What are DNS Records?

This page explains DNS Records, including A, CNAME, MX, and TXT records - the most relevant for WordPress websites.

DNS stands for Domain Name System. The purpose of DNS is translate your server's IP address into a friendly, easily-legible name that humans can remember. It's much easier for humans to remember a name than it is a string of numbers.

DNS Records direct the different types of traffic for a domain name to the proper server(s). Each DNS Record corresponds to a different type of service or traffic your domain might receive.

For example:

  • A records are set for "hosts" and standard website traffic

  • CNAME records are set as "Aliases" or Canonical records

  • MX records direct email traffic

  • TXT records provide many useful options, like domain ownership verification and enhanced security options

This is not a complete list. You can review all the different DNS Record Types.

Here's a video on how to configure DNS Records:

How to Configure DNS Records

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