# How do you add email DNS records in GoDaddy?

URL: https://iblockspam.com/blog/add-email-dns-records-godaddy
Last updated: 2026-10-09
Published: 2026-10-09
Topic: Setup guides
Author: iBlockSpam Team

> How to add and edit SPF, DKIM, DMARC and MX records in GoDaddy DNS: exact fields, the one-SPF-record rule, Domain Protection checks and how to verify them.

## Short answer

In GoDaddy, open your Domain Portfolio, select the domain, open the DNS tab and select Add New Record. Choose TXT for SPF and DMARC, TXT or CNAME for DKIM, or MX for mail routing, enter the Name without your domain (@ for the root) and the Value your provider gives you, then select Save.

GoDaddy is where many small businesses first registered their domain, so it's often where email DNS records end up too. The DNS editor is straightforward, but a few details catch people out: the Name field never includes your domain, only one SPF record can work, and MX changes take effect for all your mail at once.

This guide shows how to add SPF, DKIM, DMARC and MX records in GoDaddy, using GoDaddy's own help articles for every step. If you're new to these records, read [SPF vs DKIM vs DMARC](https://iblockspam.com/blog/spf-vs-dkim-vs-dmarc) first.

## Is your DNS actually hosted at GoDaddy?

Check this first. GoDaddy says domains using its nameservers "can add, edit or delete DNS records in your GoDaddy account," while for other domains "DNS settings are managed through at a different DNS or hosting provider, not GoDaddy" ([GoDaddy Help](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/manage-dns-records-680)).

Many domains are registered at GoDaddy but use Cloudflare, a web host or Microsoft for DNS. If yours is one of them, records you add in GoDaddy won't be published. Look up your domain's live nameservers with our [MX Lookup](https://iblockspam.com/tools/mx-lookup), or check the nameservers section of the domain in GoDaddy. If DNS is hosted at Cloudflare, follow our [Cloudflare guide](https://iblockspam.com/blog/add-dmarc-spf-dkim-records-cloudflare) instead.

## Where do you add DNS records in GoDaddy?

Every record type uses the same screen ([GoDaddy Help](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/add-a-txt-record-19232)):

1. Sign in to your GoDaddy **Domain Portfolio**.
2. Select the domain to open its **Domain Settings** page.
3. Select **DNS** to see the domain's records.
4. Select **Add New Record** and choose the **Type**.
5. Fill in the fields.
6. Select **Save**. To add several records at once, use **Add More Records**, then **Save All Records**.

The fields GoDaddy shows:

| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| **Type** | TXT, CNAME or MX |
| **Name** | The host or prefix without your domain. `@` means the root domain |
| **Value** | The text, hostname or mail server your provider gives you |
| **Priority** | MX records only. GoDaddy says lower numbers are tried first |
| **TTL** | How long servers cache the record. GoDaddy's default is 1 hour |

GoDaddy's rules for **Name**: dots are allowed but not as the first or last character, and not two in a row; it can't start or end with a hyphen; each part between dots can be up to 63 characters, and the full name up to 255. A TXT **Value** can be up to 1,024 ASCII characters ([GoDaddy Help](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/add-a-txt-record-19232)), which is room enough for a 2048-bit DKIM key.

### What is the Domain Protection check?

If your domain has Domain Protection, GoDaddy asks for extra verification when you save. You enter a code from 2-step verification (text message or authenticator app) if it has been on for at least 24 hours, or otherwise a one-time password sent to your GoDaddy account email. Have that ready before you start.

## How do you add or edit an SPF record in GoDaddy?

GoDaddy treats SPF as a TXT record on the root domain, and warns that "Only one SPF record will work on your domain at a time" ([GoDaddy Help](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/add-an-spf-record-19218)). [RFC 7208, section 3.2](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7208.html#section-3.2) says the same: a domain "MUST NOT have multiple records" that an SPF check would select.

GoDaddy email services and Microsoft 365 from GoDaddy may already have published one. So check before you add:

1. On the **DNS** tab, look for a TXT record with Name `@` and a value starting `v=spf1`.
2. If it exists, select the **Edit** icon next to it ([GoDaddy Help](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/edit-a-txt-record-19233)), add your new include before the final `all` term, and select **Save**.
3. If none exists, select **Add New Record**, choose **TXT**, enter `@` as the **Name**, paste your SPF record as the **Value**, and select **Save**.

