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Adding a CNAME Record to Your Domain

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Web & Domains beginner 3 min read Free Updated 2026-07-31

Step-by-step instructions for adding a CNAME record at a domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.) to verify domain ownership for services such as Google Workspace, including an example record layout and DNS-propagation troubleshooting.

Need to add a CNAME record to verify your domain or connect a service like Google Workspace? This walkthrough covers signing in to your registrar, finding the right Label and Target values, adding the record, and what to do when it stubbornly won't verify.

You might need to add a CNAME record to your domain host to verify your domain or reset an admin password. Your domain host is typically where you purchased your domain name (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).

Step 1 — Sign in to your domain host

Open a browser and sign in to your registrar's control panel. If unsure who hosts your domain, run a WHOIS lookup on your domain name.

Step 2 — Get your CNAME record values

Google Workspace (or whichever service requires the record) will show you two values: a Label/Host and a Destination/Target. Keep that tab open.

Step 3 — Add the record

Navigate to your domain's DNS settings. Add a new record, select CNAME as the type, then paste in the Label and Target values. Save the record.

Example layout

Type:   CNAME
Label:  googleXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
TTL:    3600
Target: xx-XXXXXXXXXX.domainverify.googlehosted.com

DNS changes can take up to 72 hours to propagate. If the service still shows "not verified" after an hour, double-check for trailing dots or extra spaces in the values.

#dns#cname#google-workspace#domain-verification#registrar

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