What service is using the `dc-aa8e######._spfm.domain.com` SPF structure?
Michael Ko
Co-founder & CEO, Suped
Published 15 Nov 2025
Updated 15 Nov 2025
7 min read
Encountering an SPF record with a unique structure like dc-aa8e######._spfm.domain.com can be quite puzzling for domain administrators. This specific format often leads to questions about which service is responsible for its creation and how it impacts email authentication and deliverability. It doesn't immediately resemble a standard SPF include or an explicit SPF flattening technique.
The appearance of such a record usually indicates that a third-party provider is managing your domain's email authentication settings on your behalf. This managed approach aims to simplify complex DNS configurations, especially for users who might not be deeply familiar with SPF records.
While this can seem convenient, it's crucial to understand the implications for your email deliverability. Misconfigurations or unknown services can inadvertently lead to emails failing authentication checks, increasing the likelihood of them landing in spam folders or being rejected. Unraveling the mystery behind this specific SPF structure is the first step toward regaining full control and optimizing your email flow.
We will explore the specific service that commonly uses this format, why it's structured this way, and what steps you can take to ensure robust email authentication and excellent deliverability.
Decoding the SPF include mechanism
The SPF include mechanism allows a domain owner to specify that other domains are authorized to send email on their behalf. However, SPF has a critical limitation, the 10-DNS-lookup limit. Exceeding this limit results in a PermError, causing legitimate emails to fail SPF authentication.
To circumvent this, some services offer SPF flattening, where multiple includes are resolved into IP addresses, thereby reducing the number of DNS lookups. The dc-aa8e######._spfm.domain.com structure appears to be a form of dynamic SPF management, but it's not a true flattening service in the sense that it collapses all includes into IPs.
Instead, it acts as an intermediary include that points to another record, usually maintained by a domain registrar or hosting provider. This method is used when these providers offer email services like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 directly to their customers, managing the necessary SPF entries on their behalf. Essentially, it's a way for them to streamline DNS setup, but it doesn't solve the underlying DNS lookup issue if not managed carefully.
The fingerprint of GoDaddy
After investigating this specific SPF structure, it became clear that it's a signature of GoDaddy, particularly when they act as the registrar and also manage email services like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for their clients. This isn't a direct SPF flattening service, but rather a delegated approach to manage SPF records.
When you purchase Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 directly through GoDaddy and use their name servers, they often automatically configure your SPF record with an include that looks like dc-aa8e######._spfm.yourdomain.com. This record then points to the actual SPF mechanisms for Google (include:spf.google.com) or Outlook (include:spf.protection.outlook.com) and potentially other internal GoDaddy mail servers.
If your domain uses GoDaddy for DNS and you have Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 through them, it's highly likely that they've automatically configured this SPF record. While it simplifies setup, it's essential to ensure this delegated record doesn't inadvertently push you over the 10-DNS-lookup limit.
This setup, while convenient for beginners, can technically waste lookup space within your SPF record because it adds an extra layer of indirection. Instead of directly including spf.google.com, you're including a GoDaddy-managed record that then includes spf.google.com, potentially using up two lookups for one service. It's not a true SPF flattening solution, but rather an administrative convenience.
Implications for your email deliverability
While GoDaddy's managed SPF can simplify initial setup, it's crucial to understand its impact on your email deliverability. The primary concern is the SPF DNS lookup limit. Even with this managed record, each include statement, whether direct or indirect, consumes a lookup. If you have many services sending email on your behalf, this can quickly push you over the limit, leading to SPF failures and emails landing in spam or being rejected outright.
GoDaddy's managed SPF simplifies setup for common services like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, making it easy for non-technical users to get started. However, it still adds a DNS lookup and offers limited transparency.
Delegated control: GoDaddy handles the specific include statements for key services.
Potential lookup inefficiency: May use more lookups than a direct include statement.
Taking full control of your SPF record allows for precise optimization, minimizing DNS lookups, and ensuring that your email authentication is as robust as possible for all sending services.
Full customization: Directly manage all authorized senders and optimize lookup count.
Clearer troubleshooting: Easier to diagnose SPF failures when you control the record.
