How to add a DMARC record in GoDaddy

If your domain's DNS is managed at GoDaddy, adding DMARC takes one record and a few minutes. This guide gives you the exact click path and values, plus the handful of mistakes that cause most "no DMARC record found" errors.

Before you start: is your DNS managed at GoDaddy?

Buying a domain at GoDaddy doesn't always mean GoDaddy runs its DNS. If your domain's nameservers point somewhere else, such as Cloudflare or your website host, records you add in GoDaddy won't do anything. Add the record wherever the nameservers point instead, using our DMARC fix guide.

One more prerequisite: GoDaddy asks you to set up SPF and DKIM (where available) before DMARC. Check SPF with our free SPF checker.

Does my GoDaddy domain already have a DMARC record?

It might. GoDaddy says that since April 2025, new domains purchased or transferred into GoDaddy get a default DMARC record with p=quarantine as the starting policy. GoDaddy's help center shows that default sending reports to a GoDaddy address, so you won't see them unless you change it.

Check your domain with the free DMARC checker before you add anything. If a record exists, you'll edit it in Step 3 rather than add a new one.

What values do I enter in GoDaddy?

Use these values for a new record:

• Type: TXT. DMARC records are always TXT records.
• Name: _dmarc, with the underscore and nothing after it.
• Value: v=DMARC1 marks it as DMARC, p=none turns on monitoring, and rua=mailto: sets where reports go.
• TTL: leave the default. GoDaddy's default is 1 hour.

Starting at p=none lets you see who sends email as your domain before you block anything. Google recommends a dedicated mailbox or group for reports, since they can arrive daily.

How do I add a DMARC record in GoDaddy?

Step 1: Check for an existing DMARC record

Run the DMARC checker. Note whether a record exists and what its p= value is.

Step 2: Open your domain's DNS in GoDaddy

1. Sign in to your GoDaddy Domain Portfolio.
2. Select your domain to open its Domain Settings page.
3. Select DNS to see your DNS records.

Step 3: Add a TXT record named _dmarc

If you don't have a DMARC record yet:

1. Select Add New Record, then choose TXT from the Type menu.
2. In Name, enter _dmarc.
3. In Value, paste v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourbusiness.com with your own email address.
4. Leave TTL at the default.

If you already have one, find the TXT record named _dmarc and select Edit next to it. Update the Value. If you want to keep GoDaddy's policy, you can change just the rua= address to one you check.

Step 4: Save and confirm your identity

Select Save. If your domain has GoDaddy's Domain Protection, you'll be asked to verify your identity with a 2-step verification code or a one-time password GoDaddy emails you.

Step 5: Verify the record is live

Wait a few minutes, then re-run the checker below. You should see exactly one record.

Check SPF, DKIM and your website too

DMARC works best alongside SPF and DKIM. A free scan checks all three, plus your certificate and security headers, in one plain-English report.

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What are the most common GoDaddy DMARC mistakes?

• Typing the full domain in the Name field puts the record in the wrong place. GoDaddy wants the prefix only, so entering _dmarc.yourbusiness.com makes the record live at _dmarc.yourbusiness.com.yourbusiness.com, where nobody looks.
• Entering @ as the Name puts the record on your main domain instead of _dmarc, so providers won't treat it as DMARC.
• A second DMARC record gets added. If GoDaddy already created one, adding another means providers ignore both, so edit the existing record instead.
• The value has quotation marks around it. Paste it exactly as shown, with no quotes. GoDaddy's own examples don't use them, and the value must begin with v=DMARC1 to be recognized.
• The reporting address is missing mailto:. It must be written as rua=mailto:you@yourbusiness.com.
• The reporting inbox doesn't exist. Create the mailbox or alias first, or reports will bounce.
• The record was added at the wrong company. If your nameservers aren't GoDaddy's, changes in GoDaddy DNS have no effect.

How long does a DMARC record take to work in GoDaddy?

GoDaddy says most DNS changes take effect within an hour but can take up to 48 hours to update globally. Your first reports usually arrive within a day or two, as providers send aggregate reports at least once every 24 hours.

How do I change my DMARC policy later in GoDaddy?

When your reports show your real email passing, you'll want to tighten the policy. You edit the same record rather than adding a new one:

1. Sign in to your GoDaddy Domain Portfolio and select your domain.
2. Select DNS to view your records.
3. Select Edit next to the TXT record named _dmarc.
4. Change p=none to p=quarantine in the Value, keeping the rest the same.
5. Select Save.

Give quarantine a few weeks before you consider p=reject. Keep checking with your team that expected emails, like invoices and contact form messages, still arrive.

How do I check that my DMARC record is working?

Enter your domain below. You should see one DMARC record with the policy you set and your reporting address.

You can also send a test email to a Gmail address, open it, choose Show original, and look for dmarc=pass. If the checker still can't find your record after an hour, re-open GoDaddy DNS and check the Name field first.

What should you do next?

• Review your DMARC reports for two to four weeks to confirm your real email passes.
• Then change p=none to p=quarantine. Our DMARC fix guide explains how to step up safely.
• Read how to stop email spoofing for the other habits that protect your business.
• Run a free CyberVigil scan to check your SPF, DKIM and website settings.