How do I re-assign domain ownership in Google Postmaster Tools?

Summary

Re-assigning domain ownership in Google Postmaster Tools involves several steps. The new owner needs to verify the domain in their own Google account, typically by adding a TXT record or other DNS entries (DKIM, SPF). Existing DNS entries cannot be directly ported, necessitating the creation of new records on the new platform and the removal of old ones. In Google Workspace, a transfer code is used to transfer ownership to another Google account. Update DNS records and ensure that all domain settings are transferred, respecting TTL settings. Unlocking the domain and obtaining an authorization code may be necessary with some registrars. To avoid downtime, create and verify the new TXT record before deleting the old one. Finally, maintain good email deliverability by cleaning lists, warming up cold audiences, and engaging subscribers actively.

Key findings

  • Verification is Key: The new domain owner *must* verify the domain ownership, generally via DNS records (TXT, DKIM, SPF).
  • No Direct Porting: DNS records cannot be directly transferred; new records need creation.
  • Workspace Transfer: Google Workspace requires a transfer code to move to another Google Account.
  • Downtime Prevention: Verify new DNS settings before deleting old ones to prevent downtime.
  • List Cleaning Improves Deliverability: Regularly clean your email lists to maintain a healthy sender reputation.

Key considerations

  • Clear Cache: The new owner may need to clear their cache to see DNS propagation.
  • Check Registrar: Different registrars (GoDaddy, Namecheap) have different transfer processes.
  • Respect TTL: Respect Time To Live (TTL) settings before removing old DNS records.
  • Account Cleanup: Remove the old user's access to avoid conflicts.
  • Warming up cold audience: Maintain deliverability and a healthy domain by warming up any cold audience.

What email marketers say
9Marketer opinions

Re-assigning domain ownership in Google Postmaster Tools typically involves having the new owner verify the domain within their own Google account by adding a TXT record to the DNS settings. The existing DNS entry cannot be directly ported. It's recommended to remove the old user's access, have the new owner add the domain and its associated DNS records (DKIM/SPF), then remove the old records. Ensure all settings are transferred, the DNS records are updated, and TTL settings are respected. Some registrars may have specific transfer processes involving unlocking the domain and using an authorization code. Creating the TXT record on the new domain and verifying before deleting the old one will ensure no downtime. Always clean up your lists and warm up your email audience as well to preserve your domains value.

Key opinions

  • Verification Method: New owner must verify the domain through DNS records (TXT, DKIM, SPF).
  • No Direct Porting: Existing DNS entries cannot be directly ported or reassigned.
  • Removal of Old Access: Remove the old user's access to the domain in Google Postmaster Tools.
  • DNS Update: Update DNS records with the new server/account information.
  • Downtime Avoidance: Create new TXT record and verify before deleting the old record.

Key considerations

  • TTL Respect: Respect the Time To Live (TTL) settings before removing old DNS records.
  • Registrar Process: Check with your domain registrar for their specific transfer process (unlocking, auth code).
  • Cache Clearing: The new owner may need to clear their cache to see the changes.
  • Comprehensive Transfer: Ensure all domain settings and configurations are transferred completely.
  • Domain warming: Cleaning lists and warming up a cold audience will help your domain.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that you should remove the user as a user on your side so that they can start fresh with a TXT record verification. Neil also suggests that the new owner clears their cache.

August 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Black Hat Forum explains that you need to first create the TXT record on the new domain and verify it before deleting the old one. This is to ensure that there is no downtime between deleting and recreating the domain on the new platform.

December 2024 - Black Hat Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user u/TechGuru shares that within Google Postmaster Tools, you can't directly 'reassign' ownership. The simplest method is to have the new owner verify the domain in their own Google account. This usually involves adding a TXT record to the DNS settings.

October 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Namecheap Support recommends logging into your Namecheap account, selecting 'Domain List,' clicking 'Manage' next to the domain, navigating to the 'Sharing' tab, and entering the recipient's Namecheap username or email address.

April 2024 - Namecheap
Marketer view

Email marketer from GoDaddy forums shares that most registrars will have a process for initiating a transfer, which usually involves unlocking the domain and getting an authorization code.

October 2024 - GoDaddy Forums
Marketer view

Email marketer from DigitalOcean Community explains that all of the settings need to be transfered over to the new domain - this includes making sure you don't delete old DNS records until the TTL has expired on the old records.

January 2023 - DigitalOcean Community
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet's Support Team explains that when moving a domain, the new user has to generate new DKIM/SPF records and add them to their DNS. Once complete, the old DNS records from the old account can be removed.

February 2023 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow explains that you need to update the DNS records with the new information - the old DNS records will no longer point to the new domain when you do this.

July 2024 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that to re-assign domain ownership, the new owner needs to add the domain on their end and add their own DNS entry. The existing DNS entry is tied to the current account and cannot be ported. Once the new owner is set up, the old owner can remove their DNS entry.

October 2023 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
1Expert opinion

Maintaining good email deliverability practices, such as warming up cold audiences and regularly cleaning lists by removing inactive subscribers, contributes to a more valuable domain and better overall email performance.

Key opinions

  • Domain Value: Warming up a cold audience enhances the value of your domain.
  • List Hygiene: Regularly cleaning email lists improves deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Subscriber Engagement: Focus on engaging with subscribers to keep them active.
  • Email Frequency: Gradually increase email frequency to warm up cold audiences without overwhelming them.
  • List Segmentation: Segment your email list to target specific groups of subscribers with relevant content.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise shares that by warming up a cold audience you make your domain more valuable. Ensure you are cleaning lists regularly by removing inactive subscribers.

January 2025 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Re-assigning domain ownership in Google Postmaster Tools involves transferring the domain to another Google Account using a transfer code, as outlined in Google Support documentation. DNS records cannot be directly transferred; instead, new records must be generated on the new platform, and old records deleted from the previous one. Verification of ownership is required, typically via TXT records, CNAME records, or HTML file upload. While DNS records can be exported and imported using tools like Cloudflare, manual adjustments might still be needed. SPF records, which should be implemented alongside DKIM, are essential for verifying the sender's domain.

Key findings

  • Transfer Code: Google Workspace domain transfer requires a transfer code.
  • DNS Record Recreation: DNS records must be recreated on the new platform; they cannot be directly transferred.
  • Domain Verification: Domain ownership verification is mandatory, using methods like TXT or CNAME records.
  • SPF Records: SPF records, along with DKIM, help verify the sender's domain.

Key considerations

  • Manual Adjustments: Imported DNS records may require manual adjustments.
  • Google Account Transfer: Transferring to another Google Account is specific to Google Workspace.
  • Deletion of Old Records: Ensure old DNS records are deleted after the new ones are active.
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin explains that you need to verify your ownership of a domain before using it with Google Workspace. You can do this through TXT records, CNAME records, or by uploading an HTML file.

January 2025 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from Google Support explains that to transfer domain ownership in Google Workspace, you must transfer it to another Google Account by following the steps outlined in their help article, which involves generating a transfer code and providing it to the new owner.

January 2025 - Google Support
Technical article

Documentation from Cloudflare explains that DNS records can be exported in various formats and imported into another system, however, some manual adjustments might still be needed after the import.

November 2021 - Cloudflare
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Standard explains that SPF records can be used to verify the sender's domain and that they should be implemented alongside DKIM.

June 2024 - RFC
Technical article

Documentation from MXToolbox explains that DNS records cannot simply be transferred, and to move the records, you need to generate new records on the new platform and delete the old records from the previous platform.

May 2024 - MXToolbox