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
SPF flattening policy interface

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.

SPF flattening setup instructions

Automatic Reflattening

Stay current when vendors change

SPF records are scanned every 10 minutes and refreshed when vendors publish new IPs.

Flattened SPF policy

Easy Updates

Update existing policies with a click

Add a new sender to your virtual policy and DMARC Defender publishes the update.

Edit SPF policy

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