# What to Do if Your Domain Has Multiple SPF Records?

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## Table of contents

- What does having multiple SPF records mean?
- How do multiple SPF records get created?
- Why should you avoid multiple SPF records?
- How to check for multiple SPF records
- How to fix multiple SPF records
- Conclusion

If you’re an email marketer, chances are you already know what SPF records are. If you don’t, SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records are [DNS (Domain Name System) entries](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/dns-record/) that ensure only authorized email servers can send emails on behalf of your domain. Think of them as security guards who verify and ensure who can send emails on your behalf.

  

So, what could go wrong there? Well, you may have more than one SPF record.

  

But how do **multiple SPF records** affect you, and how do they happen? This guide will answer all your questions and provide a comprehensive solution. We’ll also explore how to check for and resolve SPF record issues to ensure optimal email security and deliverability.

## What does having multiple SPF records mean?

  

**Having multiple SPF records means more than one set of SPF records is listed in your domain’s DNS settings.**

  

It’s important to note that, technically, a domain should only have one [SPF record.](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/spf/) If you need to include multiple listings, combine them into a single SPF record to ensure everything works correctly. It helps detect and prevent [email spoofing](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/email-spoofing/) and [phishing](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/phishing-email/) attempts.

You may have an SPF record that looks like this:

```

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com -all

```

This record tells everyone that only email servers listed in Google's SPF record can send emails, for example.com. All the others will be rejected.

See what an email marketing expert, Karen Grill, says about having multiple SPF records.

  

<iframe src="https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:share:7208657635921776640" height="661" width="504" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Embedded post"></iframe>

## How do multiple SPF records get created?

Multiple SPF records can occur for a few reasons. They’re usually unintentional. Let’s dive into some common scenarios:

  

1.  **Accidental creation of duplicate records:** Sometimes, businesses accidentally create duplicate SPF records. This can happen when changes are made to email settings without checking existing records.
    

  

2.  **Using different email service providers (ESPs):** When using different [email service providers](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/email-service-provider/) (ESPs), each provider may require its own SPF record. This can lead to multiple SPF records being created. If you’re using two or more ESPs, it’s possible to have conflicting records.
    

  

3.  **Merging domains with SPF record management:** When a company merges with another or acquires a new domain, it can lead to the creation of multiple SPF records. Each domain might have its own SPF record, and combining them can result in several records.
    

## Why should you avoid multiple SPF records?

When you have multiple SPF records, it can confuse email servers. They won’t know which record to follow, leading to security issues and delivery problems. This confusion weakens your domain's protection against fake emails and makes it harder for real emails to reach their intended recipients. Some consequences of having multiple SPF records are:

1.  Email servers can't verify your messages, leading to failed authentication.
    
2.  Without proper authentication, your emails will likely be marked as spam.
    
3.  Frequent SPF failures harm your email reputation as a sender, affecting [email deliverability](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/email-deliverability/).
    

<div class="highlight-gray"> <p> <strong>💡 Related guide: <a href=https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/email-authentication/></strong>Understanding Email Authentication Protocols: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC</a></p> </div>

## How to check for multiple SPF records

You can check for multiple SPF records using two methods. The first method is doing it manually via a terminal, and the second is using online tools.

### Method 1: Manual method

**On Mac or Linux**

**Step 1:** Open the terminal

-   **For Mac:** Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
    
-   **For Linux:** Search "Terminal" in your applications menu or press Ctrl + Alt + T.
    

**Step 2:** Run the command. Type: dig TXT yourdomain.com and press Enter.

**Step 3:** Check the results

-   Look for lines in the answer section. Each line that starts with v=spf1 indicates an SPF record.
    
-   If you see more than one v=spf1 line, you have multiple SPF records.
    
**On Windows**

**Step 1:** Search for "command prompt" or "PowerShell" in the start menu.

**Step 2:** Run the command, dig txt domain.com or nslookup -q=txt domain.com. Replace domain.com with the domain name you want to check and press Enter.

**Step 3:** You will see a list of TXT records associated with the domain. Check the results by reviewing the output for lines that start with v=spf1. Multiple lines mean multiple SPF records.

### Method 2: Using online tools

**Step 1:** Visit an online SPF lookup tool like [Mailmodo’s SPF record checker tool](https://www.mailmodo.com/tools/spf-checker/).

**Step 2:** Type your domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com) into the search box provided on the tool’s page.

**Step 3:** The tool will display the SPF records associated with your domain. If you see more than one record starting with v=spf1, you have multiple SPF records.

Here's how the results will look when you check using Mailmodo's SPF checker tool, as shown in the image below.

![spfcheck.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1744563028/strapi/spfcheck_c8f0eb228e.png)

Both methods will help you identify if you have multiple SPF records and ensure proper email configuration.

## How to fix multiple SPF records

If you find multiple SPF records on your domain, you need to combine them into one. This is done using the DNS management tools provided by your domain registrar or hosting service.

  

Let’s say your domain has these two SPF records:

```

1.  TXT v=spf1 ip4:192.168.0.4 -all
    
2.  TXT v=spf1 include:spf.example.com -all
    

```

Mail servers will ignore both of these because there can only be one SPF record per domain. To fix this, create a new single record that combines both. Your new SPF record would be:

  

```

TXT v=spf1 ip4:192.168.0.4 include:spf.example.com -all

```

Save this new record and delete the original two. Now, your SPF record setup is correct. It will start working once the [DNS changes propagate](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/dns-propagation/). This usually takes less than an hour but can take up to one or two days, depending on the TTL and mail server caching.

  

After making this change, use an SPF record checker tool to verify it’s working.

## Conclusion

Managing SPF records might seem tricky, but understanding how to handle multiple SPF records is crucial for maintaining email security and deliverability. Combining your SPF records into a single, well-structured record ensures that your domain’s emails are authenticated correctly and that you avoid potential issues with email servers. Remember to regularly check your SPF records and use tools to validate them, keeping your email communications secure and efficient.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How do multiple SPF records affect email deliverability?

When an email server receives an email from your domain, it checks the SPF record to verify if the sender is authorized. The server may need to know which one to use if multiple SPF records exist. This can lead to a "PermError" (permanent error), resulting in your email being rejected or not delivered to the recipient's inbox.

### Can I have multiple SPF records for my domain?

No, you should not have multiple SPF records for your domain. SPF specifications only allow one SPF record per domain. Instead, combine all necessary information into a single SPF record.

### How do I know if I have multiple SPF records?

Use the dig command or an online SPF checker tool to see if you have more than one SPF record. Look for multiple v=spf1 entries in the TXT records for your domain.

### What happens if I have multiple SPF records?

Email servers will ignore all SPF records if there are multiple records for a domain. This can lead to authentication failures, emails landing in spam folders, and damage to your sender's reputation.

### How do I merge multiple SPF records into one?

To merge SPF records, create a new SPF record that combines all necessary entries from your existing records. Save this new record and delete the old ones. Use an SPF checker tool to ensure the new record is valid.

### Why is it important to fix multiple SPF records?

Fixing multiple SPF records is important to ensure effective email authentication. It prevents confusion for email servers, improves email deliverability, and protects your domain from unauthorized email sending.

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---

**Author: Himadri Sharma**

Himadri Sharma is a skilled content marketer with 4+ years of experience in creating in-depth, SEO-optimized, long-form content. Her expertise spans PaaS, healthcare, SaaS, and edtech, catering to both B2B and B2C audiences.

