Overview

DNS records are instructions kept on authoritative name servers that tell your domain where to direct traffic. Managing these records is essential for connecting domains to web hosts and email services.

Common Types of DNS Records

• A Record (Address Record): Maps a domain name directly to an IPv4 numerical IP address.
• AAAA Record: Maps a domain name to an IPv6 numerical IP address.
• CNAME Record (Canonical Name): Aliases one domain or subdomain to another primary domain (e.g., pointing www.example.com to example.com).
• MX Record (Mail Exchange): Directs incoming emails to your designated mail server provider (such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365).
• TXT Record: Holds text information used for domain ownership verification, site security, and spam prevention (SPF and DKIM records).

Propagation Time

When you update a DNS record, it does not change instantly worldwide. DNS propagation typically takes anywhere from 2 to 24 hours while global internet service providers (ISPs) update their local cached records.