This feature is available with some paid plans
The Domain Name System (DNS) allows a web browser to translate a domain to a website. There are a few important DNS settings that need to be configured for a domain name that you own. These include:
- A Record: The IP address of the domain.
- CNAME Record: Only required if you're using a subdomain as your custom domain.
Need a custom domain? Visit How do I buy a custom domain? for instructions.
Set your DNS Settings to Bitly's IP
Your steps will vary depending on whether you are setting up a domain or subdomain. Which are you using as your custom domain?
For a domain
For a domain, there are two A Records that need to point to Bitly. The way you update these records varies depending on your domain registrar. For detailed instructions, find your provider on our list and follow the link to their configuration instructions.
In general, the process goes something like this:
- Log in to your domain registrar's website.
- Select the domain you want to modify.
- Find the section for managing DNS entries. The name of this section varies by provider, but is usually something like DNS Configuration, DNS Records, or Advanced DNS.
- Edit the existing A Records for your site. Set the IP addresses to 67.199.248.12 and 67.199.248.13, and make sure the Hostname is the character “@” or your base domain (both mean the same thing).
If there is only one A Record or none at all, add more.
RECORD TYPE | HOSTNAME | POINTS TO |
A | @ | 67.199.248.12 |
A | @ | 67.199.248.13 |
Two things to watch out for:
- If you have additional A Records pointing to other IP addresses, remove all others and leave only the ones pointing to Bitly's IP addresses.
- Beware of the word "parked." If you see that in one of your existing A Records, edit it so that your A Records point to the IP addresses in the table above.
Once you've configured your DNS settings and you've ensured that the correct A Records have been created, you're ready to link your custom domain to your Bitly account.
For a subdomain
The CNAME Record for your subdomain needs to point to Bitly. The way you update this varies depending on your domain registrar. For detailed instructions, find your provider on our list and follow the link to their configuration instructions.
In general, the process goes something like this:
- Log in to your domain registrar's website.
- Select the domain you want to modify.
- Find the section for managing DNS entries. The name of this section varies by provider, but is usually something like DNS Configuration, DNS Records, or Advanced DNS.
- Edit the existing CNAME Record for that subdomain to point to cname.bitly.com. When entering your subdomain, enter only the portion before the first dot. For example, you would just type "on" for on.wsj.com.
RECORD TYPE | HOSTNAME | POINTS TO |
CNAME | your chosen subdomain | cname.bitly.com |
Note: In your DNS, you can also add a "www" entry for your domain name, to point to "cname.bitly.com". For example, if your Custom Domain was "fred.me" you'd point your CNAME Record for "www.fred.me" to "cname.bitly.com," like this:
RECORD TYPE | HOSTNAME | POINTS TO |
CNAME | www | cname.bitly.com |
Once you've configured your DNS settings and you've ensured that the correct A Records have been created, you're ready to link your custom domain to your Bitly account.