Email Authentication Setup Guides
Step-by-step SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configuration guides for every major email service.
Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for your email services. Each guide walks through the exact DNS records needed, common pitfalls, and how to verify your configuration.
Not sure where to start? Check your current SPF record →
Email Providers
These are your primary mailbox providers — where your team sends and receives day-to-day email.
- Google Workspace — SPF uses ~3–4 lookups
- Microsoft 365 — SPF uses ~2–3 lookups
- GoDaddy Email (Microsoft 365) — SPF uses ~2–3 lookups
- Zoho Mail — SPF uses ~1–2 lookups
Marketing & Automation Platforms
These send campaigns, newsletters, and automated sequences on behalf of your domain.
- Mailchimp — SPF uses ~1–2 lookups
- HubSpot — SPF uses ~1–2 lookups
- Klaviyo — SPF uses ~1–2 lookups
- Constant Contact — SPF uses ~1–2 lookups
- Brevo (Sendinblue) — SPF uses ~1–2 lookups
Transactional Email Services
Developer-oriented platforms for application-generated emails — password resets, receipts, notifications.
- SendGrid — SPF uses ~2 lookups
- Amazon SES — SPF uses ~1 lookup
- Postmark — SPF uses ~1 lookup
- Mailgun — SPF uses ~1–2 lookups
Customer Support Platforms
These send ticket replies, notifications, and satisfaction surveys as your domain.
E-commerce & Website Builders
Transactional emails from your online store — order confirmations, shipping updates, form notifications.
- Shopify — SPF uses ~1–2 lookups
- Squarespace — SPF uses ~1–2 lookups
- Wix — SPF uses ~1–2 lookups
Understanding SPF Lookups
Every service you add to your SPF record consumes DNS lookups. The SPF specification allows a maximum of 10 lookups per record. Exceeding this limit causes a permanent error — the SPF check fails completely for all messages.
Some services are heavier than others. Freshdesk, for example, consumes approximately 6 lookups due to nested includes, while Amazon SES uses only 1. Planning your SPF record around these costs prevents authentication failures as you add services.
Use the SenderClarity SPF Checker to see your current lookup count, including all nested includes, displayed as an interactive tree.
Need More Help?
SenderClarity monitors your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations continuously and provides actionable guidance to improve your email security and deliverability.