GoDaddy TXT Record: How to Add One, Step by Step

By Umair Ali Sadaqat · Updated November 6, 2026 · Editorial policy

Add a TXT record in GoDaddy DNS in a few clicks: exact steps, SPF and verification values, common mistakes, and how to confirm the record is live.

Short answer: In GoDaddy, open your domain's DNS settings (Domain Portfolio, then the domain, then DNS), choose Add New Record, set Type to TXT, enter @ (or a prefix) as the Name, paste the value your provider gave you, leave TTL at the default, and save. Most changes work within an hour, though GoDaddy says it can take up to 48 hours.

Before you start

A TXT record is a line of text attached to a domain name in DNS. Services read it to confirm you own the domain or to learn which servers may send email for it. If you want the background, see what a TXT record is.

Two things to confirm first:

Your domain uses GoDaddy nameservers. GoDaddy's DNS editor only applies if GoDaddy runs your DNS. If you pointed nameservers at another host, add the record there instead.
You have the exact value. It comes from the service asking for it (Google, Microsoft, your email sender, an SSL provider). Copy it rather than retyping it.

How to add a TXT record in GoDaddy

GoDaddy's menu labels have changed over the years, and its help pages show slightly different versions, so your screen may use different wording. The flow is the same.

Sign in to your GoDaddy account and open your Domain Portfolio.
Select the domain, then open its DNS page (older dashboards: Domain Edit Options, then Edit DNS).
Select Add New Record (older: Add).
Set Type to TXT.
In Name, enter @ for the root domain, or just the prefix (for example _dmarc) for a specific name.
In Value, paste the string from your provider. Keep quotation marks out unless the provider says otherwise, since GoDaddy's field stores the text as entered.
Leave TTL at the default (GoDaddy lists 1 hour) unless you're about to change the record often.
Select Save (older: Add Record).

To change a value later, use the pencil/edit icon on the existing row rather than adding a duplicate.

Common TXT values and where they go

Purpose	Name	Value looks like	Notes
Domain verification (Google, Microsoft, Stripe, etc.)	`@` (or the prefix they specify)	A provider-specific string, such as `google-site-verification=...`	Copy exactly; never edit the token
SPF for GoDaddy email	`@`	`v=spf1 include:secureserver.net -all`	Value GoDaddy lists for Microsoft 365 from GoDaddy; GoDaddy also lists it for Professional Email, Linux Hosting and Media Temple Mail
SPF with other senders	`@`	One `v=spf1` line combining every sender's include	Get each include from that provider
DMARC	`_dmarc`	Starts with `v=DMARC1;`	Policy values depend on your goals
DKIM	A selector name given by your email provider	A long key starting `v=DKIM1;`	Some providers use CNAME instead; follow their instructions

Where the right value depends on a third party, I've described the format rather than a literal value, since providers change them. If you use Microsoft 365 with GoDaddy's Advanced Email Security add-on, GoDaddy says to check the SPF value in your Email & Office Dashboard instead of using the one above.

The one-SPF-record rule

GoDaddy states a domain can only have one SPF record, and that multiple SPF records (or an incorrect one) can stop email from being delivered. If you add a new email service, edit the existing SPF line to add its include:, don't create a second.

For example, if you currently send through GoDaddy and add a newsletter tool, you'd merge them into a single value that starts with v=spf1, lists both includes, and ends with one -all (or ~all). Get the newsletter tool's include text from its own documentation.

Common mistakes

Adding the record at the wrong DNS host. If nameservers aren't GoDaddy's, the record saves nowhere useful. Check the Nameservers section of the domain first.
Typing the full domain in Name. Use @ or the prefix only. Entering example.com can create a name like example.com.example.com at some DNS hosts.
Creating a second SPF record. Edit the existing one.
Extra spaces or smart quotes. Pasting from a document or email can add invisible characters. Paste into a plain text editor first if verification fails.
Exceeding the length limit. GoDaddy's current guide caps the value at 1024 characters.
Checking too early. If you set a long TTL on a previous value, resolvers may still serve the old answer.
Deleting a verification TXT too soon. Some services re-check periodically. Keep the record unless the provider says it's safe to remove.

Check that it worked

Use this checklist after saving:

[ ] The row appears in your GoDaddy DNS list with Type TXT and the right Name
[ ] The value matches the provider's string character for character
[ ] You waited at least the TTL (and up to an hour for most changes)
[ ] A DNS lookup tool shows the record. From a terminal: dig TXT example.com +short (macOS/Linux) or nslookup -type=TXT example.com (Windows). For a prefix, query _dmarc.example.com
[ ] Only one v=spf1 record is returned for the root domain
[ ] You clicked Verify in the provider's dashboard

If the lookup shows nothing after a few hours, re-check nameservers and the Name field. If it shows the record but the provider still fails, compare the value for stray spaces or quotes.

Related DNS tasks on GoDaddy

If you're setting up email authentication beyond SPF, the same screen handles it, and BIMI builds on a working DMARC record. If you ever decide GoDaddy isn't the right home for your domain or site, see GoDaddy alternatives, or compare plans in Hostinger vs GoDaddy.

Not looking to manage DNS at all? We.Inc's free plan lets you publish up to three sites from ready-made templates; the AI builder that drafts a site from a prompt starts on the Starter plan at $20 a month. You can sign up here.

*GoDaddy steps and values checked November 2026 against GoDaddy's help pages for adding TXT and SPF records. Menu labels vary by dashboard version.*

Frequently asked questions

How long does a GoDaddy TXT record take to show up?

GoDaddy says most DNS changes take effect within an hour but can take up to 48 hours to update globally. The TTL you set (default 1 hour) controls how long resolvers cache the old answer.

What do I put in the Name field for a TXT record?

Use @ for the root domain (example.com). For a subdomain-specific record, enter only the prefix, such as _dmarc or a verification label your provider gives you, not the full domain name.

Can I have more than one TXT record on the same name?

Yes, for most purposes. A domain commonly carries several TXT records at @ for different verification services. The exception is SPF: GoDaddy notes a domain can only have one SPF record, and multiple SPF records can cause email delivery problems.

What is the maximum length of a TXT value in GoDaddy?

GoDaddy's current help article says the value is limited to 1024 characters and supports only UTF-8 characters. If a provider hands you something longer, check their docs for how to split it.

Why can't I add a TXT record in GoDaddy even though I own the domain?

The most common reason is that the domain's nameservers point somewhere else (Cloudflare, your host, and so on). GoDaddy's DNS editor only controls records when the domain uses GoDaddy nameservers. Otherwise, add the record at whichever provider runs your DNS.

Alternatives mentioned in this article

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