SPF include vs redirect: When to Use Each

November 19, 2025 • InboxGreenEmail Team

🚨 DKIM issues can silently kill replies.

If opens dropped, replies disappeared, or bounces increased, treat it as an incident. Run the scan and get a fix path.

No signup required. Works on any domain.

search Run a Free Domain Check notifications_active Monitor my domain

SPF Include vs Redirect: When to Use Each

As a SaaS founder or marketer, you know that email deliverability can make or break your business. You’ve set up your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, but there’s still confusion about how to manage your SPF entries effectively. Specifically, you might be wondering when to use an SPF include versus an SPF redirect. Let’s break this down in practical terms.

Understanding SPF Basics

Sender Policy Framework (SPF) is a DNS record that helps prevent spoofing by specifying which mail servers are allowed to send emails on behalf of your domain. The two key mechanisms within SPF that we’ll discuss are include and redirect.

What is an SPF Include?

An SPF include statement allows you to incorporate the SPF records of another domain into your own. This is particularly useful when you are using third party services to send emails, like marketing platforms or CRMs. For example, if you are using a service like Mailgun, you would include their SPF record in your own.

v=spf1 include:mailgun.org -all

This tells receiving servers to also check Mailgun's SPF record when validating your emails. If Mailgun is authorized, your email passes SPF checks.

What is an SPF Redirect?

SPF redirect is a more straightforward approach. It essentially tells the receiving server to look at another domain’s SPF record entirely. This is useful when you want to delegate email sending to another domain completely. For example, if you have a subdomain that is managed by another entity, you can redirect to their SPF record.

v=spf1 redirect=otherdomain.com

In this case, all SPF checks for your domain will be handled by the SPF record of otherdomain.com.

When to Use Each

Choosing between include and redirect depends on your specific needs. Here are some scenarios:

  • Use include when:
    • You are using multiple third party services to send emails.
    • You want to maintain control over your own SPF record.
    • You need to add or remove services without affecting other configurations.
  • Use redirect when:
    • Your emails are entirely managed by another domain.
    • You want to simplify your SPF record.
    • You are confident in the SPF setup of the other domain.

Diagnosing SPF Issues

Before making changes, you should diagnose existing SPF issues. Use the InboxGreen checker to see if your SPF record is set up correctly. It will tell you if there are any syntax errors or if your SPF record is too long. Remember, SPF records have a 10 DNS lookup limit. If you exceed this, your SPF will fail.

Here’s a quick checklist for diagnosing SPF issues:

  1. Check your current SPF record using a DNS lookup tool.
  2. Count the number of DNS lookups your record requires.
  3. Look for any syntax errors or misconfigurations.
  4. Verify that all third party services you use are included.

Common Gotchas

Here are some pitfalls to avoid:

  • Using too many includes. Each include counts as a DNS lookup. Keep it simple.
  • Forgetting to update SPF records when changing email services.
  • Not testing after changes. Always send test emails to see if they land in the inbox.
  • Assuming all services handle SPF the same way. Check documentation for each service.

Real-World Example

Let’s say you are using both Mailchimp and SendGrid for your email campaigns. Your SPF record might look like this:

v=spf1 include:mailchimp.com include:sendgrid.net -all

This setup allows both Mailchimp and SendGrid to send emails on your behalf. However, if you decide to switch to a new service, you need to update the SPF record accordingly. If you were to use a redirect instead, it would look something like this:

v=spf1 redirect=yourthirdparty.com

In this case, you are completely relying on the SPF record of your third party service. Make sure you trust their SPF setup.

Next Steps

Now that you understand the differences between SPF include and redirect, it’s time to take action. Start by checking your current SPF setup using the InboxGreen checker. If you need to generate or update your SPF records, our SPF generator can help you create the right configuration.

Don’t forget to review your DKIM and DMARC settings as well. They play a crucial role in your email deliverability strategy. Use our DMARC generator to create a policy that fits your needs.

Finally, always keep an eye on your inbox placement. It’s not just about sending emails; it’s about ensuring they land where they should. Check out our API for programmatic access to email deliverability insights.

Remember, email deliverability is an ongoing process. Keep testing, keep optimizing, and you’ll see the results in your inbox.

Free Deliverability Scan

Check SPF, DKIM, DMARC and List-Unsubscribe for your domain in seconds.