email host SPF records into the table below:
Field | Text to input |
Type | TXT |
Host (May also be called Name) | @ |
Value (May also be called Data) | Google: Microsoft: GoDaddy: Zoho: Any other SMTP connection: |
TTL | Google: 1 hour Microsoft: Default GoDaddy: Default Zoho: 12 hours Any other SMTP connection: Default |
After you have your email host’s SPF value, the next step involves adding it as a TXT record with your domain host.
Step 2: Create a TXT record with your domain host
Please keep in mind that each domain host is different and may have different steps in creating a new TXT record! Regardless of your host, you’ll most likely have to find your domain host’s DNS (domain server name) settings page. From this page, look for an option to create a TXT record.
To further assist you, we’ve compiled instructions on how to add an SPF record with common domain hosts. The information below is subject to change, so we recommend going directly to your domain host’s help center.
⛔ Heads up! If you already have an existing SPF record with your domain host, you’ll need to merge multiple SPF records because you can only have one SPF record per domain.
Add to GoDaddy
To add an SPF record, go directly to GoDaddy's article or follow our instructions below:
Log into your GoDaddy account.
Click on your profile name > My Products.
In the Domains section, locate your domain and click DNS.
Under the DNS records section, click Add New Record. Additional fields will appear.
In the Type dropdown, select TXT.
In the Name field, type @.
In the Value field, type your email host’s SPF value (see the SPF table above).
In the TTL field, leave it at Default or type your email host’s specific TTL.
Click Save.
Add to Bluehost
To add an SPF record, go directly to Bluehost’s article or follow our instructions below:
Log into your Bluehost account.
Click Domains > My Domains.
Next to the Manage button for your domain, click on the down arrow > DNS.
Under DNS Manager, scroll down to the TXT section and click Add Record. Additional fields will appear.
In the Host Record field, type @.
In the TXT Value field, type your email host’s SPF value (see the SPF table above).
In the TTL dropdown, select 4 Hours or your email host’s specific TTL.
Click Save.
Add to Namecheap
To add an SPF record, go directly to Namecheap's article or follow our instructions below:
Log into your Namecheap account.
From the sidebar, click Domain List.
Next to your domain, click the Manage button.
Click the Advanced DNS tab.
Select the Add New Record button at the bottom. Additional fields will appear.
In the Type dropdown, select TXT.
In the Host field, type @.
In the Value field, type your email host’s SPF value (see the SPF table above).
In the TTL field, leave it at Automatic or type your email host’s specific TTL.
Click Save.
Add to Squarespace
To add an SPF record, go directly to Squarespace's article or follow our instructions below:
Log into your Squarespace account.
From the sidebar, go to Settings > Domains.
Select your domain.
Next to DNS settings, click Edit.
Under the Custom Records section, click the Add Record button. Additional fields will appear.
In the Host field, type @.
In the Type dropdown, select TXT.
In the Data field, type your email host’s SPF value (see the SPF table above).
Click Save.
Add to Wix
To add an SPF record, go directly to Wix's article or follow our instructions below:
Log into your Wix account.
Next to your domain, click the ellipses (…) > Manage DNS Records.
Under the TXT (Text) section, click the + Add Record link.
In the Host Name field, leave this blank.
In the Value field, type your email host’s SPF value (see the SPF table above).
In the TTL field, leave it at one hour or type your email host’s specific TTL.
Click Save.
Step 3: Verify in Dubsado
After you’ve added the TXT record to your domain host, head back to Dubsado. Under Settings > Emails, click Verify to remove the error message. If no changes occur, there are two possibilities:
Your domain host hasn’t yet been updated with the new TXT record. There is a waiting period called propagation, where it can take up to 48 hours for the new record to be recognized across the internet. During this waiting period, periodically click Verify in Dubsado until you no longer receive the error message.
There is an issue with the TXT record. If it has been more than 48 hours since you added the new TXT record with your domain host, then please go back to your domain host to ensure that the TXT record is correct. Double-check:
SPF value. Confirm with your email host that you have the correct values.
Record type. Make sure you entered the SPF record as a TXT type, not as an SPF type with your domain host.
All spelling and capitalization. TXT records are case-sensitive!
Missing or incorrect symbols.