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 Google Workspace, Essentials, or Cloud Identity. If you have Google Workspace, you can start using Gmail, Google Drive, and all the other services included with your 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 Google Workspace support for fast, personalized help that’s included with your Google Workspace subscription. Google Cloud support is available for customers with Silver, Gold, or Platinum support levels.

Step 1: Get your unique verification record

If you already signed up for Google Workspace but didn't complete the setup process, you can pick up where you left off.

  1. Sign in to your Google Admin console.

    Sign in using your administrator account (does not end in @gmail.com).

  2. Open the setup tool and click Verify.

    A red circle highlights the "Activate" option in the domain verification section.

  3. Click Continue to verify your domain with a TXT record. You can also click Switch verification method if you need to use another method.

    A red circle highlights the Continue button at the bottom of the Here

  4. Click Copy to copy your unique verification record.

    A red circle highlights the Copy button next to the TXT verification record.

Step 2: Sign in to your domain host
  1. Open Google Domains in a new 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 tool in the Admin console and click Verify.

    A red circle highlights the "Activate" option in the domain verification section.

  2. Click Continue, then scroll to the bottom of the next page. Click Verify my domain.

    A red circle highlights the Verify My Domain button on Step 5. Add your TXT Record page of the wizard

Google Workspace: Next steps

Now it’s time to set up Gmail with your Google Workspace account.

  1. Keep the Admin console 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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