How do I configure my DNS settings for my custom domain?

The Domain Name System (DNS) allows a web browser to translate a domain to a website. There are a few important DNS settings that can be configured for a domain name that you own. These include:

• A Record: The IP address of the domain.
• CNAME Record: Used for any subdomains.

If you've purchased a custom domain and would like to add it to your Bitly account, you first need to point your A Records to Bitly's IP addresses. For a subdomain, you'll set that subdomain's CNAME to point to Bitly instead.

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.

For a domain

The way you update DNS 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:

1. Log in to your domain registrar's website.
2. Select the domain you want to modify.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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.

For a subdomain

The way you update DNS 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:

1. Log in to your domain registrar's website.
2. Select the domain you want to modify.
3. 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. 
4. 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.

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:

Add your custom domain to your Bitly account

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.