Verify your domain with a TXT record

If you purchased your domain through Google or a Google partner when you signed up for Google Workspace, your domain has already been verified. No further steps are needed.

Why do I need to do this?

We don't want someone else to use your domain to sign up for Google Workspace. You can help us keep your domain safe by showing us that you are the owner.

How this works

Every domain (like your-company.com) has a set of DNS records that can be viewed by anyone on the internet. DNS records tell computers how to find your website and where to deliver your company's email messages.

• You'll copy a verification code from the Google Workspace setup tool.
• You'll sign in to your domain registrar and paste the verification code in to the DNS records for your domain.
• After your domain registrar publishes your verification code, we'll know you are the owner of your domain.

Note: We may ask you to verify your domain using TXT, MX, or CNAME records. Follow the instructions in our setup tool to complete these steps. 

Explain this more

Watch a video (3 minutes)

A Beginner's Guide to Signing up for Google Workspace

I'm an advanced user—show me technical details & alternatives

You're about to add a TXT record to the DNS settings at your domain registrar. This is the easiest method for most new Google Workspace administrators.

• If you prefer a different verification method, you can also use the setup tool to add a CNAME record at your domain registrar. This is similar to the TXT verification method described later on this page.
• If your domain doesn't have MX records used by an existing email provider, you might be able to use an MX record to confirm your domain ownership. Note: The setup tool only offers this option if it determines that your domain is eligible for this verification method.

To use one of these other verification methods, click Switch verification methods when you open the setup tool.

 

To complete this task, open two tabs in your web browser, like this: 

Tab 1: Sign in to your domain registrar

You update your domain settings at your domain registrar's website, not at Google. To get started, make sure you have the account ID and password needed to sign in to your domain registrar.

Google can't sign in to your domain registrar—only a domain's owner can do that. Contact your registrar if you need help accessing this account.

Who is my domain registrar?

Usually your domain registrar is:

• The company where you bought your domain.
• The company that hosts your website. 

Help me identify my registrar

Tip: The setup tool in the next step might also be able to identify your domain registrar.

Tab 2: Open the Google Workspace setup tool

You get instructions and complete this task using the setup tool. You must use the setup tool to complete this task.

If you don't already have the setup tool open in another tab, click the following button to open it.

Open the setup tool

To continue, follow the instructions in the setup tool and return to this page only if you need more information.

I'm stuck and need help

I get an error when I click the blue button

The setup tool is for Google Workspace and Cloud Identity administrators only. It doesn't work with any other Google product.

Make sure you're signing in with an admin account.

What you'll do at the setup tool

Explaining how to change DNS records is challenging because the steps are slightly different for each domain registrar. We recommend that you follow steps at the setup tool, or find steps for your domain registrar. But to preview generic steps now, click below.

Verify your domain (generic steps)

	Find your DNS records (a) Open a new tab and sign in to your registrar's website. This is usually the place where you bought your domain or where you host your web site. (b) Find the page on your registrar's site where you manage the domains you own.  (c) Select the domain you're setting up today and look for the place where you manage DNS records. This page might be called: DNS settings or DNS management Advanced settings Name server management Control panel Important: If you have trouble finding DNS records, contact your registrar for help.
	Add your verification code  (a) In the setup tool, copy your verification code. (b) Switch to the tab with your registrar's web site and create a new TXT record.  Look for a field called Name. This field might also be called Host, Hostname, or Alias. Many registrars want you to enter @ in this field. Some might want you to enter your domain name or a subdomain. Contact your registrar if you need help with this.    Paste the verification code you copied from the setup tool into the Value field. This field might also be called Data, Answer, or Destination. (c) Save your new TXT record. Your verification code will soon be visible to other computers on the internet.
	Tell Google to verify your code (a) Return to the browser tab where you have the Google Workspace setup tool open. (You can reopen the tool if you closed it.) (b) On the page where you copied your verification code, scroll to the bottom and click Protect domain. Important: Some registrars may require additional time to publish your verification code. If the Google Workspace setup tool can't find your new TXT record, wait an hour before you try again. If you need additional help with your DNS settings, contact your registrar. They are experts in managing your domain and are eager to help you.

Next steps

1. Return to the Google Workspace setup tool, where you can:
   • Add other users to your account.
   • Activate Gmail for your organization.
2. Review the quick start guides to continue setting up Google Workspace for your organization.

Get support

If you need help with verification you can contact ​Google Workspace​ support.

Next steps (Google Workspace only)

After you verify your domain, you can set up Gmail with Google Workspace. Keep the Admin Console and your domain host site open in your browser. In a new tab or window, open detailed instructions for setting up Gmail with your host.