Guide
SPF flattening explained
SPF lists which servers may send mail for your domain. Each include: and redirect counts toward a hard limit of ten DNS lookups. Flattening keeps your published SPF small while the full list is maintained for you.
When flattening helps
Marketing tools, ticketing systems, and Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace often push you over the lookup limit. Receivers may then fail SPF even for legitimate mail. Flattening replaces many includes with a short hosted record that is refreshed automatically.
What NovaMX publishes
MailControl SPF flattening stores your authorised senders, resolves includes on a schedule, and publishes a compact SPF target in DNS. The portal shows lookup counts and warns before you hit the limit.
Standalone or bundled
Order SPF flattening per domain, or use MailControl Essential and larger bundles, which include flattening with DMARC reporting. Current rates are on the Pricing page. Use the free SPF lookup tool on our website to inspect an existing record before you change DNS.
Steps in My NovaMX
- Verify the domain if you have not already.
- Order SPF Flattening standalone or MailControl Essential if you also need DMARC reporting and MTA-STS.
- Add every authorised sender in MailControl and wait for the portal to show a safe lookup count.
- Publish the TXT record the portal provides, or let NovaMX DNS publish it automatically when we host your zone.
Daily refresh and what not to edit
NovaMX resolves your includes on a schedule and updates the hosted flatten target daily. Do not hand-edit the flattened include target or swap it for a long v=spf1 record. Manage senders in MailControl instead.
Common mistakes
Editing the flattened TXT target by hand breaks the next refresh. Leaving old include: lines alongside flattening duplicates authorisations and can push you back over the lookup limit. Adding +all or overly broad ip4 ranges to hide errors weakens protection.
When you are stuck
Run the SPF lookup check on our website to see lookup counts and permerrors. Browse Help for SPF flattening articles. Contact us through Messages in My NovaMX if flattening is ordered but mail still fails SPF.
Common questions
What is the ten-lookup limit?
Receivers stop following SPF include and redirect mechanisms after ten DNS lookups. Extra includes then fail SPF even for authorised mail.
Can I flatten by pasting IP addresses myself?
You can, but addresses change. MailControl flattening refreshes includes on a schedule so you do not chase vendor IP lists by hand.
Does flattening replace DMARC?
No. Flattening keeps SPF evaluable. DMARC still decides policy and reporting when alignment fails.
Where do I check lookup counts first?
Use the free SPF lookup on the tools page, then MailControl in My NovaMX once your package is active.