For example, a domain that uses Microsoft 365 directly and Zendesk for support email might end up with `v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:mail.zendesk.com -all`. Get each include from your providers. Our [GoDaddy SPF page](https://iblockspam.com/spf/godaddy) lists GoDaddy's own include, the [SPF Record Generator](https://iblockspam.com/tools/spf-generator) builds a merged record, and the [SPF syntax guide](https://iblockspam.com/blog/spf-record-syntax-examples) explains each term.

## How do you add a DKIM record in GoDaddy?

Your email provider creates the DKIM key. You publish what it shows you, which is either a TXT record or one or more CNAME records.

### When your provider gives a TXT record

1. Select **Add New Record** and choose **TXT**.
2. For **Name**, enter the selector host without your domain, for example `google._domainkey`.
3. Paste the key, which starts `v=DKIM1;`, into **Value**. Copy it in one piece with no added spaces or line breaks.
4. Select **Save**.

### When your provider gives CNAME records

Microsoft 365 and many sending platforms use CNAMEs that point to a key they host. GoDaddy's CNAME steps are below ([GoDaddy Help](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/add-a-cname-record-19236)).

1. Select **Add New Record** and choose **CNAME**.
2. For **Name**, enter the host, such as `selector1._domainkey`. GoDaddy notes that a CNAME name can't be `@` and can't already be used by another record.
3. For **Value**, paste the provider's target hostname.
4. Select **Save**, then add the second CNAME if your provider gives two.

After DNS updates, go back to your provider's admin console and turn DKIM signing on. Our [DKIM setup guide for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace](https://iblockspam.com/blog/dkim-setup-microsoft-365-google-workspace) shows where, and our [DKIM records by provider](https://iblockspam.com/dkim) pages list the hosts each service uses.

## How do you add a DMARC record in GoDaddy?

DMARC is a TXT record at `_dmarc`.

1. Select **Add New Record** and choose **TXT**.
2. Enter `_dmarc` as the **Name**.
3. Enter your policy as the **Value**, for example `v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@example.com`.
4. Select **Save**.

If a `_dmarc` TXT record already exists, edit it instead of adding a second one. Start with `p=none` and a reporting address you read, then tighten the policy once your reports show every legitimate sender passing. Our [DMARC Record Generator](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dmarc-generator) builds the record, and the [none-to-reject guide](https://iblockspam.com/blog/dmarc-none-to-reject-small-business) covers the rollout.

## How do you change MX records in GoDaddy?

GoDaddy warns that "Adding, editing, and deleting MX records may interrupt any email services currently connected to your domain" ([GoDaddy Help](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/add-an-mx-record-19234)). Plan the change before you start, and read [how to change MX records without losing email](https://iblockspam.com/blog/change-mx-records-without-losing-email).

1. On the **DNS** tab, note your current MX records so you can roll back.
2. Select **Add New Record** and choose **MX**.
3. Enter `@` as the **Name**.
4. Enter the **Priority** and the mail server hostname as the **Value**, exactly as your provider or filtering service gives them.
5. Select **Save**. Add any further MX hosts the same way.
6. Remove the old MX records only when your new provider's instructions say to.

GoDaddy adds MX records automatically when a domain uses GoDaddy nameservers and is connected to one of its own email services. If you move mail elsewhere, check that those older records are gone, or mail may still be delivered to the old service.

## How do you check the records after saving?

GoDaddy says "Most DNS updates take effect within an hour but could take up to 48 hours to update globally." Once the change is live, check each record:

| Record | Check with |
|---|---|
| MX | [MX Lookup](https://iblockspam.com/tools/mx-lookup) |
| SPF | [SPF Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/spf-checker): one record, valid syntax, under 10 lookups |
| DKIM | [DKIM Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dkim-checker) with your selector |
| DMARC | [DMARC Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dmarc-checker) |

Then send a test message to an outside mailbox and look at the authentication results in its headers. Our guide to [reading email headers](https://iblockspam.com/blog/how-to-read-email-headers) shows where they are.

