Receiving an error when using HoneyBook's domain tester tool indicates that there is an issue with your integrated email's DKIM or SPF configuration, which can significantly impact email deliverability for your custom domain. This article covers what to do if you got the Invalid SPF record syntax error message.
What this error means | What you'll need to fix it | Where you'll fix it |
While your SPF record is defined, there is an error with the syntax which can cause SPF to be read incorrectly | Information from your domain provider | Your domain provider's management console |
📣 Note
HoneyBook is able to check this record for you and notify you of the error. Updating an SPF record is done outside of HoneyBook and directly in your domain provider's Domain Name System (DNS) settings. HoneyBook is not able to complete this process on your behalf.
If you need further assistance, reach out to your domain provider's support team.
Update your SPF record syntax
Go to your domain provider's management console
If you aren't sure who your domain provider is, use this resource
Enter your domain name (everything after the " @ ") > select Lookup > find the Registrar Information section
Your domain provider is listed as the Name
If you also find a Reseller Information section, you'll find your domain provider's name there instead
In your domain provider's management console, find the page where your update your domain's DNS TXT records
Adjust the SPF records to fix the issues. Here's some common causes of this error message:
Cause of error | How to fix the error |
Multiple SPF records added | Each domain can have only one SPF entry. If you have multiple SPF entries for a single domain, consolidate the SPF records by adding the SPF values of all others tools into one record then deleting the others. For example, if your current SPF record is: v=spf1 include:servers.mcsv.net ~all, and you also need to add Google's SPF, the updated record should be entered as: v=spf1 include:servers.mcsv.net include:_spf.google.com ~all |
SPF record is incorrectly constructed | Check that these are included in the record:
For example, Gmail users should enter their SPF value exactly as v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all |
Here's how to add SPF records for some of the most common providers:
✅ Note
Verify and validate the SPF record for your domain using this tool.
Next steps
Verify your changes
DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to take effect. Once 48 hours passes, run the domain tester again to check if the error was fixed.
If you send more than 5,000 emails per day
If you send more than 5,000 emails per day, Google and Yahoo's email spam filter updates (taking effect February 2024) impact you directly. Once you've verified your DKIM and SPF configuration, you will also need to define DMARC. You can check your DMARC settings using this tool.
Still have questions? Feel free to send us a message by clicking the Question Mark icon on any HoneyBook page. Our team is always happy to help!