Understanding DNS Records
A
A Record (Address)
Maps your domain (e.g., example.com) to the IP address of the server hosting your website. Crucial for site uptime.
MX
MX Record (Mail Exchange)
Controls email delivery. It directs emails to your provider (like Gmail or Outlook). Incorrect records mean lost emails.
NS
NS Record (Nameserver)
Delegates authority. It tells the internet which company manages your domain's DNS settings (e.g., Cloudflare, GoDaddy).
TXT
TXT Record (Text)
Used for verification (Google Search Console), security (SPF, DKIM), and proving domain ownership.
What is DNS Propagation?
When you update your DNS records, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours for the changes to update worldwide. This delay is called "DNS Propagation". ISPs cache old records to speed up browsing, and they need time to clear this cache.