---
title: "How AutoSPF Works"
description: "Learn how AutoSPF automatically flattens your SPF record, eliminates the 10-DNS-lookup limit, and improves email deliverability in 60 seconds."
image: "https://autospf.com/images/og-default.png"
canonical: "https://autospf.com/how-it-works/"
---

# How AutoSPF Works

Fix the SPF 10-DNS-lookup limit in 60 seconds. No maintenance, no manual updates, no stress.

[ Fix My SPF Record Now → ](/pricing/) [ View Plans & Pricing ](/pricing/) 

AutoSPF - 60 Second Setup 

See AutoSPF fix a broken SPF record in under 60 seconds - from login to done.

1

## The Problem: The SPF 10-DNS-Lookup Limit

**Sender Policy Framework (SPF)** is a DNS record that tells receiving mail servers which IP addresses are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. Every time you add an email service -- Google Workspace, Salesforce, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Zendesk -- your SPF record grows.

Each `include` mechanism triggers a DNS lookup, and [RFC 7208](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7208#section-4.6.4) imposes a hard limit of **10 DNS lookups** per SPF evaluation. Most businesses today use 5 to 15+ third-party email services.

When your SPF record exceeds 10 lookups, it returns a `permerror`:

Emails fail SPF authentication silently 

Your domain becomes vulnerable to spoofing 

Email deliverability drops without warning 

DMARC alignment breaks, affecting sender reputation 

Customers miss invoices and sales follow-ups land in spam 

2

## The Solution: Automatic SPF Flattening

AutoSPF eliminates the 10-lookup limit entirely by **automatically flattening and compressing** all of your included domains into resolved IP addresses, then serving them through a single managed SPF entry.

Resolves all nested includes  \-- Every include, redirect, and nested SPF mechanism is recursively resolved down to its underlying IP addresses and CIDR ranges. 

Replaces your entire SPF record  \-- A single managed entry that points to AutoSPF, consuming just 1 DNS lookup instead of 10+. 

Monitors and rescans every 15 minutes  \-- When Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, or any provider changes their IP ranges, AutoSPF detects it and updates your record automatically. 

De-duplicates overlapping IP ranges  \-- Providers often share infrastructure; AutoSPF consolidates redundant netblocks to keep your record compact. 

Supports macro-based SPF  \-- For organizations with truly large sender ecosystems, AutoSPF uses SPF macros to support unlimited includes without any lookup limit at all. 

3

## The Result: 3 Steps, 60 Seconds

1 

### Sign Up & Add Your Domain

Create your AutoSPF account and enter the domain you want to protect. AutoSPF immediately scans your existing SPF record. Takes about 30 seconds.

2 

### Replace Your SPF Record

AutoSPF generates a new SPF record. Copy it, go to your DNS provider, and replace your existing SPF TXT record. One copy-paste operation.

### Done!

There is no step 3\. AutoSPF takes over -- monitoring, flattening, updating, and optimizing your SPF record continuously. You never need to touch it again.

If setup takes longer than 60 seconds, your first year is free.

Always-On Optimization 

## What Happens Behind the Scenes

Automatic flattening -- All included domains are resolved to IP addresses and compressed 

Real-time DNS sync via Cloudflare -- Changes propagate globally within seconds 

Continuous monitoring every 15 minutes -- Catches IP range changes as they happen 

Automatic updates -- No tickets, no manual changes, no downtime 

Netblock de-duplication -- Overlapping CIDR ranges consolidated for efficiency 

DMARC alignment maintained -- SPF stays valid and aligned with your DMARC policy 

The AutoSPF Advantage 

## Why AutoSPF Is Different

| AutoSPF              | Typical Competitors       |                                   |
| -------------------- | ------------------------- | --------------------------------- |
| Lookup limit         | Eliminated via macros     | Still limited by chained includes |
| DNS availability     | 99.99% SLA via Cloudflare | Varies                            |
| Update frequency     | Every 15 minutes          | Hourly or daily                   |
| Security             | SOC-2 Type II Report      | Rarely certified                  |
| Maintenance required | Zero after setup          | Periodic manual review            |
| Trusted by           | 2,000+ businesses         | \--                               |

## Fix Your SPF Record in 60 Seconds

Stop losing emails to a problem that was solved years ago. Replace one DNS record and never think about SPF lookup limits again.

[Start Free Trial→](https://app.autospf.com/login)[View Plans & Pricing](/pricing/)

Rated 5/5 on G2 · Trusted since 2018 

##  Setup in Seconds, Results Forever 

### "Simple Solution for a Large Problem"

> Simple to use and easy to deploy! Moreover, administration and maintenance of our SPF record is super simple. 

 GG 

Glenn G.

 Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) 

### "A very professional service"

> The service is simple, easy, and fast and has a straightforward dashboard for updating the data. The team is very kind, and helpful with fast replies. Basically jumping into our help. Top service with top experts! 

 MK 

Mihai K.

 Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) 

### "Robust and useful product with incredible support"

> AutoSPF is a simple tool to solve a significant problem. It does it so very well without any issues. Additionally, the support is very professional and goes above and beyond to help resolve any email-related issues for their customers. 

 VU 

Verified User

 Insurance · Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 

[Read our reviews on G2 ](https://www.g2.com/products/autospf/reviews)

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