# SPF record for Campaign Monitor

URL: https://iblockspam.com/spf/campaign-monitor
Last updated: 2026-11-03

Include: include:_spf.createsend.com
Where it goes: The sending domain you authenticate (@ or a subdomain)
DNS lookups: 1 of 10

Campaign Monitor's SPF include is include:_spf.createsend.com. For a domain with no SPF record it gives v=spf1 include:_spf.createsend.com ~all; otherwise add the include right after v=spf1 in your existing record. The include costs 1 DNS lookup. Campaign Monitor calls this step optional but recommended: DKIM and DMARC are the required parts of domain authentication.

## Example records

- Campaign Monitor only (TXT, host @): `v=spf1 include:_spf.createsend.com ~all`
- Campaign Monitor and Microsoft 365 (TXT, host @): `v=spf1 include:_spf.createsend.com include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all`
- A sending subdomain such as mail.example.com (TXT, host mail): `v=spf1 include:_spf.createsend.com ~all` Use the subdomain label as the host. Authenticating `example.com` doesn't cover `mail.example.com`, and the reverse is also true.

## Notes

- Campaign Monitor says the default SPF it handles covers the domains in the Return-Path address, so SPF passes for its mail even before you add the include. DMARC can still pass through DKIM.
- If you don't manage DNS yourself, **Share instructions** in Campaign Monitor sends the exact records to whoever does.

## How to add it

- In Campaign Monitor, click your profile image (top right), choose **Account settings**, then **Sending domains**, and click **Set up a sending domain** (or **Add domain**).
- Enter the exact domain or subdomain you send from, such as `mail.example.com`. Generic mailbox domains and unregistered domains are refused.
- Publish the DKIM TXT record (`cm._domainkey`) and, if the domain has no DMARC record yet, the `_dmarc` record Campaign Monitor shows.
- For SPF, edit the TXT record on the same host that starts with `v=spf1` and add `include:_spf.createsend.com` straight after `v=spf1`. With no record, create `v=spf1 include:_spf.createsend.com ~all`.
- Use a TTL of at least 300 seconds (GoDaddy's minimum is 600), then click **Re-check record** in Sending domains.

## DKIM and DMARC

Campaign Monitor treats DKIM and DMARC as the required records: a TXT key at `cm._domainkey` on your sending domain plus a `_dmarc` record (see our [Campaign Monitor DKIM page](https://iblockspam.com/dkim/campaign-monitor)). Without DKIM, Gmail shows "via" and Outlook shows "sent by" next to your name. For DMARC, the From domain has to match the domain in the DKIM signature.

## Common mistakes

- Authenticating the root domain and sending from a subdomain (or the other way round). Each sending domain needs its own records.
- Creating a second `v=spf1` record on the host instead of adding the include to the existing one.
- A DNS host that strips underscores or semicolons. Campaign Monitor says you may be able to escape a semicolon as `\;`, but a host without underscore support can't hold the records.

**Q: What is the SPF record for Campaign Monitor?**
`v=spf1 include:_spf.createsend.com ~all` for a domain without SPF. If an SPF record already exists, add `include:_spf.createsend.com` directly after `v=spf1` in that record.

**Q: Is SPF required for Campaign Monitor authentication?**
No. Campaign Monitor calls adding its servers to your SPF record an optional but recommended step. The required records are the DKIM TXT record and a DMARC record, because SPF for its mail is checked on the Return-Path domain it manages.

**Q: Does authenticating example.com in Campaign Monitor cover mail.example.com?**
No. Campaign Monitor authenticates the exact domain you enter, so a subdomain you send from needs its own DKIM, DMARC and optional SPF records, with the subdomain label as the host.

Sources:
- Campaign Monitor Help: Manage your own authentication: https://help.campaignmonitor.com/s/article/manage-your-own-authentication
- Campaign Monitor Help: Email authentication: https://help.campaignmonitor.com/s/article/email-authentication

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