Google Domains: Verify your domain

Tip: For convenience, expand the steps in this article and print it to refer to as you go through the verification process.

Why verify?

After you verify that you own your domain, you can start using your Google service, such as G Suite, Drive Enterprise, or Cloud Identity. If you have G Suite, you can start using Gmail, Google Drive, and all the other services included with your G Suite account.

How do I verify?

When you sign up for your Google service, you get a verification record that you copy and paste into your domain settings (usually stored with your domain host).

Need help with verification? Contact G Suite support for fast, personalized help that’s included with your G Suite subscription. Google Cloud support is available for customers with Silver, Gold, or Platinum support levels.

Step 1: Get your unique verification record

You get the verification record in the Setup Wizard when you sign up.

Not in the Setup Wizard? Go to Find the G Suite Setup Wizard to find the verification record. Copy your unique verification record, return to this article, and go to Step 2: Sign in to your domain host.

  1. On the Verify your domain and set up email page, click Choose a different method and select Add a domain host record.

    Choose a Different Method drop-down menu

     

  2. From the Value/Answer/Destination field, copy the entire unique verification record.Value/Answer/Destination field shows an example of the verification record.

Tip: If you need a CNAME record instead of a TXT record, in the Add a new TXT record to your domain step in the Setup Wizard, click add a CNAME record. You'll copy and paste both parts of this record into your domain's DNS records.

Step 2: Sign in to your domain host
  1. In the Setup Wizard, on the Verify your domain and set up email page, click the link to open your domain host sign-in page in a new tab.

    Note: If the Setup Wizard doesn’t provide a link to your domain, open the Google Domains® site in a new tab. Keep the Setup Wizard open in the first tab.

  1. In the upper right of the Google Domains homepage, click Sign In.
  2. Enter your email address or phone number and password you created when you purchased your domain from Google Domains and click Next.

    If you don’t know your account information, click Forgot password or get Google Account help.

Step 3: Add the verification record to your domain's DNS records
  1. On the My domains page, next to the domain you want to verify for Google services, click Manage.
  2. On the left column, click DNS.

    Under Domain overview, DNS is selected.

  3. Scroll down to the Custom resource records section.

    The Custom resource records section is shown.

  1. Open the instructions for the type of verification record you want to add to your domain’s DNS records.
Add a TXT verification record (most common)
  1. In the Name field, enter @.
  2. From the Type list, select TXT.
  3. In the TTL field, leave the default value of 1H (1 hour).
  4. In the Data/Text field, paste the entire TXT verification record you copied above.

    The TXT record is entered in the Custom resource records field. The Add button is selected.

  5. Click Add.

    The TXT verification record is saved to your domain’s DNS records.

Add a CNAME verification record
  1. In the Name field, paste the Label/Host portion of the CNAME verification record you copied above.
  2. From the Type list, select CNAME.
  3. In the TTL field, leave the default value of 1H (1 hour).
  4. In the Data/Domain name field, paste the Target/Destination portion of the CNAME verification record you copied above.

    The CNAME record is entered into the Custom resource records fields and the Add button is selected.

  5. Click Add.

    The CNAME verification record is saved to your domain’s DNS records.

 
Step 4: Tell Google to verify
  1. Return to the Setup Wizard.
  2. Check the I saved the verification record box or click Verify.
  3. If you’re a G Suite customer, go to Next steps to set up Gmail.

G Suite: Next steps

Now it’s time to set up Gmail with your G Suite account.

  1. Keep the Setup Wizard and your domain host pages open.
  2. In a separate browser tab or window, follow the instructions to set up Gmail (MX records) with your host.
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