Setting Up SPF Records in GoDaddy

GoDaddy is a popular domain registrar and DNS provider. This guide shows you how to configure SPF records in GoDaddy's DNS Management interface.

Prerequisites

• GoDaddy account with your domain
• Access to DNS Management
• Your SPF record ready to publish

Step 1: Access GoDaddy DNS Management

1. Log in to your GoDaddy account
2. Go to My Products or Domains
3. Find your domain and click DNS (or Manage DNS)
4. You'll see your DNS records

Step 2: Check for Existing SPF Record

Before adding a new SPF record, check if one already exists:

Look for:

• TXT records with Name: @
• Records containing v=spf1 in the Value field

If an SPF record exists:

• You need to edit it, not create a new one
• Only ONE SPF record is allowed per domain
• Multiple SPF records cause validation errors

Step 3: Add or Edit SPF Record

Option A: Adding New SPF Record

1. Scroll to the Records section
2. Find the TXT records section
3. Click Add (or + button)
4. Fill in the fields:

Example:

Name: @
Type: TXT
Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com -all
TTL: 600

5. Click Save

Option B: Editing Existing SPF Record

1. Find your existing SPF TXT record
2. Click the Edit icon (pencil) next to the record
3. Update the Value field with your new SPF record
4. Click Save

Step 4: Verify SPF Record

In GoDaddy

1. Return to DNS Management
2. Verify your SPF record appears in the TXT records list
3. Check that Name field shows @
4. Verify Value field contains your SPF record

Using MailSentinel

1. Add your domain to MailSentinel
2. Run DNS scan
3. Verify SPF record is detected
4. Check validation status

Using Online Tools

• MXToolbox: https://mxtoolbox.com/spf.aspx
• SPF Validator: https://www.dmarcanalyzer.com/spf-check/
• GoDaddy DNS Checker

Common SPF Record Examples

Google Workspace Only

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

GoDaddy Configuration:

• Name: @
• Type: TXT
• Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com -all
• TTL: 600

Microsoft 365 Only

v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all

Multiple Services

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:sendgrid.net include:servers.mcsv.net -all

Troubleshooting GoDaddy SPF Issues

Issue 1: SPF Record Not Detected

Symptoms:

• SPF checkers don't find your record
• MailSentinel shows "No SPF record"

Solutions:

1. Verify Record Location

   • Name field should be @
   • Not on a subdomain
   • Check exact domain name

2. Check Record Format

   • Ensure v=spf1 is present
   • No extra spaces or line breaks
   • GoDaddy may add quotes automatically

3. Wait for Propagation

   • GoDaddy DNS changes can take 15-60 minutes
   • Some DNS checkers cache results
   • Try multiple DNS checkers

4. Check Nameservers

   • Ensure GoDaddy nameservers are active
   • Verify domain is using GoDaddy DNS
   • Check domain status is active

Issue 2: Multiple SPF Records

Symptoms:

• "Multiple SPF records" error
• SPF validation fails

Solutions:

1. Find All SPF Records:

   • Look for all TXT records with v=spf1
   • Check both root and subdomains

2. Merge Records:

   • Combine all includes into one record
   • Keep only one SPF record

3. Delete Duplicates:

   • Click Delete next to duplicate records
   • Keep only the merged record
   • Confirm deletion

Issue 3: Record Not Saving

Symptoms:

• Changes don't persist
• Record disappears after saving

Solutions:

1. Check Permissions:

   • Ensure you have account access
   • Verify domain is unlocked
   • Contact GoDaddy support if needed

2. Verify Format:

   • Check for special characters
   • Ensure proper format
   • Try without quotes (GoDaddy may add them)

3. Clear Browser Cache:

   • Clear browser cache
   • Try different browser
   • Log out and back in

Issue 4: DNS Lookup Limit Exceeded

Symptoms:

• "Too many DNS lookups" error
• SPF validation fails

Solutions:

1. Count Your Lookups:

   • Each include: counts as 1+ lookups
   • Maximum is 10 lookups total
   • Use SPF checker to see breakdown

2. Reduce Lookups:

   • Remove unused includes
   • Use subdomains for some services
   • Flatten includes to IP ranges (if possible)

GoDaddy-Specific Features

DNS Management Interface

New Interface:

• Modern, user-friendly interface
• Easy to add/edit records
• Clear record organization

Legacy Interface:

• Older interface still available
• Similar functionality
• May look different

TTL Settings

Available Options:

• 600 seconds (10 minutes)
• 3600 seconds (1 hour)
• Custom values

Recommendation:

• Use 600 for faster changes
• Use 3600 for stability
• Lower TTL before making changes

Domain Lock Status

Important:

• Domain should be unlocked for DNS changes
• Locked domains may prevent changes
• Check domain lock status

Best Practices for GoDaddy SPF

1. Use Root Domain

• Always add SPF at root domain (@)
• Not on subdomains
• Ensures proper validation

2. Single SPF Record

• Only ONE SPF record per domain
• Merge multiple records if needed
• Delete duplicates immediately

3. Regular Audits

• Review SPF records quarterly
• Remove unused includes
• Check lookup count
• Verify all services still needed

4. Test Before Production

• Use test subdomain first
• Verify SPF validation
• Check lookup count
• Then apply to production

5. Monitor Changes

• Use MailSentinel to monitor SPF
• Set up alerts for changes
• Track validation status
• Review DMARC reports

Common GoDaddy Scenarios

Using GoDaddy DNS

If DNS is managed by GoDaddy:

• Use DNS Management interface
• Follow standard process
• Changes propagate quickly

Using External DNS

If DNS is managed elsewhere:

• Don't add records in GoDaddy
• Add records at actual DNS provider
• Check nameservers first

Domain Transfer

After transferring domain:

• Verify nameservers are correct
• Check DNS records migrated
• Update SPF if needed

Next Steps

After setting up SPF in GoDaddy:

1. Configure DKIM - Set up DKIM signing
2. Set Up DMARC - Configure DMARC policy
3. Monitor SPF - Track validation status
4. Set Up Alerts - Get notified of issues

Additional Resources

• GoDaddy DNS Help - GoDaddy support
• SPF Configuration Guide - Complete SPF setup guide
• GoDaddy DNS Management - DNS management guide