Sooner or later a service will ask you to “add a DNS record to verify your domain” or “point your domain at us” — Google, a mail provider, a marketing tool, a CDN. It sounds technical, but it’s just adding a record in cPanel’s Zone Editor. Here’s how to handle these requests confidently.
The records services usually ask for
- TXT record: the most common. Used to verify you own the domain (Google, Microsoft and many tools do this) and to hold email authentication like SPF and DKIM. The service gives you a string of text to publish.
- CNAME record: points a subdomain at the service’s own address. Common for connecting tools, tracking domains and some CDNs.
- MX record: directs your email to an external mail provider. You’d change these when moving mail to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
- A record: points a name at a specific IP address, used when a service wants your domain aimed at their server.
Adding the record
- In cPanel, open Zone Editor and click Manage next to your domain.
- Click Add Record and choose the type the service specified.
- Enter the name and value exactly as the service provided — copy and paste to avoid typos.
- Set a TTL (3600 is fine) and save.
The golden rule: copy exactly
DNS records are unforgiving of small mistakes. A missing character in a verification string, or a value pasted with an extra space, means the service won’t verify. Copy and paste the values the service gives you rather than typing them, and double-check the record type matches what they asked for.
Verifying takes time
After you add a record, the service won’t see it instantly — DNS changes propagate over minutes to hours. If a verification “fails” immediately, it’s often just too soon. Wait a while and try again before assuming something’s wrong. A DNS lookup tool can confirm your new record is live and visible from the wider internet.
The SPF record gotcha
One common trip-up: you can only have one SPF (TXT) record per domain. If a new service wants to be added to your SPF, you merge its details into your existing SPF record rather than creating a second one — two SPF records break email authentication entirely. This is worth knowing when connecting a mail-sending service.
Don’t remove records you don’t recognise
When adding records, resist the urge to “tidy up” existing ones you don’t understand. That MX or TXT record you don’t recognise might be keeping your email working. Only change what the service specifically instructs.
DNS mistakes can knock out your website or email, so if a service’s instructions leave you unsure, forward them to us and we’ll add the records correctly for you. It’s a routine request and we’re glad to help.
