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Verify domain ownership

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Before we can activate Google Apps services for your domain, we need to make sure that you own it. We do this by having you verify domain ownership. This protects your domain by ensuring that only your organization can use it to send mail from Google Apps user accounts and access other Google services. You must verify your domain before you can use Gmail or any of your other new services.

Verifying your domain does not disrupt your current mailflow or affect other existing services.

Options for verifying your domain or subdomain

You can verify your domain in any of several ways, depending on which is most convenient. After you sign up for Google Apps, you'll be asked to choose a method from your Google Admin console. Each method requires that you can access either your domain's DNS settings or the source files on your domain's web server (which proves to us that you own your domain).

For subdomain verification, use TXT record, CNAME record, or HTML file. For further clarification on the difference between domain and subdomain, see Basic Guide to Domain Names.

Choose a method from your Admin console (available methods may vary):

  • Create a TXT record or Create CNAME records in your domain's DNS settings.
    These methods require accessing DNS settings for your domain at your domain host's website.
     
  • Upload an HTML file to your domain's web server.
    This method requires being able to upload files to your domain's web server. Try doing this if you don't have access to your domain's DNS settings.
     
  • Add a <meta> tag to your home page
    This method is available only for some customers (it's another new method we're rolling out). It requires accessing your domain's web server but not uploading to it. Try doing this if you have write access to files on the server but can't upload new files.
     
  • Verify using your Google Analytics tracking code
    This method requires that you have a Google Analytics account for the same domain you're signing up for Google Apps.
How do I begin?
  1. Just sign up for Google Apps and follow the instructions that appear during the signup process. They will walk you through choosing a verification method and completing all the required steps.

    If you already signed up, but skipped the option to verify, sign in to the Google Admin console and, depending on which UI you have, click Confirm that you own your domain or Activate Google Apps at the top of your Dashboard. Then follow the instructions that appear.
     
  2. After completing the steps outlined in the instructions, click Verify in your Admin console to let Google know that you're done. After that, you'll know when verification is complete by checking the status of services. Next to Calendar, for example, it will no longer say Not active (or Updating). In the classic Admin console, you can check the status of your services on the dashboard. In the new Admin console, click Google Apps to see the services and their status.

    You must complete verification within 14-21 days of signing up for Google Apps, or we'll remove your domain from our system and you'll have to sign up again. Click the link below for details.
When should I verify my domain?

You won't be able to activate any Google Apps services for your domain until you complete verification, so it's best to complete this step now.

If you signed up for Google Apps, you must verify domain ownership within 14 days. For Google Apps for Business or Education, you have 21 days. If you don't verify ownership within this timeframe, we'll remove your domain and data from our system. If you want to use Google Apps in the future, just sign up again with your domain.

You must also verify domain ownership when adding a domain alias, and you might be asked to do so if Google has to reset your administrator password.

When you verify that you own a domain, you've proven that you have control of the domain, all its subdomains, and all sites in those subdomains. Similarly, if you have verified ownership of http://www.example.com and later add http://www.example.com/test, you're automatically verified as an owner of http://www.example.com/test.
How long does verification take?

It depends on which verification method you use. Here's an estimated timeframe for each method:

What if I need help?

Some verification methods require making changes to your DNS setting at your domain host's web site. For help making these changes, contact your domain host directly.

If you're using Google Apps for Business, you can contact our Support team for help with other verification or setup tasks.

Some third-party Google Apps partners also offer paid setup assistance. Check out the Google Apps Marketplace to find a partner.

 

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