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This guide explains how to add IP addresses to your SPF Records in cPanel, starting from logging into your Hosted.com® account. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is an essential email authentication method that helps prevent spam, spoofing, and unauthorized email use of your domain. By defining which mail servers and IP addresses are permitted to send email on your behalf, SPF improves email deliverability and protects your domain’s reputation.

If you use third-party services, custom mail servers, or external applications to send email using your domain, you may need to add their IP addresses to your SPF record manually.

How to Add IP Address to SPF Records

1. Login to your Hosted.com account.

2. From the dashboard, open the Manage Services dropdown menu and choose the hosting service linked to the domain you wish to manage.

How To Add IP Addresses To Your SPF Records in cPanel

3. Click Manage next to your domain, and on the following page, select Login to access cPanel.

How To Add IP Addresses To Your SPF Records in cPanel

4. In cPanel, scroll down to Domains and click Zone Editor.

How To Add IP Addresses To Your SPF Records in cPanel

5. Locate the domain you want to update and click Manage.

6. SPF records are stored as TXT records. Look for a TXT record that begins with:

v=spf1

7. If more than one SPF record exists, do not create a new one. A domain should only have one SPF record. Multiple SPF records can cause email authentication failures.

8. Edit the SPF Record to Add an IP Address

9. Click Edit next to the existing SPF TXT record.

10. In the Record or Value field, add the IP address in the following format:

ip4:123.123.123.123

11. Replace this with the correct IPv4 address.

Example SPF Record
v=spf1 ip4:123.123.123.123 include:_spf.hosted.com ~all

12. You can authorize multiple IP addresses by separating them with spaces:

ip4:123.123.123.123 ip4:111.111.111.111

Click Save Record to apply the change.

DNS Propagation Time

13. DNS changes are not applied instantly.

14. Most updates take effect within 15 minutes.

15. Full propagation may take up to 24 hours.

16. During this period, email sending may vary.

Additional Information

Understanding SPF Record Elements

  • v=spf1: Identifies the record as an SPF record.
  • ip4: Authorizes a specific IPv4 address to send email on behalf of your domain.
  • include: Allows SPF rules from another domain, such as the Hosted.com® mail servers.
  • ~all (soft fail): Messages from unauthorized senders are marked but not rejected. This is the recommended setting for most domains.
  • -all (hard fail): Messages from unauthorized senders are rejected entirely.

SPF Best Practices

  • Use only one SPF record per domain.
  • Always keep include:_spf.hosted.com if you use Hosted.com® email services.
  • Avoid exceeding the 10 DNS lookup limit, as this can invalidate your SPF record.
  • Update your SPF record whenever you add or remove email-sending services
  • Test your SPF record after changes to confirm correct configuration
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