About txt record lookup
TXT records hold text that other systems read. They are used for email authentication and for proving you own a domain.
Common uses
- SPF lists the servers allowed to send mail for the domain.
- DKIM publishes a key used to sign messages.
- DMARC sets what to do with mail that fails checks.
- Verification codes from Google, Microsoft and others.
A worked example
A typical result includes v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all (allowed mail senders), google-site-verification=... (proof of ownership for Google) and a DMARC policy on _dmarc.example.com such as v=DMARC1; p=none. Only one SPF record is allowed per domain.
Tips
- Merge SPF includes into one record rather than adding a second.
- Check DKIM at selector._domainkey.yourdomain.
- Remove verification records you no longer need.
Size limits
A single TXT string is limited to 255 characters, and long values such as DKIM keys are split into several quoted pieces that DNS software joins together. This is normal.
