Introduction: Understanding TXT Records and Their Importance
TXT records are essential for domain management and are worth more attention than most people devote to them. They function separately from A or CNAME records by storing additional data that enhances security functions and email authentication alongside domain verification processes.
When setting up email for your domain, you might have encountered the terms SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. TXT records help email providers verify senders while blocking spoofing attempts to prevent their messages from ending up in spam folders. An incorrect Manage TXT Records setup could prevent emails from reaching their intended recipients.
Then there’s site verification—companies like Google or Microsoft require TXT records to prove domain ownership before allowing access to certain services.
TXT records are also used for custom applications, API keys, and other authentication processes. Some businesses store internal notes or metadata in them, though that’s less common.
Maintaining TXT records is not difficult, although attention to detail is essential. Even tiny mistakes or space errors in TXT records can produce delivery failures and security-related issues. Regular updates and proper organization of TXT records help prevent issues that disrupt system performance. Make sure to subscribe to our blog.
What Are TXT Records: Definition and Use Cases
TXT records (Text records) are essential DNS elements. They differ from A and CNAME records as they store only textual information with no traffic redirection functions. Although unexciting to look at, TXT records constitute vital elements that ensure email security, domain verification, and multiple other operational functions behind the scenes.
- Format and Structure: TXT records are pretty simple. They’re just text strings attached to a domain or subdomain. Most follow a key-value format, meaning they contain a label (like v=spf1) followed by specific instructions or data.
- Character Limits: Each TXT record has a limit of 255 characters per string, but long records can be split into multiple sections if needed. That’s common with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records since they can get lengthy.
- Common Applications:
- SPF, DKIM, and DMARC – These help prevent email spoofing and phishing by verifying that emails sent from your domain are legitimate.
- Verification Records—Services like Google Search Console or Microsoft require TXT records to confirm domain ownership before granting access to tools.
- Miscellaneous Uses – Some companies use TXT records for API authentication, machine-readable data, or even internal notes, though that’s less common.
How Do TXT Records Work: Functionality Explained
TXT records work kind of like little messages stored in a domain’s DNS settings. When someone (or some system) needs to check them, it just asks the DNS servers, and they respond with whatever text is in the record.
For example, you’re setting up email authentication. Your email provider might tell you, “Hey, add this TXT record to your domain so we know your emails are legit.” You go into your domain settings, paste in the TXT record they give you, and save it.
Then, when an email server gets a message claiming to be from your domain, it checks the DNS records to see if that TXT record is there. If it confirms the recorded data correctly, the system accepts the message as authentic. If the TXT record is missing, the email server might mark the email as doubtful or prevent it from reaching the intended recipient.
It’s like putting a sign on your front door that says, “Yes, I live here.” When someone comes to check, they see the sign and know it’s real. Without it, they might not trust you.
Or, let’s say you’re connecting a third-party service to your domain, like a marketing tool or API. They might ask you to add a special TXT record with a unique code. That way, when they look up your domain, they see the code and recognize it as original.
How to Add a TXT Record: Step-by-Step Guide
Adding a TXT record isn’t too hard once you know where to look. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be good to go.
- Log in to your domain provider: Go to the ARZ Host website and Log In To Your Account.
- Navigate to DNS Settings: Once logged in, find the section for your domains and select the one to which you want to add the TXT record. Look for a menu or option called “DNS,” “DNS Settings,” or “Manage DNS.”
- Add a new record: Inside the DNS settings, there should be a button or link that says something like “Add Record” or “Add TXT Record.” Click that.
- Select TXT as record type: You’ll usually see a dropdown or list of record types, such as A, CNAME, MX, etc. Choose “TXT” from that list.
- Enter the host: This is where you put the subdomain or leave it blank for the root domain (often denoted as “@” or just left empty).
- Enter the value: This is where you paste the TXT value provided by the service you’re verifying with (like SPF record, verification code from Google, Microsoft, or any other info). It might look like a long string of letters and numbers.
- Save the record: After entering the necessary info, save the record. There should be a “Save” or “Add Record” button to confirm your changes.
