SPF Setup for Shopify Email
December 23, 2025 • InboxGreenEmail Team
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Introduction
When you're running an online store with Shopify, getting your emails into the inbox is crucial. Whether it’s order confirmations, shipping notifications, or marketing campaigns, if your emails land in spam, you lose sales and trust. One common issue that can cause your emails to be flagged is not having a properly configured SPF record. This is where things can get tricky, especially if you are not familiar with DNS settings. If you notice bounced emails, warnings in Gmail, or find your messages in the spam folder, it’s time to take action.
At a glance
- Who this problem affects: Shopify store owners and marketers.
- What the article will help them do: Set up SPF records to improve email deliverability.
- Key outcome: Better inbox placement and enhanced domain reputation.
When this problem shows up in real life
Imagine you send out a promotional email to your customers, but instead of seeing positive engagement, you get complaints about missing emails. You check your email logs and find entries like:
550 5.7.1 Message rejected due to content restrictionsOr perhaps you receive a support ticket from a customer saying they never got their order confirmation. You look at the headers of your sent emails and see:
Authentication-Results: mx.google.com; spf=fail (google.com: domain of example.com does not designate 192.0.2.1 as permitted sender)These are clear signs that your SPF setup needs attention. Without it, your emails are at risk of being marked as spam or rejected altogether.
Step-by-step: SPF setup for Shopify Email
- Access your DNS settings.
Log in to your domain registrar or DNS hosting provider. This is where you manage your DNS records.
- Locate the SPF record.
If you already have an SPF record, you will need to edit it. If not, you will create a new TXT record.
- Create or update the SPF record.
Your SPF record should include Shopify's sending IP addresses. A typical SPF record for Shopify looks like this:
v=spf1 include:shops.shopify.com ~allThis line allows Shopify to send emails on behalf of your domain. If you have other services sending emails, make sure to include them as well.
- Save your changes.
After editing or creating your SPF record, save the changes. Changes can take some time to propagate, so be patient.
- Verify your SPF record.
Use the SPF generator to check if your SPF record is correctly set up. This tool can help you identify any issues.
Common mistakes
- Missing SPF record.
What you see: Emails are bouncing or going to spam.
Why it is a problem: Without an SPF record, receiving mail servers cannot verify your emails.
What to change: Create an SPF record as shown above.
- Incorrect SPF syntax.
What you see: SPF failures in email headers.
Why it is a problem: A typo or incorrect format can invalidate your SPF record.
What to change: Double-check your SPF syntax using the SPF generator.
- Too many DNS lookups.
What you see: SPF record errors.
Why it is a problem: SPF records are limited to 10 DNS lookups, exceeding this can cause failures.
What to change: Simplify your SPF record by removing unnecessary includes.
- Not including all sending services.
What you see: Some emails still go to spam.
Why it is a problem: If you use multiple services to send emails, missing them in your SPF can lead to issues.
What to change: Ensure all services are included in your SPF record.
Troubleshooting when it still fails
If your emails are still not delivering properly after setting up SPF, check the following:
- Authentication-Results headers show SPF failure.
Likely cause: Your SPF record is either missing or misconfigured.
What to try next: Use the InboxGreen checker to verify your SPF record.
- Emails are still landing in spam.
Likely cause: Other factors like DKIM or DMARC records may not be set up correctly.
What to try next: Check your DKIM and DMARC records using the appropriate tools.
- Receiving server logs show "domain not found".
Likely cause: Your DNS changes have not propagated yet.
What to try next: Wait a few hours and check again.
Related checks you should run
In addition to SPF, consider checking the following:
- DKIM and DMARC alignment.
- DNS TTL and propagation delays.
- Domain reputation, bounces, and spam reports.
- List quality and engagement patterns.
FAQ
Why is SPF still failing on Shopify after I added the record?
SPF failures can occur due to syntax errors in the record or if the record has not propagated yet. Double-check your SPF syntax and ensure it includes all necessary sending services.
How long do DNS changes take to apply on Shopify?
DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate. If you recently made changes, give it some time and check again.
Can I use more than one SPF include with this setup?
Yes, you can include multiple services in your SPF record. Just remember to keep the total DNS lookups under 10 to avoid issues.
What if my emails are still going to spam after setting up SPF?
If your emails are still landing in spam, check your DKIM and DMARC settings. Additionally, monitor your domain's reputation and engagement metrics.
What to do next
Now that you understand how to set up SPF for your Shopify email, take action. First, check your SPF record using the InboxGreen checker. This tool will help you identify any issues. Next, ensure your DKIM and DMARC records are properly configured. Finally, keep an eye on your email deliverability and make adjustments as needed. With these steps, you can improve your inbox placement and maintain a strong domain reputation.
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