---
title: "What is the format of an SPF record and why do I need it for sending an email?"
date: "2025-02-04T14:31:52+00:00"
summary: "Learn about SPF record format, its importance for email sending, and how it works with AWS SES and DMARC for authentication."
image:
type: "article"
url: "/acquia-cloud-platform/help/61096-what-format-spf-record-and-why-do-i-need-it-sending-email"
id: "8c1b9f6a-23ab-4f45-a433-f18d967e236c"
---

The format of an SPF record is as follows:

    v=spf1 include:amazonses.com ~all
    

This snippet indicates that the domain authorises AWS SES to send mail on its behalf. To explicitly define a strict policy that invalidates emails from other sources, Acquia uses a custom `MAIL FROM` domain in the SPF entry. For more information, see [Using a custom MAIL FROM domain](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/ses/latest/dg/mail-from.html). In addition, a custom `MAIL FROM` domain ensures that your emails comply with [Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC)](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/ses/latest/dg/send-email-authentication-dmarc.html).

In addition, the `~all` parameter signifies that if the email sender’s IP address is not listed in the SPF record, such emails are marked as insecure or spam but acceptable.