The SPF check failed Gmail is an error message/ status that pops up due to a non-existing or existing but not published SPF record for an organization’s domain. This issue may also be prompted due to third-party spam filters or erroneous SPF TXT records, affecting the security and delivery of emails.
An invalid SPF record also impedes the DKIM and DMARC operation system in a way that causes issues with the authentication of email messages sent from official domains. It creates problems for Google to point to an SPF record and retrieve information to determine if a specific IP address or mail server user is authorized to send an email message to a recipient.
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2 Ways to Fix SPF Check Failed Gmail Error for SPF DNS Records
Creating and maintaining SPF records protects a number of your clients, prospects, and employees from becoming victims of spoofing and phishing attacks smartly attempted by impersonating someone from your company. You can get rid of the SPF check failed Gmail error by taking these steps-
1. No Misconfigurations, Syntax Errors, or Typos
Regular SPF checks help you understand problems existing in your TXT record that you can remediate for the best email delivery and authentication. One of these reasons causes SPF authentication and validation issues-
- Use of the +all mechanism
- SPF-type DNS used
- Spaces before or after the string
- Use of PTR mechanism
- Existence of multiple SPF records
- Spelling errors
- Exceeding the SPF DNS lookup limit
- Exceeding the void lookup limit
- Inclusion of a problem-causing SMTP mail server or IP address that is permitted to send emails on behalf of your organization.
2. Inclusion of Only Valid Sender Domain
Mail servers refer to the FROM address field to check if the right domain name has been used, which verifies that the email has come from a legitimate sender. They also evaluate whether the domain and MX record point to the valid domain address or not.
Also, add the IP addresses of third parties (for example- an outsourced marketing service provider) who send emails on your behalf.