How to Add an SPF Record in Squarespace

The short answer. Add one TXT record in Squarespace with the host @ and a value that starts with v=spf1 and lists every service that sends mail for you, for example v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all. A domain may have only one.

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What an SPF Record Does#

SPF is a list of the servers allowed to send mail for your domain. Receivers check the sending server against it, and mail from anywhere else can be marked as spam or rejected. It is a TXT record at the root of the domain.

Check Where Your DNS Is Managed#

A record only works at the company that answers DNS for the domain, which is not always the one you bought it from. Open DNS Settings for the domain. If Domain Nameservers says Use custom nameservers, the DNS is managed elsewhere and records added under Custom records have no effect.

The SPF Record to Add#

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

The include part depends on who sends your mail. Use the value your mail provider gives you. Two common ones:

A domain that sends no mail at all should say so: v=spf1 -all. Several senders go in one record, each with its own include, before the ending:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:spf.protection.outlook.com ~all

The ending ~all marks other senders as suspicious. -all rejects them. Start with ~all and move to -all when you are sure the list is complete.

Step by Step in Squarespace#

Step 1. Open the domain

Sign in at account.squarespace.com, open Domains and click the domain. Domains that came from Google Domains are managed here too.

Step 2. Open DNS Settings

Click DNS in the domain’s menu, then DNS Settings. Scroll to Custom records.

Step 3. Add a record

Under Custom records click Add record. A row opens with the type first.

Step 4. Enter the SPF record

Choose TXT as the type and fill in the fields:

• Host: @
• Data: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
• TTL: Leave TTL at the default.

The value to copy:

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

Step 5. Save

Click Save. The record joins the Custom records list.

Change an Existing SPF Record#

Look for an existing TXT record at @ that starts with v=spf1 before you add anything. If there is one, edit it instead of adding another. Click the record in Custom records, change it and click Save. Use the trash icon to delete it. Records created by a Squarespace product or preset are managed from that product.

Keep everything that is already allowed and add the new include before the ending. To allow a new service, change:

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

to:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:newservice.example ~all

Common Mistakes#

• Creating a second SPF record. Two records make SPF fail with a permanent error. Merge them into one.
• Replacing the old record instead of adding to it, which drops a sender that was working.
• Going past ten DNS lookups. Every include counts, and so do the ones inside it. Past ten, SPF fails for everyone.
• Ending with +all, which allows the whole internet to send as you.
• Leaving out v=spf1 at the start. Without it the record is not SPF.
• Adding the record while custom nameservers are set. It saves, but nothing queries Squarespace for it.
• Trying to edit a preset record, for example the ones for Google Workspace. Remove the preset first, then add your own.

Check That It Worked#

A TXT lookup for the domain itself should list one value that starts with v=spf1. Send a test email to a Gmail address and check the original message headers for spf=pass. Changes show up as caches expire, usually within minutes for a record and up to two days for nameservers, see how long DNS propagation takes.

More Squarespace DNS Guides#

• How to Add a DMARC Record in Squarespace
• How to Add a TXT Record in Squarespace
• How to Change Nameservers in Squarespace
• How to Add MX Records in Squarespace

The same task elsewhere: Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Hostinger.

Menu names last checked October 2026. Providers rename things now and then; if a label differs, look for the closest match.