Summary
Resolving SPF record lookup limits with Netfirms webmail involves a multi-faceted approach. Since SPF records have a hard limit of 10 DNS lookups, exceeding this limit will cause authentication failures and harm email deliverability. Experts and marketers recommend a combination of strategies including, migrating to a dedicated provider like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for greater SPF record control, using subdomains for various services to segment SPF records, and leveraging hosted SPF services or SPF flattening to reduce DNS lookups. Also ensure proper include statements, remove redundancies and switch away from services that generate too many lookups.
Key findings
- SPF Lookup Limit: SPF records have a hard limit of 10 DNS lookups.
- Provider Bloat: Netfirms and similar providers often have bloated SPF records.
- Subdomain Segregation: Using subdomains for different services helps to manage SPF records and avoid the 10 lookup limit.
- SPF Flattening: SPF flattening and third-party SPF management services can help to reduce lookup counts.
- Deliverability Impact: Exceeding the SPF lookup limit leads to authentication failures and harms email deliverability.
Key considerations
- Complaint to Provider: Complain to Netfirms about their excessive SPF record usage.
- Migration: Consider migrating to a dedicated email provider with better SPF control.
- SPF Management: Implement SPF flattening or use a hosted SPF service for optimized record management.
- Record Review: Routinely review and remove redundant or obsolete include statements from your SPF record.
- Service Selection: Choose email services that provide simple and efficient SPF records to minimize lookup count.
What email marketers say
9 marketer opinions
When facing SPF record lookup limits with Netfirms webmail, several strategies can be employed. These include using hosted SPF services, separating sending domains with subdomains, migrating to a dedicated email provider (like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365), and employing SPF flattening. Reviewing and streamlining the existing SPF record by removing redundant 'include' statements is also recommended. Ensuring correct 'include' statements for services like Google Apps is crucial. Third-party email services with simple SPF 'include' statements can consolidate lookups. Finally, the limited number of DNS lookups allowed by SPF, means that using services that create too many lookups should be avoided, or switching to a different provider with better SPF records.
Key opinions
- Lookup Limit Issue: Netfirms webmail and similar services often have bloated SPF records exceeding the 10 DNS lookup limit.
- Subdomain Solution: Using subdomains for different services (e.g., marketing, transactional) can help manage SPF records more effectively.
- SPF Flattening: SPF flattening reduces DNS lookups by resolving 'include' statements into individual IP addresses.
- Third-Party Services: Third-party email services offer simpler SPF records, consolidating lookups.
- Correct Includes: Ensuring correct and updated 'include' statements (e.g., for Google Apps) is essential to avoid unnecessary lookups.
- Provider Problems: Some services have bloated SPF records, exceeding limits
Key considerations
- Hosted SPF: Consider using a hosted SPF service to manage SPF records and stay within the lookup limit.
- Migration: Evaluate migrating to a dedicated email provider for greater control over SPF records.
- Record Review: Regularly review and streamline the SPF record to remove redundant or unnecessary 'include' statements.
- Flattening Risks: Be cautious when using SPF flattening, as it can create very long SPF records that need monitoring.
- Service Choice: Carefully evaluate the SPF records of any email services, and choose providers with efficient methods.
Marketer view
Email marketer from AuthSMTP.com recommends using a third-party email service that provides a simple, single 'include' statement for SPF. This consolidates multiple lookups into one, freeing up space for other services.
1 Dec 2024 - authsmtp.com
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests separating sending domains by concern (e.g., marketing, transactional) using subdomains as a best practice. He suggests obscuring large sender lists in public DNS and using a single place to manage SPF records to smooth transitions.
8 Feb 2022 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
Experts suggest several approaches to resolve SPF record lookup limits with Netfirms webmail. Utilizing subdomains for other services helps bypass the limit, although it's also advised to complain to Netfirms about their excessive SPF record. If the apex domain isn't used elsewhere, the limit might not be a direct issue, but the underlying implication is that Netfirms' mail service may not be optimal. The 'include' and 'redirect' mechanisms contribute to the lookup count, leading some to recommend switching away from services that consume too many lookups. Exceeding the SPF lookup limit results in a 'permerror,' which harms deliverability by negating SPF authentication, necessitating regular monitoring of SPF records.
Key opinions
- Subdomain Bypass: Using subdomains can work around SPF lookup limits.
- Service Quality: Netfirms' mail service may not be optimal due to excessive SPF lookups.
- Lookup Mechanisms: 'Include' and 'redirect' mechanisms contribute to the lookup count.
- Deliverability Impact: Exceeding the lookup limit results in a 'permerror', harming deliverability.
- Monitor Records: Monitoring SPF records is essential to stay within the limit.
Key considerations
- Complain to Netfirms: Consider complaining to Netfirms about their excessive SPF record.
- Switch Provider: If email is critical, consider switching to a more reliable provider.
- Apex Usage: Evaluate whether the apex domain is used elsewhere before taking action.
- Limit Mechanisms: Be mindful of 'include' and 'redirect' mechanisms.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggests using subdomains for other services to work around SPF record limits and recommends complaining to Netfirms about their excessive SPF record.
18 Jul 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that SPF 'include' and 'redirect' mechanisms count against the 10 DNS lookup limit. He states the limit is 'absurdly low' and encourages people to switch away from services that use too many lookups.
13 Oct 2023 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Documentation consistently highlights that SPF has a strict limit of 10 DNS lookups. Exceeding this limit results in a 'PermError', causing SPF checks to fail and negatively impacting email deliverability. Resolving this issue involves flattening SPF records, utilizing SPF Macros, employing third-party SPF management tools, or ensuring the total number of lookups remains below 10. It's important to note that 'ip4' and 'ip6' mechanisms do not count towards this lookup limit.
Key findings
- 10 Lookup Limit: SPF has a hard limit of 10 DNS lookups.
- PermError: Exceeding the limit results in a 'PermError' and failed SPF checks.
- Deliverability Impact: SPF failures harm email deliverability.
- Included Mechanisms: 'Include,' 'a,' 'mx,' 'ptr,' 'exists,' and 'redirect' count towards the limit.
- Exempted Mechanisms: 'ip4' and 'ip6' mechanisms do not count towards the limit.
Key considerations
- Flattening: Consider flattening SPF records to reduce lookups.
- SPF Macros: Explore the use of SPF Macros.
- Third-Party Tools: Evaluate third-party SPF management tools.
- Lookup Count: Ensure the total number of lookups remains below 10.
Technical article
Documentation from dmarcian.com highlights that the 10 DNS lookup limit in SPF includes mechanisms like 'include,' 'a,' 'mx,' 'ptr,' 'exists,' 'redirect', but the 'ip4' and 'ip6' mechanisms do not count against the limit. Flattening your SPF record, using SPF Macros, or using a 3rd party SPF management tool are all highlighted as methods to resolve this issue.
23 Feb 2022 - dmarcian.com
Technical article
Documentation from support.google.com advises on preventing email from going to spam, including using SPF. It mentions the 10 DNS lookup limit and how it can cause issues if exceeded. It suggests keeping the number of lookups below 10 to ensure proper authentication.
21 Oct 2022 - support.google.com
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