Updated Nov 1, 2023

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a security method that helps authenticate outgoing emails from custom domain email addresses. After you connect an email address to Dubsado, Dubsado automatically checks for an SPF record.

Having an SPF record with your domain host helps your email host recognize that any emails sent through Dubsado are legitimate. It reduces the chances of your emails ending up in spam and improves email security.

In Dubsado, the option to set up SPF only appears after you’ve already connected an email from Settings > Emails. Be sure to do that first!

There are three types of statuses that may appear in Dubsado in Settings > Emails.

You may see one of two successful SPF record messages:

Both mean that no further action is needed from you!

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. For instructions, please see our article on adding an SPF record.

The existing SPF record on file with your domain provider has an error. For further assistance, please see our help article on invalid SPF records or reach out to your email and domain host.

To set up SPF for a custom domain email address:

You can’t have multiple SPF records within your domain host’s settings page. Having multiple SPF records may result in errors or non-deliverable emails. Please see our help article on merging multiple SPF records.

No, remove them. Emails you send from Dubsado go out through your email host, so your SPF record only needs the value your email host provides. Dubsado entries aren’t needed, and some of them can cause your SPF check to fail, which makes your emails more likely to land in spam.

Check your domain host’s DNS settings and delete any of these from your SPF record:

Keep everything else, including your email host’s value. For example, v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com a:spf.dubsado.com ~all becomes v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all. If Dubsado entries were the only thing in your record, replace the whole record with your email host’s SPF value.

When you have a custom domain for your website (examplewebsite.com), that domain requires a host. You may also have a custom email that you use (hello@examplewebsite.com). This custom email is maintained by your email host. Your email host might be the same as your domain host, but it might also be different. For example, your domain might be hosted by Cloudflare, while your email is hosted through Google.

Your email host will provide the SPF record value that you need to add to your domain host’s DNS settings page. If you need help, start by reaching out to the support for your domain host.

Yes. If you move your domain to a new host, you will need to repeat the setup process with your new domain host.

Although setting up an SPF record helps reduce emails ending up in spam, spam filters change frequently and it can’t be prevented every time. See our help article for additional tips on keeping your emails out of spam.

Unfortunately, Dubsado isn't able to provide additional support for setup questions specific to your domain host. Please contact your domain host directly for assistance.