How do I add a TXT record to a DNS configuration for Google Postmaster?

Summary

To add a TXT record for Google Postmaster, you need access to your domain's DNS settings through your hosting provider or domain registrar. The process includes creating a new TXT record, entering '@' (or leaving blank) in the hostname field, and pasting the verification code from Google Postmaster Tools into the TXT value field. This is typically done in the DNS zone file or record management tool of your hosting provider. TXT records are not just for domain verification; they also contribute to email authentication (DMARC, SPF), help prevent email spoofing, and allow you to monitor your domain's reputation with Gmail users, identify delivery issues, and improve overall email performance. It's crucial to remember that DNS changes can take a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate, and tools like WHOIS or online DNS lookup can help you locate DNS servers and check propagation status. The exact steps may vary based on your DNS provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Hostinger). You can have multiple TXT records, and the syntax involves name, TTL, class, type, and data (text string), possibly needing quotes for values with spaces.

Key findings

  • DNS Access & Configuration: Adding a TXT record requires access to your domain's DNS settings, usually via your hosting provider or domain registrar.
  • Record Specifics: The hostname is often '@' (domain root) or blank, and the TXT value should be the code provided by Google Postmaster Tools.
  • Verification & Authentication: TXT records are used for verifying domain ownership with Google Postmaster Tools and are essential for email authentication (DMARC, SPF).
  • Propagation Delay: DNS changes can take a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate across the internet.
  • Record Format details: TXT records include parameters like name, TTL, class, type, and data (text string).

Key considerations

  • Locate Domain Registrar: Use tools like ICANN Lookup to find your domain registrar if you are unsure where your DNS is managed.
  • Check DNS Propagation: After adding the TXT record, use online DNS lookup tools to verify that it has propagated correctly.
  • Service Provider Instructions: The exact steps to add the record may vary depending on your hosting provider or domain registrar, so refer to their specific documentation.
  • Benefit analysis: TXT records used with Google Postmaster tools allows you to monitor your domain’s reputation, identify potential delivery issues, and improve overall email performance.
  • TXT record additional Usage: TXT records also help in email authentication through implementation of DMARC and SPF protocols.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

To add a TXT record for Google Postmaster, you'll need to access your domain's DNS settings through your hosting provider or domain registrar. This involves creating a new TXT record, typically in the domain root (represented by '@' or leaving the hostname blank), and pasting the verification value provided by Google Postmaster Tools. TXT records serve to verify domain ownership, help prevent email spoofing, and enable monitoring of your domain's reputation. It can take a few minutes to 48 hours for the changes to propagate across the internet. Tools like WHOIS lookups or DNS lookup sites can help you locate DNS servers and verify propagation. You can add multiple records to your domain.

Key opinions

  • TXT Record Location: TXT records are generally added to the domain root, represented by '@' or a blank hostname field in DNS settings.
  • Verification Purpose: Adding the TXT record provided by Google Postmaster Tools is crucial for domain verification.
  • Propagation Delay: DNS changes, including the addition of TXT records, may take up to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet.
  • Multiple Records: You can have multiple TXT records associated with a domain.
  • Location of Settings: DNS settings are located in the DNS zone file/record management tool with your hosting provider, or with your registrar.

Key considerations

  • Domain Registrar Location: Identify where your domain is registered using tools like ICANN Lookup to access the correct DNS settings.
  • DNS Propagation Check: Use online DNS lookup tools (e.g., digwebinterface.com) to confirm that the TXT record has propagated correctly.
  • Service Specific Steps: The exact steps to add a TXT record can vary depending on your DNS provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Hostinger).
  • Purpose of TXT Record: TXT records are not only for verifying domain ownership but also contribute to email authentication and monitoring domain reputation.
  • Benefit Analysis: Adding a TXT record allows monitoring domain reputation, identifying potential delivery issues, and improving overall email performance.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora user Jane Doe explains that setting up Google Postmaster Tools and adding the TXT record allows you to monitor your domain's reputation with Gmail users, identify potential delivery issues, and improve overall email performance.

January 2023 - Quora
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that to find the client's domain registrar, try entering the domain in this tool: <https://lookup.icann.org/>.

February 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Hostinger says, to add a TXT record, you need to access the DNS Zone Editor in your hosting account. From there, you can add a new record, select TXT as the type, and enter the required information (hostname and value).

February 2023 - Hostinger
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user u/example mentions that after adding the TXT record, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours for the changes to propagate across the internet. You can use online tools to check if the record has propagated correctly.

August 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms that multiple records are fine.

September 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Webmaster Forum user DNSnoob shares that you should add the TXT record to the DNS zone file (or DNS record management tool) of the domain. This is usually accessible through your hosting provider's control panel.

January 2022 - Webmaster Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Cloudflare explains TXT records are DNS records that contain text information for sources outside of your domain. They are commonly used to verify domain ownership and are added via your DNS provider. An example TXT record includes name, TTL, class, type, and data.

December 2022 - Cloudflare
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that the TXT record goes in the domain root, typically represented as an '@' symbol on DNS dashboards. Add a new one, don't replace anything that's already there.

January 2025 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stackoverflow user John S says TXT records are mainly used for verification purposes (like Google Postmaster Tools) and for SPF records to help prevent email spoofing. They're a simple way to add metadata to your domain.

