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How to create TXT records for SPF & DMARC with Google Domains
How to create TXT records for SPF & DMARC with Google Domains

Instructions to create TXT records such as SPF and DMARC for Google Domains.

Eric Johnson avatar
Written by Eric Johnson
Updated over a week ago

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of adding Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) records to your domain. These email authentication protocols are essential to safeguard your domain from email fraud. Let's dive into the steps for setting up SPF and DMARC records in your Google Domains account.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding SPF and DMARC Records to your Google Domains Account:

  1. Log in to your Google Domains account, select your 'Domain', and go to the 'DNS' section.

  2. Scroll down to the 'Custom resource records' and create the following record(s):

    1. SPF Record:

      • Name: For the SPF record, enter the host name. Typically, you can use "@" to indicate the root domain.

      • Type: Select "TXT" as the record type.

      • Data: Enter the value for your SPF record. This value specifies which email servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain.

      • TTL: Determine the Time-to-Live for the record. This dictates how long DNS servers should cache the information.

    2. DMARC Record:

      • Name: For the DMARC record, use the host name "_dmarc."

      • Type: Select "TXT" as the record type.

      • Data: Set the value for your DMARC record. This value defines the DMARC policy and how email receivers should handle emails that fail authentication checks.

      • TTL: Set the appropriate Time-to-Live value for the DMARC record.

  3. Click 'Add' to publish the new record.

Importance of SPF and DMARC Records for Your Custom Domain:

  1. Enhanced Email Deliverability:

    • SPF and DMARC records boost your email deliverability rates, ensuring that legitimate emails reach recipients' inboxes instead of being marked as spam or rejected.

  2. Mitigate Email Spoofing and Phishing Attacks:

    • By setting up SPF and DMARC records, you prevent unauthorized parties from sending fraudulent emails that appear to come from your domain, thus protecting your brand reputation.

  3. Trust and Reputation Building:

    • Securing your domain with SPF and DMARC records demonstrates your commitment to customer safety and builds trust with your audience, leading to improvements in brand and domain reputation.

Manage Resource Records with Google Domains

Create a free OnDMARC account to test your configuration.

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