TXT records are a type of Domain Name System (DNS) record in text format, which contain information about your domain. TXT records also have information that helps external network servers and services handle outgoing email from your domain. Google and Gmail use DNS TXT records to verify domain ownership, ensure email security, and prevent spam and phishing.
Use TXT records to verify domain ownership
When you set up your Google Workspace or Google Cloud account, Google gives you a TXT record to add to your domain settings. When Google detects that you’ve added the TXT record, your domain ownership is confirmed. For more details, visit Verify your domain with a TXT record.
Note: If you purchased your domain when you signed up for Google Workspace, you don’t need to verify ownership.
Use TXT records to ensure email security
Use DNS TXT records with Google Workspace to prevent phishing, spamming, and other malicious activity:
- SPF records protect your domain from being used to send spam.
- DKIM signing uses encryption to secure the content of your email.
- DMARC authentication helps you manage messages checked by SPF and DKIM.
- MTA-STS increases security for SMTP connections when both sending and receiving servers use this standard.
- BIMI lets you add a verified brand image, like a logo, to messages authenticated with DMARC.
Add TXT records at your domain provider
To add a TXT record, you need to sign in separately to your domain host. Your domain host is typically where you purchased your domain name. If you’re not sure who that is, you can identify your domain host.
We recommend adding no more than 49 TXT records at your domain provider because this is the maximum number supported by most domain providers.
For more information on creating TXT records, contact your domain host’s support team.
