SPF · SPF_PROVIDER_NOT_INCLUDED

Mailbox provider not in SPF (SPF_PROVIDER_NOT_INCLUDED)

Your SPF record exists but does not authorize the provider your mailbox sends through. Learn which include to add for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.

What it means

An SPF record exists, but it does not authorize the mail provider that actually sends for this mailbox, so messages from that provider can fail SPF.

Why it matters for sending

SPF passes only when the sending server is listed. If you moved to a new provider or added one, and the SPF record still lists only the old one, your real mail fails SPF and loses an authentication signal.

How to fix it

  1. Confirm which provider hosts the mailbox (for example Google Workspace or Microsoft 365).
  2. Add its include to the existing record: include:_spf.google.com for Google Workspace or include:spf.protection.outlook.com for Microsoft 365. For other providers, use the value from their documentation.
  3. Keep a single SPF record and stay within 10 DNS lookups.
  4. Re-run the SPF checker.

Example record

example.com.  TXT  "v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com ~all"

Replace the values with your own domain and provider.

Check your fix SPF Checker Related guide SPF, DKIM and DMARC for Cold Email

Sources

This page is based on public standards and provider documentation, reviewed on 2026-09-25.

Other SPF errors

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When you connect a mailbox, MailQV checks SPF, DKIM, DMARC, MX and blocklist status and warns you before a campaign if something is wrong.

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