Description: The TXT (Text) record is a type of DNS record that allows domain administrators to insert arbitrary text into a DNS record. This type of record is particularly useful for storing information that cannot be classified under other types of DNS records, such as A, AAAA, or MX. TXT records are flexible and can contain any type of text, making them ideal for various applications. One of their most notable features is that they can be used for domain verification, as well as for implementing security policies such as SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). In the context of DNS management, TXT records allow users to efficiently manage the textual information associated with their domains. This includes the ability to add TXT records for third-party service validation, email policy configuration, and domain security enhancement. The ability of TXT records to store varied information and their integration with other services make them a valuable tool for domain management.
Uses: TXT records are primarily used for domain verification and the implementation of email security policies. For example, they are employed in SPF configuration to specify which servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of a domain, and in DKIM to allow receivers to verify that an email has not been altered during transit. Additionally, TXT records are used by third-party services to validate domain ownership, such as in the case of Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, where adding a TXT record is required to complete service setup.
Examples: A practical example of using TXT records is the configuration of an SPF record that might look like this: ‘v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all’, indicating that Google’s servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of the domain. Another example is using a TXT record for domain verification in Google, where a specific value is provided that must be added to the DNS to confirm domain ownership.
