Cloudflare: How to Add TXT Record

TXT records can be used to verify domain ownership, prevent email spam, and specify framework policies. They can also provide general information and contact points for the domain. There are no specific formatting requirements for TXT records, but remember that they’re not intended for storing large amounts of data. This guide will teach you how to add a TXT record to your Cloudflare DNS.

How to Add TXT Record on Cloudflare

Once you have added your domain to Cloudflare, follow the steps to add the record.

1. Sign in to your Cloudflare account and select your website under the Select Website list.
   
2. Click DNS on the left side of the screen.
   
3. Click on the Add record button on the right.
   
4. Change the Type field to TXT.
   
5. Enter the information provided by the site you want to use in the Name bar.
   
6. Set Auto in the TTL field.
   
7. Click on Save to complete the process.
   

It is recommended that you copy the content provided by the site to avoid any errors, as it is case-sensitive. Always choose Auto for your TTL field. But if the site or service you want to use has provided a different setting, ensure you follow their guidelines.

Tips on Adding TXT Record in Cloudflare

Sometimes, the site or service you want to use may fail to authenticate the TXT record you add to Cloudflare. Here’s what you can do to help resolve this issue:

• Double-check to ensure that you selected the right domain to update.
• Ensure that you have set the Type field correctly. It should read TXT.
• Check whether the content you entered in the content field matches the information provided by the site you want to use. You can easily correct any mistakes made by clicking on the Edit link at the end of the field.
• Double-check that you set the TTL field correctly. A higher duration means a longer wait time, and updates will take longer to register on the site.

Most sites that need you to verify your domain will do this once. You can delete any TXT record at any time. But you may need to re-do the process for sites checking your domain periodically in case you delete the TXT record.

You can’t proxy or cache a TXT record on Cloudflare. This is because the domain is grey-clouded and benefits from all of Cloudflare’s systems.

How Adding TXT Records Protects You from Email Spam

Spamming has become one of the leading issues in cybersecurity globally. Spammers work by creating fake domains, which they use to send emails to different websites without authorization. Adding TXT records to your email helps your email server prove email authenticity. It notifies you of any instances where spammers try to spoof your domain.

You can use several categories of TXT records to prevent email spamming. They include:

SPF Records: The Sender Policy Framework TXT records carry a detailed list of all authorized servers allowed to send emails from a specific domain. It also helps to maintain high email deliverability.

DKIM Records: The Domain Keys Identified Mail system utilizes a public-private pair key to sign each email digitally uniquely. The TXT record added to a specific domain helps to host this public-private pair key. This helps prove that the email you receive is from a trusted source.

DMARC Records: This type of TXT record utilizes SPF and DKIM to secure your website. It helps to format a stronger email authentication policy for your website’s domain.

How TXT Records Can Help Verify Domain Ownership

You can easily prove domain ownership by adding a TXT record with unique content provided by the site you want to use. Cloudflare can check the TXT record and verify whether it is correct. This is the basis of Cloudflare’s secure authentication process.

How to Edit a TXT Record on Cloudflare

You may need to change your TXT record if it fails to authenticate or you start having website problems. Cloudflare provides you with a solution to this. Follow these steps to edit your TXT record on Cloudflare:

1. Log in to your Cloudflare dashboard, select the domain whose TXT record you want to edit, and click on DNS.
   
2. Select Records.
   
3. Click the Edit option next to the TXT record you want to change.
   
4. Enter your new TXT record content.
   
5. Click on Save.

Managing your Cloudflare DNS TXT records is relatively easy. You can always check your TXT records under the DNS Records Page. Cloudflare usually runs this scan automatically and updates the records. But you should review your records. This gives you control over which DNS TXT records are imported into your Cloudflare account.

You can add users to your Cloudflare account to let them manage the TXT record of the domains you own. 

How to Delete TXT Record on Cloudflare

You can always delete a TXT record on Cloudflare once your domain has been verified. Here’s how you can go about it:

1. Sign in to your Cloudflare account and go to DNS tab.
   
2. Click on Records.
   
3. Locate the TXT record you want to delete and click on the Edit link.
   
4. Click Delete.
   
5. Click on Delete again to confirm the process.
   

Fortify Your Website Using Cloudflare

Using Cloudflare DNS is a great way to improve cybersecurity for your website. It’s one of the most premium content delivery networks that ensures your domain isn’t misused.

Adding a TXT record to your Cloudflare account is simple and offers an additional measure that helps prove website ownership. Therefore, you must learn to add a TXT record on Cloudflare to secure your domain from scams. Note that the whole process is similar even if you have added a subdomain on Cloudflare.

FAQs

How do you benefit from adding SPF TXT record to Cloudflare?

Adding an SPF text record works to ensure that the emails you receive from your domain are not identified as spam emails.

Is it okay to add multiple TXT records to your single root domain?

No. Cloudflare usually considers this bad practice because it increases the chances of authentication failure. If you choose to do this, it is advisable that you whitelist all the TXT record sources used for your website.

Can you create a TXT record in CNAME?

No. It isn’t possible to create or add a TXT record to a CNAME.

What type of data can you use for your TXT record?

The Request for Comments memorandum sets text strings as the dedicated data to go into the value field when adding a TXT record.