December 2022 - Stackoverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Namecheap shares the steps to add TXT record. Sign into your Namecheap account. Select 'Domain List'. Click 'Manage' next to your domain. Go to 'Advanced DNS'. In the 'Host Records' section, click 'Add New Record'. Choose 'TXT Record' as the type, enter the hostname (usually @ or leave blank), and paste the Google Postmaster Tools verification value. Save the changes.

October 2023 - Namecheap
Marketer view

Email marketer from GoDaddy shares how to add a TXT record in GoDaddy. Go to your GoDaddy Domain Control Center. Select your domain to access the Domain Settings page. Select DNS then Add new record. Choose TXT from the Type menu. Enter the details for the TXT record and then select Save.

November 2021 - GoDaddy
Marketer view

Email marketer from Superuser Forum user Al recommends using online DNS lookup tools such as `digwebinterface.com` to check if the TXT record has been properly propagated after adding it.

April 2024 - Superuser
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks advises to go to a public WHOIS website and input the domain to list the DNS servers, indicating where you need to go.

May 2021 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

To add a TXT record, you need access to your domain's DNS settings, typically through your hosting provider or domain registrar. This involves creating a new TXT record with a specified name (often @ or your domain) and the value provided by Google Postmaster Tools. Furthermore, TXT records are an important part of email authentication, required for setting up DMARC for reporting and for SPF to validate senders.

Key opinions

  • DNS Access: Access to domain's DNS settings (via hosting provider or registrar) is required to add a TXT record.
  • Record Details: Adding a TXT record involves specifying a name (often @ or the domain) and the value provided by Google Postmaster Tools.
  • Authentication Importance: TXT records play a crucial role in email authentication, particularly with DMARC and SPF.

Key considerations

  • DNS Provider: Identify your DNS provider (hosting provider or domain registrar) to access the DNS settings.
  • Record Value: Ensure the correct value from Google Postmaster Tools is used when creating the TXT record.
  • DMARC and SPF: Consider the implications of TXT records on DMARC and SPF configurations for enhanced email authentication.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise responds that TXT records are an important part of email authentication. When you are setting up DMARC you have to have a TXT record as a signal for reporting. SPF also uses TXT records to determine if a sender is valid and allowed to send email on behalf of your domain.

July 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that to add a TXT record, you'll need access to your domain's DNS settings, typically through your hosting provider or domain registrar. The process involves adding a new TXT record with a specified name (often @ or your domain) and the value provided by Google Postmaster Tools.

February 2024 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Adding a TXT record for Google Postmaster involves accessing your domain's DNS settings through your domain host. The process includes creating a new TXT record, entering '@' (or leaving blank) in the hostname field, pasting the verification code from Google Postmaster Tools in the TXT value field, and saving the record. The TXT record format includes name, TTL, class, type, and data (text string), with the name often being '@' or a subdomain. TXT records carry free-form text and can be used for machine-readable data. The text value may need to be enclosed in quotes. Verifying the domain is necessary for accessing data related to email sending practices.

Key findings

  • DNS Record Creation: Creating a new TXT record within the domain's DNS settings is essential.
  • Hostname Value: The hostname field should typically contain '@' or be left blank for the main domain, or specify a subdomain.
  • Verification Code: Pasting the verification code provided by Google Postmaster Tools into the TXT value field is crucial.
  • Record Format: TXT records include parameters like name, TTL (Time To Live), class, type (TXT), and data (the text string).
  • Domain Verification: Verifying your domain via TXT record addition enables access to email sending data within Google Postmaster Tools.

Key considerations

  • DNS Access: Ensure you have the necessary credentials to access your domain's DNS settings through your domain host.
  • Text Formatting: Enclose the text value in quotes if it contains spaces to avoid syntax errors.
  • Propagation Time: Be aware that it may take some time for DNS records to update and propagate across the internet.
  • Record Purpose: Adding a TXT record for Google Postmaster Tools allows the verification of your domain ownership. It enables you to review the reputation of your domain.
  • RFC Compliance: TXT records contain free-form human-readable text. They can also be used to carry machine-readable data such as cryptographic keys or SPF records.
Technical article

Documentation from RFC 1035 defines the TXT record as carrying free-form human-readable text. It can also be used to carry machine-readable data such as cryptographic keys or SPF records.

September 2024 - RFC 1035
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help explains that you need to sign in to your domain host, go to DNS records, create a TXT record, enter @ in the hostname field (or leave it blank), and paste the verification code in the TXT value field. Save the record. Note: It may take some time for the DNS records to update.

April 2021 - Google Workspace Admin Help
Technical article

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools states that verifying your domain is necessary to access data related to your email sending practices. The TXT record is provided by Postmaster Tools and needs to be added to your domain's DNS settings.

May 2023 - Google Postmaster Tools
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that the syntax for adding the TXT record includes specifying the host (either the domain name or a subdomain), the TTL, the record type (TXT), and the text value provided by Google Postmaster Tools. The text value must be enclosed in quotes if it contains spaces.

August 2021 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from DigitalOcean explains the TXT record format. The format includes a name (hostname), a TTL (Time To Live), class (IN for Internet), type (TXT), and data (the text string). The name is often @ to represent the domain itself, or a subdomain.

June 2021 - DigitalOcean