# SPF Configuration on OVH: A Step-by-Step Guide

## How to Set Up an SPF Record on OVHcloud

- **Step 1:** Log in to your [OVHcloud account](https://www.ovhcloud.com/)
- **Step 2:** In the Control Panel, click on **My Products and Services**
- **Step 3:** Click on **See All**, then select the domain you want to update
- **Step 4:** Navigate to the **DNS Zone** tab
- **Step 5:** Check if an SPF record already exists. You cannot have multiple SPF records, as this would cause issues during authentication.
  - Look for a TXT record that starts with **v=spf1**.
  - **If it exists**, do **not** create a new one. Instead, **edit** the existing record.
  - To include Google Workspace, for example, copy only this part:
  - **include:_spf.google.com**
  - Add it to your existing record like so:
  - **v=spf1 include:somesendingserver.net include:_spf.google.com ~all**
  - **Note:** SPF has a DNS lookup limit of 10. Ensure to remove unnecessary servers from your record.
- **Step 6:** **Find out what SPF records you need**
  - Make a list of all services that send email on your behalf (e.g., Google Workspace, Mailgun, SendGrid).
  - Then, check their documentation for the correct **include:** SPF syntax.
  - Example:
    - Google Workspace → **include:_spf.google.com**
    - Mailgun → **include:mailgun.org**
    - SendGrid → **include:sendgrid.net**
- **Step 7:** If no SPF record exists, click **Add an entry**
- **Step 8:** Select **TXT** as the record Type
- **Step 9:** Enter your SPF record in the **Target** field  
  - Example:  
  - **v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:mailgun.org ~all**  
  - **Important:** Under **Domain**, enter: **yourdomain.com.**  
  - You must append the dot (.) — OVH does **not** add it automatically
- **Step 10:** Leave the **TTL** at the default value (usually 3600 seconds). Lowering it temporarily may help your record become active sooner.
- **Step 11:** Click **Save**

## When Does My SPF Record Become Active?

Your record will normally propagate within a few hours.

However, sometimes, DNS changes can take up to three days.

You can use a tool like MXToolbox to verify the status of your record.

The status indicator next to SPF will turn green if you’ve configured your SPF record correctly.

## SPF record not working?

If after waiting for a day or two, your SPF record is still not working…

Let’s double-check its syntax.

You see, even the slightest error or typo, like an additional space, can render your record useless.

## SPF Explained: Stop Email Spoofing Before It Starts

The way regular email works makes it super easy for criminals to pretend to send email from a trusted domain. This is called **email spoofing**.

SPF, which stands for Sender Policy Framework, aims to prevent this by letting you decide what email servers can send from your domain. You can specify this in an **SPF record**.

## What does an SPF record look like?

An SPF record is a DNS TXT record. It looks like a line of code.

Here’s another example:

> **v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all**

In the example above, Google’s servers are authorized to send from the domain.

## Mailivery's Free SPF Record Generator

Creating the correct SPF record to add to your domain’s DNS records can be challenging.

That’s why we created a free SPF Record Generator.

## You Need More than Just SPF to Reach the Inbox

Setting up SPF is a good step toward better inbox placement for your cold emails.

However, SPF is part of a trio of email authentication protocols that form the frontline defense against phishing and spoofing. The other two are DKIM and DMARC.

## Next Step: Email Warm Up

After setting up your email authentication records, it’s time to warm up your email.

_What is email warm-up?_

It's the process of gradually increasing the number of emails you send to establish a sender reputation while also getting engagement for your emails.