Let’s dive deep into the TXT record. It is one of the DNS records with the most diverse purposes. You can use it in many cases as part of multiple verification mechanisms.
What is the TXT record?
The TXT record is one of the DNS record types. Its name comes from the word text. The TXT record can contain a text message that can be orientated to people (other DNS administrators) or machines (external sources that want to verify the domain). The message, usually some code, needs to be added to the Forward DNS zone of a domain name, so other people or machines can see that the DNS administrator really has access to the zone.
The most popular use of a TXT record is to prevent SPAM messages. Multiple TXT records can be used together to verify the domain (the origin of the emails) and to encrypt the individual messages. Without those text records, many emails can get directly into the SPAM folder of the receivers and never be opened.
It is important to note that you can have multiple TXT records serving different purposes in the same Forward DNS zone.
What is the TXT record used for?
A TXT record is used to show that you are the real owner of a domain name. Many companies ask you to add a TXT record with a specific code that they provide, so they can check that you really have access to the domain name. If you are into SEO, you have experienced it already. You can verify that you are the owner of a site by adding TXT records to your DNS zone for Google Seach Console, Bing Webmaster, and Yandex Webmaster.
Verify multiple cloud services with a TXT record. Just like in our previous example, you can prove domain ownership and verify various cloud services like Google Cloud, Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, and more.
A TXT record is used for SPF (Sender Policy Framework) verification. The SPF is one of the most popular email verification mechanisms. Together with DKIM and DMARC, it provides a complete system for email verification. The SPF shows who has the right to send emails from the domain name.
The TXT is also used for DKIM (Domain Keys Identified Mail). The DKIM is another email security procedure that is used to prevent email spoofing. It offers encryption to prevent bad actors from intercepting and changing emails.
And the last of the 3 is DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance). It uses the results of the previous two, SPF and DKIM, to establish behavior. That way, based on the results, it will discard, quarantine, or allow emails (not to go in the junk folder).
Conclusion
Now you know what the TXT is used for. It is used for verification purposes, so people and machines outside your domain can check various information that can build trust and show that you are the domain name’s owner. Therefore, it is a very useful DNS record that you must know.