SPF Setup for SendGrid

December 15, 2025 • InboxGreenEmail Team

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Setting up SPF for SendGrid can feel daunting, especially if you are new to email authentication. You might be experiencing issues with deliverability, where your emails end up in spam folders or bounce back altogether. This is a common problem for SaaS founders, marketers, and technical teams managing email campaigns. Without proper SPF configuration, your domain's reputation can take a hit, leading to lower inbox placement rates. This becomes urgent when you start seeing bounced emails, spam folder placements, or warnings in Gmail.

At a glance

  • This problem affects anyone using SendGrid for email sending.
  • This article will help you set up SPF records correctly.
  • By following these steps, you will improve your email deliverability and domain reputation.

When this problem shows up in real life

Imagine you are sending out an important marketing campaign through SendGrid, but instead of landing in your customers' inboxes, your emails are going straight to spam. You check your logs and see messages like:

  • 550 5.7.1 Unauthenticated email from example.com is not accepted due to domain's DMARC policy
  • SPF fail for example.com: domain of sender does not match SPF record

These messages indicate that your SPF record is either missing or misconfigured. You might also receive support tickets from users saying they didn’t receive your emails, which can be frustrating.

Step by step: SPF setup for SendGrid

  1. Log in to your DNS provider.

    This could be your domain registrar or a dedicated DNS service. Look for the DNS management section.

  2. Add a new TXT record for SPF.

    Your SPF record should include SendGrid's servers. The basic format looks like this:

    v=spf1 include:sendgrid.net -all

    This record tells receiving mail servers to accept emails from SendGrid on behalf of your domain.

  3. Save your changes.

    Make sure to save the new DNS record. It may take some time to propagate.

  4. Verify your SPF record.

    Use the SPF generator to ensure your record is correctly formatted. You can also check it using the InboxGreen checker.

  5. Test your email deliverability.

    Send a test email to yourself or a colleague and check the headers. Look for the Authentication-Results header to confirm SPF is passing:

    spf=pass (sender IP is 192.0.2.1)

Common mistakes

  • Missing SPF record.

    Symptom: Emails are bouncing back with SPF-related errors.

    Cause: No SPF record exists for your domain.

    Fix: Create an SPF record as shown above.

  • Incorrect SPF syntax.

    Symptom: Emails are being marked as spam.

    Cause: The SPF record is not formatted correctly.

    Fix: Use the SPF generator to ensure proper syntax.

  • Multiple SPF records.

    Symptom: SPF fails with an error message.

    Cause: More than one SPF record exists for the domain.

    Fix: Consolidate all SPF records into a single record.

  • Not including all sending sources.

    Symptom: Some emails are failing SPF checks.

    Cause: Missing other email services in your SPF record.

    Fix: Include all services you use to send emails in the SPF record.

Troubleshooting when it still fails

If your SPF record looks correct but emails still fail, check the following:

  • Authentication-Results header shows SPF fail.

    Likely cause: The sending IP is not included in your SPF record.

    What to try next: Update your SPF record to include the correct IP addresses.

  • Emails landing in spam.

    Likely cause: Poor domain reputation or other authentication issues.

    What to try next: Check your domain reputation with a Blacklist Checker.

  • SPF record not propagating.

    Likely cause: DNS changes take time to propagate.

    What to try next: Wait for up to 48 hours and check again.

Related checks you should run

In addition to SPF, consider checking the following:

  • DKIM and DMARC alignment to further secure your emails.
  • DNS TTL settings to ensure timely updates.
  • Domain reputation, including bounces and spam reports.
  • List quality and engagement patterns to improve deliverability.

FAQ

Why is SPF still failing on SendGrid after I added the record?

This could be due to DNS propagation delays. Changes can take time to update globally. Verify your record using the SPF generator and check again after a few hours.

How long do DNS changes take to apply on SendGrid?

Typically, DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate fully, depending on your DNS provider's settings.

Can I use more than one SPF include with this setup?

Yes, you can include multiple services in your SPF record. Just make sure to follow the correct syntax and keep the total length under 512 characters.

What if my emails are still going to spam after setting up SPF?

Check your DKIM and DMARC settings, as these also affect deliverability. Use tools like the InboxGreen checker to diagnose issues.

What to do next

Now that you have your SPF record set up, it’s time to ensure everything is working smoothly. Run a check with the InboxGreen checker to confirm your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are all in place. This will help you catch any remaining issues and improve your email deliverability.

Free Deliverability Scan

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