Please note: These instructions changed on October 11, 2024. Previously you were instructed to create a record with
a:spf.mayfirst.org, now you should create a record withinclude:_spf.mayfirst.org
Sender Policy Framework is a system designed to help reduce spam. If you implement SPF for your domain, you will not reduce spam sent to your email accounts. However, you may reduce spam sent to other people claiming to come from your domain.
And, more importantly, if you create an SPF record then your email will be less likely to end up in your recipient's spam folder.
If you would like to add an SPF record, follow our directions on adding DNS records to create:
v=spf1 include:_spf.mayfirst.org ~allPlease see below for more information, especially if you send email using other providers.
May First maintains an SPF lookup domain name for you to use that includes all the IP addresses that are allowed to send email from our record. It's called: _spf.mayfirst.org.
If you only send email via May First, you can create an SPF record with the following information in the Text field:
v=spf1 include:_spf.mayfirst.org ~all
If you send email from May First and you also send email from a different location (for example, you send email using May First email list software but you typically relay your normal email through a different provider), then you will need to create an SPF record that has both include:_spf.mayfirst.org and whatever your other providers has designated for SPF records (e.g. include:_spf.google.com if you send email via Gmail).
The squiggle before the "all" means that if an email from you fails, it will be considered a "soft" fail. Technically that means the server should accept it but may mark is as dubious (most likely it will end up the spam folder).
For information on how to construct an SPF record, please see the OpenSPF web site. Warning: it's complicated!