Furthermore, relying on a third-party to manage critical authentication records means less direct control over your email ecosystem. If GoDaddy makes changes to their internal SPF records, it could affect your domain without your immediate knowledge. This lack of transparency can complicate troubleshooting if deliverability issues arise.
To mitigate these risks, implementing DMARC monitoring is essential. A robust DMARC solution provides detailed reports on your email authentication, helping you identify SPF failures, unauthorized sending sources, and potential deliverability problems proactively.
Taking control of your email authentication
To ensure your emails consistently reach the inbox, it's vital to proactively manage your email authentication. Start by carefully reviewing your domain's SPF record. If you find the dc-aa8e######._spfm.domain.com structure, understand that GoDaddy is managing that part of your SPF on your behalf. You should then check how many DNS lookups your full SPF record actually requires.
If you are consistently approaching or exceeding the 10-DNS-lookup limit, consider implementing a true SPF flattening service to consolidate all authorized sending sources into a single, compliant record. Suped offers advanced SPF flattening capabilities that automatically manage your SPF record, ensuring it stays within the lookup limit and prevents authentication failures.
Take control of your email deliverability with Suped. Our platform offers:
AI-Powered Recommendations: Get actionable insights to fix issues and strengthen your policy.
Real-Time Alerts: Be notified immediately of any authentication failures or suspicious activity.
Unified Platform: Monitor DMARC, SPF, and DKIM alongside blocklist and deliverability insights.
SPF Flattening: Automatically manage your SPF record to avoid lookup limits.
MSP and Multi-Tenancy Dashboard: Manage multiple domains from a single, clean interface.
Beyond SPF, implementing a strong DMARC policy is paramount. DMARC provides crucial visibility into your email ecosystem, allowing you to see which emails pass and fail SPF and DKIM authentication. This data is invaluable for identifying unauthorized senders and gradually enforcing stricter policies to protect your domain from spoofing and phishing attacks. Suped offers a generous free plan that helps you get started with DMARC monitoring quickly and effectively.
Regularly monitor your DMARC reports and use the insights to refine your SPF and DKIM configurations. This proactive approach ensures your emails are authenticated correctly, building trust with receiving email servers and improving your overall inbox placement.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Regularly audit your SPF records to avoid exceeding the 10-DNS-lookup limit, preventing PermErrors.
Implement DMARC at a p=none policy initially to gain visibility into your email traffic.
Use SPF flattening tools to consolidate multiple includes into fewer lookups.
Common pitfalls
Overlooking the 10-DNS-lookup limit, leading to SPF PermError and delivery issues.
Assuming a delegated SPF record (like GoDaddy's) automatically handles all authentication needs.
Failing to monitor DMARC reports, missing critical insights into email authentication failures.
Expert tips
Monitor all email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) through a unified platform for comprehensive insights.
Automate SPF flattening to dynamically manage your SPF record and always stay compliant.
Leverage DMARC aggregate reports to detect any SPF authentication failures quickly.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says checking the DMARC record's rua tag often reveals the service.
2024-09-18 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says this SPF structure frequently appears in shared hosting environments and might be a cPanel feature.
2024-09-18 - Email Geeks
Ensuring proper SPF configuration
Identifying the service behind the dc-aa8e######._spfm.domain.com SPF structure, which is typically GoDaddy, is essential for maintaining healthy email deliverability. While such managed records offer convenience, they can obscure the true complexity of your SPF configuration and potentially lead to authentication failures if not properly monitored.
Taking ownership of your email authentication, whether through direct SPF management or by leveraging advanced SPF flattening solutions, empowers you to proactively address potential issues. Coupling this with comprehensive DMARC monitoring provides the visibility and control needed to ensure your legitimate emails always reach their intended recipients while protecting your domain from abuse.
Implementing tools like Suped can greatly simplify this process, offering an integrated platform for DMARC, SPF, and DKIM monitoring, alongside real-time alerts and actionable recommendations. This ensures your email authentication remains robust and your deliverability rates stay high.
Google Workspace or 
Microsoft 365 directly through GoDaddy and use their name servers, they often automatically configure your SPF record with an include that looks like dc-aa8e######._spfm.yourdomain.com. This record then points to the actual SPF mechanisms for Google (include:spf.google.com) or Outlook (include:spf.protection.outlook.com) and potentially other internal GoDaddy mail servers.
