TXT resource records
If you host your own website, you need to know about many technical details that your visitors never have to worry about. One of the most important details is the function of the Domain Name System and the information it contains. In this article, we’ll explain what TXT records are used for.
Cheap domain names
Domains as original as your ideas. What are you waiting for?
Make your project a success with the perfect domain extension!
What are DNS records and what is a TXT record?
Every domain is linked to name servers (DNS) so that it can be queried by its name on the web. For example, the DNS server “translates” the name test.com into the IP address 69.172.200.235.
However, DNS servers do more than just translate a domain name into an IP address. They can provide a large amount of information that is required for smooth and secure exchange of data on the Internet. This information is stored in DNS resource records. There are many different types of resource records, such as CNAME records, A records, PTR records or SOA records. Each of these record types is used for a specific purpose and requires a specific format.
For an introduction to DNS records and a summary of the different record types, see our overview of DNS records.
TXT records are the most flexible type of record. They allow you to store freely definable text and are used for a wide variety of applications. Typical TXT record examples include code keys, which are required to authenticate the domain for services such as Google Analytics.
Creating a TXT record
You typically create TXT records according to the instructions of the service that requires the record. Normally, you receive the full contents of the TXT record so you can easily copy it.
Most importantly, the name of the entry must be correct. TXT records are usually given a specific subdomain name. For example, a DMARC record (see the last line in the screenshot) must always be given the subdomain name _dmarc.
How you create the TXT record depends on the hosting provider. Learn how to add a TXT record.
Looking up a TXT record
TXT records are publicly accessible. A variety of free lookup tools are available online, such as DNS Lookup or Google.
Your very own .uk domain name!
Short, sharp, .uk. Claim your new domain name now!
You can keep the default settings for the DNS server. Click TXT at the top right and enter the domain name (test.com in this example). The TXT record lookup tool returns matching TXT records (in this example, the key for Google Site Verification).
If you must enter a DNS server and don’t know which IP address to use, type in 8.8.8.8. This Google DNS server always works.
You can also run a DNS lookup using the standard tools in Windows. To do this, open Command Prompt (type cmd in the search bar) and use the command nslookup. Our related article explains in detail how to perform a DNS check with nslookup.
Professional Email Address & Personal Domain Name
Give the right first impression with a custom email address and a free matching domain name!
Related articles
What is MX Record? The DNS record (mx) explained
The Domain Name System provides functions that enable internet communication in the first place. The MX record, for example, deals with the disclosure of mail servers. In order to find out where your email must be sent to begin with, the mail server performs an MX record check: It inquires after the specific address. To illustrate this concept, we explain MX records to you with the help of an…
FlashMovieShutterstock Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) explained
A fully qualified domain name (FQDN) is a domain name that specifies the unique and complete address of a website. It consists of several name parts called labels, each separated by a dot. The FQDN has a hierarchical structure set by the domain name system (DNS). The mandatory parts of an FQDN are the host name, domain name, and top level domain of the internet presence.
What is DMARC and how to set up a DMARC record?
How can you spot fraudulent emails if they use a known sender name and look like familiar newsletters or service emails? One way is to use the DMARC verification protocol, which triggers appropriate measures if an email doesn’t pass certain checks. In this article we explain how DMARC can give you an early warning about possible misuse of your sender name.
How to create a DKIM record
Fake emails pose a major threat to recipients. At the same time, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to verify the authenticity of emails and sender addresses. One effective method of verifying the sending mail server and checking the authenticity of emails is called DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). What is DKIM and how do you set it up?
What is an SPF record and how to check it
How can the recipient of an email tell whether a message is actually coming from the person who appears to be sending it? Many scammers attempt to forge the email sender address. But you can protect yourself. You can verify the outbound mail server using the SPF (Sender Policy Framework), a popular authentication method. How does SPF work and what can it do?
