SPF Flattening
Stay under the 10 SPF lookup limit with hosted SPF flattening that updates automatically.
- Hosted SPF chain
- Automatic refreshes
- Duplicate removal
- CIDR compression

Why SPF Flattening?
Keep SPF working as senders change
Turn complex SPF policies into a hosted record chain that stays under the lookup limit.
The Lookup Limit
SPF allows 10 DNS lookups. A few vendors can push a domain over the limit fast.
The Maintenance Problem
Manual flattening goes stale when vendors change IP ranges, which can break real mail.
Dynamic Flattening
DMARC Defender publishes a compact hosted chain and refreshes it automatically.
Simple Setup
Copy one DNS record
Replace your SPF TXT record with a hosted include and manage the policy in DMARC Defender.

Automatic Reflattening
Stay current when vendors change
SPF records are scanned every 10 minutes and refreshed when vendors publish new IPs.

Easy Updates
Update existing policies with a click
Add a new sender to your virtual policy and DMARC Defender publishes the update.

FAQ
Common questions
When should I use SPF flattening?
Use it when a domain is over the 10 lookup limit. Audit unused senders first so the policy only includes what you need.
Does SPF flattening provide any security benefit?
No. It keeps SPF under the lookup limit, but it does not make SPF stricter by itself.
What's the difference between SPF flattening and SPF macros?
SPF macros return dynamic DNS responses, but they are harder to debug and often need custom DNS behavior. Flattening uses standard DNS records.
Ready to get started?
Start your free trial today and see how DMARC Defender can help you improve your email deliverability and protect your brand reputation.
Benefits
- Continuous deliverability monitoring
- Fulfil Google/Yahoo sender requirements
- Prevent Brand Impersonation
- Improve Deliverability