## What are the common GoDaddy DNS mistakes?

- **The domain in the Name field.** GoDaddy wants the prefix only, so enter `_dmarc`, not `_dmarc.example.com`, or the record can end up at the wrong name.
- **A second SPF record.** Edit the existing one.
- **Editing DNS at GoDaddy when the nameservers point elsewhere.** Nothing changes for the outside world.
- **Leftover MX records** from GoDaddy email after moving to another provider.
- **Turning on DMARC enforcement before DKIM works.** Check your reports first; see [why DMARC fails](https://iblockspam.com/blog/why-dmarc-fails).

## Next steps

1. Scan your domain with the [Email Health Check](https://iblockspam.com/tools/email-health-check) to see every record at once.
2. Build a clean SPF record with the [SPF Record Generator](https://iblockspam.com/tools/spf-generator) and a DMARC record with the [DMARC Record Generator](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dmarc-generator).
3. Confirm DKIM with the [DKIM Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dkim-checker) after you turn signing on.
4. Starting a new domain? Work through the [new domain email setup checklist](https://iblockspam.com/blog/new-domain-email-setup-checklist).

If you add a filtering service such as iBlockSpam in front of your mailboxes, the MX steps above are the same; only the values change. More guides are in [setup guides](https://iblockspam.com/blog/topic/setup).

## Frequently asked questions

### Why can't I edit DNS records in my GoDaddy account?

GoDaddy says you can only add, edit or delete records in your GoDaddy account when the domain uses GoDaddy nameservers. If it points to another DNS or hosting provider, such as Cloudflare or your web host, make the changes there. A change made in the wrong place has no effect.

### Do I type my full domain name in the GoDaddy Name field?

No. GoDaddy asks for the hostname or prefix without the domain name, and @ for the root domain. For DMARC enter _dmarc, not _dmarc.example.com. For a DKIM record enter the host your provider gives, such as selector1._domainkey. GoDaddy adds your domain automatically.

### Can I have two SPF records in GoDaddy?

No. GoDaddy says only one SPF record will work on your domain at a time, and RFC 7208 forbids multiple SPF records. If GoDaddy email or a website builder already added one, edit that TXT record and add the new include to it instead of creating a second record.

### How long do GoDaddy DNS changes take?

GoDaddy says most DNS updates take effect within an hour but could take up to 48 hours to update globally. The default TTL on new records is 1 hour. If a checker still shows the old value soon after saving, wait for the old TTL to pass before changing anything again.

### Why does GoDaddy ask for a code when I save a DNS record?

Domains with GoDaddy Domain Protection need extra identity verification for DNS changes. GoDaddy asks for a code from your 2-step verification text message or authenticator app, or a one-time password sent to your GoDaddy account email if 2-step verification hasn't been on for at least 24 hours.

## Sources

- [GoDaddy Help: Add a TXT record](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/add-a-txt-record-19232)
- [GoDaddy Help: Edit a TXT record](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/edit-a-txt-record-19233)
- [GoDaddy Help: Add an SPF record](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/add-an-spf-record-19218)
- [GoDaddy Help: Add a CNAME record](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/add-a-cname-record-19236)
- [GoDaddy Help: Add an MX record](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/add-an-mx-record-19234)
- [GoDaddy Help: Manage DNS records](https://www.godaddy.com/en/help/manage-dns-records-680)
- [RFC 7208: Sender Policy Framework (SPF), section 3.2](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7208.html#section-3.2)

## Free tools for this guide

- [SPF Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/spf-checker): Count real DNS lookups, find PermErrors, loops and risky "all" settings.
- [DKIM Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dkim-checker): Validate DKIM keys by selector, including key type and strength.
- [DMARC Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dmarc-checker): Check your policy, reporting and the safe path from p=none to reject.
- [MX Lookup](https://iblockspam.com/tools/mx-lookup): See where your mail is delivered, spot unfiltered backup MX and broken hosts.

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Source: iBlockSpam, https://iblockspam.com/blog/add-email-dns-records-godaddy (this is a Markdown copy; the HTML page is canonical). Quote with attribution and a link. Site index for AI assistants: https://iblockspam.com/llms.txt