Email authentication has become one of the most important aspects of modern business communication. Organizations using Google Workspace often integrate their email environment with specialized email security solutions to enhance spam protection, email filtering, policy enforcement, and secure mail routing.

One such solution is PostMaster, developed by QuantumLink Communications Pvt. Ltd. (QLC). Many organizations have been using PostMaster for years alongside Google Workspace to strengthen their email infrastructure.

Recently, several customers have received a communication from QuantumLink Communications requesting them to update their existing SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record to the following:

v=spf1 include:spf.qlc.co.in include:_spf.google.com ~all

For many administrators, this raises several questions:

• Why is Google Workspace's default SPF record no longer sufficient?
• Why has QuantumLink requested this change?
• Will this affect Google Workspace email delivery?
• Should the existing SPF record be modified or should a new one be created?

This article explains the purpose of the updated SPF record and how it works when Google Workspace is integrated with PostMaster by QuantumLink Communications.

What is Google Workspace SPF?

Google Workspace uses SPF (Sender Policy Framework) to identify Google's mail servers as authorized senders for your domain.

For organizations that send email only through Google Workspace, Google's recommended SPF record is:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

This tells recipient mail servers that emails originating from Google's authorized infrastructure should be considered legitimate.

If Google Workspace is the only system sending emails for your domain, this SPF record is generally sufficient.

What is PostMaster by QuantumLink Communications?

PostMaster is an enterprise email solution developed by QuantumLink Communications Pvt. Ltd., a company specializing in email messaging and communication products.

Depending on an organization's deployment, PostMaster can provide features such as:

• Email gateway services
• Spam and malware filtering
• Email security
• Policy-based message routing
• Email continuity
• Message processing
• Outbound email relay
• Centralized email management

Many organizations deploy PostMaster together with Google Workspace rather than replacing it.

Why QuantumLink Requested an SPF Update

When PostMaster participates in processing or relaying outbound emails, recipient mail servers must recognize PostMaster as an authorized sender for your domain.

If only Google's servers are listed in SPF while PostMaster is involved in sending or relaying mail, SPF validation may not accurately represent all legitimate sending systems.

To authorize both environments, QuantumLink recommends the following SPF record:

v=spf1 include:spf.qlc.co.in include:_spf.google.com ~all

This single SPF record authorizes:

• QuantumLink PostMaster infrastructure
• Google Workspace mail servers

to send emails on behalf of your domain.

Understanding the SPF Record

v=spf1

Indicates that the TXT record is an SPF Version 1 policy.

include.qlc.co.in

This authorizes all email servers defined by QuantumLink Communications within their published SPF policy.

Instead of listing individual IP addresses, QuantumLink maintains those addresses centrally. If their authorized sending infrastructure changes in the future, customers generally do not need to modify their DNS records again because the updates are managed within the published SPF policy.

include:_spf.google.com

This authorizes Google's official mail servers used by Google Workspace.

Emails sent directly through Gmail or Google Workspace continue to pass SPF verification.

~all

The SoftFail qualifier tells recipient servers that any server not listed in the SPF policy is not an authorized sender.

Modern email systems evaluate this result together with DKIM, DMARC, IP reputation, and other security checks before deciding how to handle a message.

Why Both Google Workspace and PostMaster Are Included

Many administrators assume that only one email provider can appear in an SPF record.

This is incorrect.

SPF is specifically designed to authorize multiple legitimate email sources.

In this configuration:

• Google Workspace remains an authorized sender.
• PostMaster also becomes an authorized sender.

Both services can participate in the organization's email flow without causing SPF authentication issues.

Typical Email Flow

Google Workspace Only

User
   │
Google Workspace
   │
Recipient Mail Server

Only Google's SPF authorization is required.

Google Workspace with PostMaster

User
   │
Google Workspace
   │
PostMaster
   │
Recipient Mail Server

or

User
   │
PostMaster
   │
Internet

Depending on the customer's deployment, PostMaster may inspect, relay, or process outbound messages before final delivery.

Updating the Existing SPF Record

One of the biggest mistakes administrators make is creating multiple SPF records.

Incorrect Configuration

TXT
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

TXT
v=spf1 include:spf.qlc.co.in ~all

Multiple SPF records violate the SPF specification and can cause SPF validation errors.

Correct Configuration

TXT
v=spf1 include:spf.qlc.co.in include:_spf.google.com ~all

Only one SPF TXT record should exist for a domain.

Does This Affect Google Workspace?

No.

Google Workspace continues to send emails exactly as before because Google's infrastructure remains authorized through:

include:_spf.google.com

The update simply extends authorization to include PostMaster.

Benefits of the Updated SPF Record

Updating the SPF record as recommended by QuantumLink Communications offers several advantages:

• Proper authorization for both Google Workspace and PostMaster.
• Improved SPF validation.
• Better compatibility with modern email authentication standards.
• Reduced risk of SPF-related delivery issues.
• Improved sender trust.
• Better support for DMARC-based email protection.
• Simplified future maintenance because QuantumLink manages its published SPF policy.

Best Practices

When using Google Workspace together with PostMaster:

• Maintain only one SPF record.
• Replace the existing SPF record instead of creating another.
• Keep Google Workspace DKIM enabled.
• Configure a DMARC policy appropriate for your organization.
• Periodically verify DNS records after any email infrastructure changes.
• Follow official guidance issued by QuantumLink Communications regarding email authentication.

Conclusion

Organizations using Google Workspace together with PostMaster by QuantumLink Communications Pvt. Ltd. should follow QuantumLink's official guidance when updating their SPF record.

The recommended SPF policy:

v=spf1 include:spf.qlc.co.in include:_spf.google.com ~all

authorizes both Google Workspace and PostMaster to send email on behalf of the organization's domain.

Rather than replacing Google Workspace, this configuration complements it by ensuring that all legitimate sending infrastructure is recognized during SPF validation. Administrators should remember that a domain must have only one SPF TXT record, and the existing SPF record should be updated, not duplicated.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why has QuantumLink Communications asked customers to update their SPF record?

Because customers using PostMaster with Google Workspace should authorize both Google Workspace and PostMaster as legitimate email senders.

2. Will this change interrupt Google Workspace email services?

No. Google Workspace continues to function normally because Google's mail servers remain included in the SPF policy.

3. Can I create a second SPF record for PostMaster?

No. A domain must contain only one SPF TXT record.

4. Should I replace my existing Google Workspace SPF record?

Yes. If QuantumLink has instructed you to use the combined SPF record, update the existing SPF record rather than adding another one.

5. What does include:spf.qlc.co.in do?

It authorizes the email infrastructure published by QuantumLink Communications for PostMaster services.

6. Why is include:_spf.google.com still required?

It continues to authorize Google's official mail servers used by Google Workspace.

7. Does this SPF update affect DKIM?

No. SPF and DKIM are separate authentication mechanisms that work together.

8. Should I also configure DMARC?

Yes. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC together provide stronger email authentication and protection against spoofing.

9. How can I verify that the SPF update is working?

After DNS propagation, send a test email to a Gmail account and use Show Original to verify that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC pass.

10. Is this SPF record intended only for customers using PostMaster?

Yes. Organizations that use only Google Workspace without PostMaster should normally follow Google's SPF recommendations unless another authorized email service is involved.

 

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