Knowing how to add and remove TXT records lets you verify your domain with Google, set up email authentication and fix delivery problems. A TXT record is a short piece of text stored in your domain’s DNS. This guide walks through six simple steps and the mistakes to avoid.
What a TXT record does
TXT records let you publish text that other services can read. Common uses are site verification, such as the Google verification code, and email authentication like SPF, which tells mail servers who may send email for your domain. See also our guide to a adding your website to Google.
Step 1: Open your DNS settings
Sign in to your Liberation dashboard and open the DNS or zone editor for your domain. If your domain is registered elsewhere, edit the records where your nameservers point. Our domain registration page explains the basics.
Step 2: Choose to add a TXT record
Select the option to add a new record and choose type TXT.
Step 3: Fill in the name and value
For the name, use @ for the main domain unless the service tells you otherwise. Paste the value exactly as given, including any quotation marks the service requires.
Step 4: Save and wait for DNS to update
Save the record. Changes can appear within minutes but sometimes take several hours to spread.
Step 5: Remove a TXT record you no longer need
Find the record in your list, choose delete and confirm. Remove only records you recognize. Deleting an SPF or verification record by mistake can break email or access to a service.
Step 6: Check your work
Use a DNS lookup tool to confirm the record is live. If something still fails, wait and test again.
Mistakes to avoid when you add and remove TXT records
- Creating two SPF records. A domain should have only one.
- Adding extra spaces or missing characters when pasting.
- Deleting records without writing down the old value first.
Common mistakes when you add and remove TXT records
Most TXT record problems come from copy and paste. A stray space, a missing quote or a record added to the wrong name can stop verification from working. Before you add and remove TXT records, copy the value into a plain text editor and check it, then paste it into your DNS settings.
Another frequent issue is changing too many records at once. Add or remove one record, save, then test. If you remove a TXT record that email depends on, messages from your domain can start landing in spam. That is why you should always write down the old value before you delete anything.
When you add and remove TXT records for email, remember the one SPF rule: one SPF record per domain. If a new service asks for SPF, merge its instructions into the existing record instead of adding a second one. If you are not sure, send us the record and we will help you check it before you save.
Keep your DNS tidy
Once you know how to add and remove TXT records, verification and email setup become routine. Record the old values before you change anything, and ask us if you get stuck.
Common reasons to add or remove TXT records
Most people need to add and remove TXT records for one of three reasons. The first is domain verification: services such as Google Search Console and Microsoft 365 ask you to publish a short code in a DNS TXT record to prove you own the domain. Once the service confirms it, you can usually leave the record in place or remove it later if the service no longer needs it.
The second reason is email authentication. SPF is a TXT record that lists the servers allowed to send email for your domain. DKIM stores a public key in a TXT record so receiving servers can check your messages. DMARC is a TXT record on a special subdomain that tells receivers what to do with mail that fails those checks. When you add and remove TXT records for these, you are protecting your domain from spoofing and improving email delivery.
The third reason is service setup. Some tools ask for a TXT record to confirm a subscription or to switch a feature on. Each service explains the exact name and value it expects, so copy them carefully instead of retyping them.
How long it takes for TXT record changes to show
When you add and remove TXT records, the change is not always visible straight away. DNS servers around the world keep a cached copy of each record for a length of time called the TTL. Many changes show up within minutes, but it can take several hours for every resolver to refresh, and in rare cases longer. If you plan a bigger change, such as moving email to a new provider, lower the TTL a day ahead so the update spreads faster. You can check the result with any public DNS lookup tool by searching for TXT records on your domain.
Mistakes to avoid when you add or remove TXT records
- Creating a second SPF record. A domain should have only one SPF TXT record. If you use more than one sending service, merge them into a single record instead of adding another.
- Deleting a record you do not recognise. Copy the existing value somewhere safe first. A record that looks unfamiliar may be keeping email or a verification working.
- Typing errors in the name or value. Extra spaces, missing characters and misplaced quotation marks are common. Some DNS panels add your domain name to the host field automatically, so check whether you should enter @, a subdomain, or the full name.
- Forgetting to keep notes. Write down what you changed, the date, and why. It makes the next change much easier.
If you are ever unsure, ask your domain or email provider to confirm the exact TXT record they expect before you remove anything. A few minutes of checking is far cheaper than a day of missing email.
Frequently asked questions
What is a TXT record?
A TXT record is text stored in your domain DNS that services read to verify ownership or authenticate email.
How long do TXT record changes take?
Often minutes, but sometimes a few hours.
Can I have more than one TXT record?
Yes, but you can have only one SPF record.
Is it safe to delete a TXT record?
Only if you know what it is for. Copy the value first so you can restore it.
Where do I add a TXT record for Google verification?
In your DNS settings, add a TXT record with the value Google gives you, then return to Google to verify.