- Wait for DNS propagation: It can take some time (anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours) for the changes to fully update across the internet. Once it’s done, you’re all set!
How to Edit TXT Records: Updating and Modifying Entries
The following steps show you how to update TXT records with ease.
- Navigate to your DNS settings: After logging in, locate your domain and search for “DNS settings” or “Manage DNS.” The DNS settings are usually found in the domain management section.
- Locate the TXT document: Your DNS settings should display a list of your domain records. Locate the TXT record that needs to be modified. It will most likely contain a string of letters and numbers.
- Modify the document: The record should have an editable option next to it. Click on that, and you’ll be able to change the value (the long text string) or sometimes the name/host field, depending on what you’re updating.
- Make your changes: Once you’re in the editor, update or delete whatever is required. If you’re adding a new value or modifying an old one, paste or type the new information in.
- Save your changes: After you’ve made your changes, hit save or update to apply them.
- Wait for the changes to update: It can take a little while for the changes to fully update across the web. Usually, it’s pretty quick, but just be patient.
Best Practices for Managing TXT Records: Optimization Tips
Managing TXT records isn’t something you do every day, but when you need to, it’s good to have a few best practices in mind. Messy or outdated records can cause issues, and small mistakes can lead to big headaches. Keeping things organized and following a few simple rules can save you time and trouble later.
- Set a good TTL (Time to Live) value. Too high, and updates will take forever to go through. Too low might cause unnecessary DNS queries. A balance is key.
- If your TXT record is super long (over 255 characters), break it into smaller chunks. Some systems can’t handle long strings in one go.
- Check your DNS records now and then. Old or incorrect records can cause issues, and it’s easy to forget about them. A quick audit every so often keeps things clean.
Conclusion:
TXT records, or text records, are crucial components for domain management. These records operate behind the scenes to perform security functions, authentication, and ownership verification. Although setting up TXT records is simple, a small mistake could cause serious issues.
TXT records are essential for resolving various authentication challenges, such as email delivery and domain ownership verification. Organized TXT records, along with their regular maintenance, become easier and more manageable with practice. Take your time to verify your entries, after which DNS will automatically handle the process.
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FAQs. (Frequently Asked Questions).
How do I add a TXT record to my domain?
You’ll need to log into your domain provider (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or whatever service you’re using), go to the DNS settings, and add a new TXT record. They usually ask for a “host” and a “value”—just copy and paste what your service provider gives you, save it, and wait for it to update.
How long does it take for a TXT record to update?
It depends. Updates on DNS propagation can occur anywhere from minutes to hours or even reach up to 48 hours in rare conditions. \It all comes down to DNS propagation, which is just a fancy way of saying, “The internet needs time to catch up.”
Can I have multiple TXT records?
Yes, you can have multiple TXT records for a single domain. Some domains have several for different services—one for email authentication, another for verification, and maybe even one for some custom use. Just be careful with SPF records; you should only have one of those (but it can include multiple values).
What happens if I mess up a TXT record?
If it’s for email security (like SPF, DKIM, or DMARC), a bad TXT record could cause emails to go to spam or not send at all. If it’s for verification, the service you’re trying to set up might not work. Luckily, you can always go back and fix or remove a TXT record if something goes wrong.
How do I check if my TXT record is working?
To check if your TXT record has been updated correctly, you should utilize online DNS lookup tools such as MXToolBox and Google’s Dig tool. Just type in your domain and check what records show up. If it’s not there yet, it might still be propagating.
Do TXT records affect my website?
Nope, they don’t change how your website works. They just store text info for verification and security purposes. You could delete all TXT records, and your website would still load fine (though your emails or third-party services might break).
How do I delete a TXT record?
It’s pretty simple. Just log into your domain provider (wherever you manage your DNS settings). Find the section for DNS or “Manage DNS,” then look for the list of records. Locate the TXT record that you wish to remove; typically, it has a small trash icon or an “Edit” button with a delete option. After you click and confirm, it disappears.
If something stops functioning after you delete a TXT record, you may need to add it back. Therefore, it’s wise to verify again before removing anything crucial.
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