DNS

DNS record guides

Problem-first guides for the records that affect email — add them correctly, verify propagation, and link to tools when you need a second opinion.

Record types

MX record

Where mail is delivered — priorities, providers, verification.

TXT record

SPF, DKIM, DMARC, verification — and the one-SPF rule.

CNAME record

Aliases, apex limits, DKIM CNAMEs.

A record

Point hostnames to IPv4 — sites, mail hosts, PTR.

AAAA record

IPv6 addresses for dual-stack setups.

PTR record

Reverse DNS at your host — not the registrar.

SPF record

Authorised senders, includes, and the 10-lookup limit.

DKIM record

Publish your public key — avoid truncation.

DMARC record

Policy, reports, and rollout from p=none to reject.

NS record

Nameservers at the registrar — delegation and cutovers.

Propagation guides

DNS propagation

TTL, timelines, and checking five resolvers at once.

A record propagation

How long A changes take and what to do if stuck.

MX record propagation

Email during MX changes, TTL, verification.

TXT record propagation

SPF, DKIM, DMARC — verify auth records are live.

CNAME propagation

DKIM CNAMEs, chains, and TTL.

DNS providers

DNS provider guides

Cloudflare, Route 53, Google Cloud DNS, Azure, DigitalOcean — DMARC, SPF, DKIM, propagation.