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Fix the "Invalid SPF record syntax" error message
Fix the "Invalid SPF record syntax" error message

How to resolve an invalid SPF record syntax error with your custom domain

Updated over 5 months ago

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

  1. Go to your domain provider's management console

    1. If you aren't sure who your domain provider is, use this resource

    2. Enter your domain name (everything after the " @ ") > select Lookup > find the Registrar Information section

    3. Your domain provider is listed as the Name

  2. If you also find a Reseller Information section, you'll find your domain provider's name there instead

  3. In your domain provider's management console, find the page where your update your domain's DNS TXT records

  4. 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:

  • At the start: v=spf1

  • At the end: ?all OR -all OR ~all

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!

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