# SPF record for MailerLite

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

Include: include:_spf.mlsend.com
Where it goes: Your sending domain (@ or the subdomain you send from)
DNS lookups: 1 of 10

MailerLite's SPF include is include:_spf.mlsend.com. Its own example record is v=spf1 a mx include:_spf.mlsend.com ~all, published as a TXT record on the domain you send from. If that domain already has an SPF record, merge the include into it instead of adding a second one. The include costs 1 of your 10 DNS lookups.

## Example records

- MailerLite only (TXT, host @): `v=spf1 include:_spf.mlsend.com ~all`
- MailerLite and Microsoft 365 (MailerLite's merge example) (TXT, host @): `v=spf1 a mx include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:_spf.mlsend.com ~all` MailerLite's example keeps the `a` and `mx` mechanisms. Drop them if your web server and inbound mail servers don't send mail as your domain.
- MailerLite and Google Workspace (TXT, host @): `v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:_spf.mlsend.com ~all`

## Notes

- MailerLite's troubleshooting article also shows the record as `v=spf1 a mx include:_spf.mlsend.com ?all`. Whatever qualifier you pick, a merged record ends with a single `all`.
- MailerLite says propagation usually finishes within 24 hours and can take up to 72. Authentication is required to send from a custom domain once the 14-day trial ends.
- MailerLite points out that SPF values are case-sensitive and that one TXT string holds at most 255 characters.

## How to add it

- In MailerLite, go to **Account settings**, open the **Domains** tab and click **+ Add sending domain**. Enter the sending address and click **Save**.
- Choose automatic setup if MailerLite offers it for your DNS provider, or **Authenticate manually** to copy the records yourself.
- At the company that actually hosts your DNS, add the three records MailerLite shows: the DKIM CNAME, the SPF TXT record and a verification TXT record.
- If a TXT record starting with `v=spf1` already exists on that host, add `include:_spf.mlsend.com` to it rather than creating a second one.
- Back in MailerLite, click the **…** button next to the domain and choose **Check DNS records**. The status moves from Authentication in process to Authenticated.

## DKIM and DMARC

MailerLite's DKIM record is a CNAME named `litesrv._domainkey` that points to `litesrv._domainkey.mlsend.com` (see our [MailerLite DKIM page](https://iblockspam.com/dkim/mailerlite)). That DKIM signature is what lets MailerLite campaigns pass DMARC for your domain, so publish a [DMARC record](https://iblockspam.com/blog/dmarc-record-examples) once both records verify.

## Common mistakes

- Two SPF records after adding MailerLite's value next to an existing one. MailerLite says you can only have one SPF record in your DNS zone; merge them.
- Adding the records at your registrar when another company (a web host or Cloudflare, for example) runs your DNS. MailerLite sees no change until they are in the right zone.
- Copying the value with different capitals or missing characters. MailerLite compares it exactly and suggests a text-compare tool to spot the difference.

**Q: What is the SPF include for MailerLite?**
`include:_spf.mlsend.com`. MailerLite's example record is `v=spf1 a mx include:_spf.mlsend.com ~all`. If your domain already has an SPF record, add the include to it on the same line.

**Q: How do I merge MailerLite into an existing SPF record?**
Keep one record that starts with `v=spf1`, list each mechanism once, add `include:_spf.mlsend.com` next to the other includes and end with a single `all`. MailerLite's merged example with Microsoft 365 is `v=spf1 a mx include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:_spf.mlsend.com ~all`.

**Q: Why does MailerLite still show my domain as not authenticated?**
Usually the records went to a DNS zone that isn't live, the SPF value differs slightly from MailerLite's, or DNS hasn't updated yet. MailerLite says checks usually pass within 24 hours and can take up to 72. Use **Check DNS records** again after fixing it.

Sources:
- MailerLite Help: Domain authentication: https://www.mailerlite.com/help/how-to-verify-and-authenticate-your-domain
- MailerLite Help: How to merge SPF records: https://www.mailerlite.com/help/how-to-merge-spf-records
- MailerLite Help: Troubleshooting domain authentication: https://www.mailerlite.com/help/troubleshooting-domain-authentication

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Source: iBlockSpam, https://iblockspam.com/spf/mailerlite (this is a Markdown copy; the HTML page is canonical). Quote with attribution and a link. Site index for AI assistants: https://iblockspam.com/llms.txt