Ensure your emails reach supporters' inboxes by authorizing trusted senders like Data Talks CDP through SPF.
What is SPF and Why It’s Important
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is an email authentication standard that helps prevent spoofing—when someone tries to send email pretending to be you. SPF allows you to declare which mail servers are permitted to send emails on behalf of your domain.
In the context of Data Talks CDP, configuring SPF ensures that your email communications—such as ticket confirmations, newsletters, or promotions—are delivered securely and aren’t flagged as spam or phishing by your supporters’ email providers.
How SPF Works (In Simple Terms)
When an email is sent using your domain, the receiving mail server checks your domain’s DNS records for an SPF policy. If the sending server is listed in the policy, the email is accepted. If not, it may be rejected or sent to spam.
By including Data Talks’ sending infrastructure (like Amazon SES) in your SPF record, you tell email providers:
🗣️ “This is a trusted sender—I’ve authorized it.”
How to Add or Update an SPF Record
You can find your Sender Domain Configurations in the Email Configuration menu, under the Admin section of the left-side menu of the Data Talks CDP. Keep in mind that you are allowed to set multiple Email sender domains in Data Talks.
To configure SPF, you need to add a TXT record to your domain's DNS settings. This process depends on your DNS or hosting provider.
SPF Record Example:
If you don’t already have an SPF record, add this TXT record:
v=spf1 include:amazonses.com ~all
If you already have an SPF record, add include:amazonses.com like this:
v=spf1 include:yourdomain.com include:amazonses.com ~all
🔁 The
~alltag means “soft fail”—emails from unauthorized servers may still be delivered but marked suspicious. For stricter enforcement later, you can switch to-all.
Where to Add the SPF Record
Here are links to DNS configuration guides for some popular providers:
| DNS/Hosting provider | Documentation |
| GoDaddy | Add an SPF record |
| DreamHost | Add an SPF record |
| Cloudflare | Managing DNS records in Cloudflare |
| HostGator | SPF Records |
| Names.co.uk | Changing your domains DNS settings |
| Namecheap | How do I add TXT/SPF/DKIM/DMARC records for my domain? |
| Loopia | SPF |
| Wix | Adding or Updating SPF Records in Your Wix Account |
| WordPress.com | Manage Your DNS Records – WordPress.com |
| SquareSpace | Adding custom DNS records to your Squarespace domain |
| Joomla | DNS Management – Joomla! Domains by BRANDIT |
| Shopify | Editing the DNS settings for your Shopify-managed domain |
💡 If your provider isn’t listed, search “[Your Provider] + Add SPF record” or contact their support for help.