Why won't my domain verify?

If verification failed when you tried to connect a custom domain to your Bitly account, try these troubleshooting steps:

• Confirm your DNS configuration
• Make sure you're not using your website's domain

Have a complimentary domain? Allow 24-48 hours for the settings to verify. If it still won't verify after 48 hours, contact us and our support team will help.

Confirm your custom domain's DNS configuration

This is the most common reason for domain verification problems.

The Domain Name System (DNS) is what allows a web browser to translate a domain to a website. If you're using a domain purchased from an external site like GoDaddy, make sure your DNS settings are configured correctly so that your domain point to Bitly:

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.

Once you've corrected any errors in your DNS settings, return to your Bitly account, remove your custom domain, and re-attach it.

Check your IP setup

Another way to confirm your DNS settings is to go to whatsmydns.net and paste your domain name in the search bar. The service will immediately let you know what IP addresses are active in your DNS record.

If there are other IP addresses in addition to the Bitly addresses listed above, edit your DNS record and remove these IP addresses.

Use separate domains for your Bitly links and your website

Your custom domain must be different from the domain you use for your website — though it can be a subdomain. If your verification failed when you tried to attach your custom domain to Bitly, make sure that it's a new domain or a subdomain, instead of the one used for your website.

For example, these are ESPN's website domain and domain for short links:

• Website: www.espn.com
• Short links: es.pn

And these are the Wall Street Journal's website domain and subdomain for short links:

• Website: www.wsj.com
• Short links: on.wsj.com