Add DMARC Record — Google Domains / Squarespace

This guide walks you through adding the email security settings your domain needs — DMARC, SPF, and DKIM — for domains originally registered with Google Domains. These are entries in your domain’s public directory (DNS records) that help email providers verify messages really come from you. In 2023, Google sold Google Domains to Squarespace, so your settings are now managed through the Squarespace Domains interface.

📢 Google Domains → Squarespace Migration

If you registered your domain through Google Domains, it has been transferred to Squarespace Domains. Your DNS records were migrated automatically, and you can now manage them at domains.squarespace.com.

If you previously used the Google Domains interface, look for a Squarespace account associated with your Google account — the migration should have been automatic.

📋 Before You Start

Make sure you have:

  • Access to your Squarespace Domains account
  • Your domain using Squarespace/Google nameservers
  • Your DMARC record — use our DMARC Record Generator
  • Your SPF record value from your email provider

Finding DNS Settings

  1. Go to domains.squarespace.com and log in
  2. Click on your domain name
  3. In the left sidebar, click DNS → DNS Settings
  4. You’ll see your existing DNS records and can add new ones
💡 Pro Tip
If you’re using Squarespace for your website too, DNS settings may be under Settings → Domains → your domain → DNS Settings within the main Squarespace dashboard.

Step 1: Add Your DMARC Record

  1. In DNS Settings, click Add Record (or the + button)
  2. Fill in the fields:
    Type TXT
    Host _dmarc
    Data v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com
    TTL 3600 (1 hour, default)
  3. Click Add to save the record
💡 Pro Tip
Squarespace (like Google Domains before it) automatically appends your domain. Enter just _dmarc in the Host field — not the full _dmarc.yourdomain.com.

Step 2: Add or Update Your SPF Record

  1. Check existing records: Look for a TXT record with Host @ containing v=spf1
  2. If one exists: Click to edit it and add your email provider’s include. For example, to add Google Workspace: change the value to include include:_spf.google.com
  3. If not: Click Add Record with:
    Type TXT
    Host @
    Data v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
    TTL 3600
  4. Click Add to save
⚠️ Common Mistake
If you use Google Workspace email, your SPF record likely already includes _spf.google.com. Check before adding — duplicate SPF records break email delivery. See SPF Record Syntax.

Step 3: Add DKIM Records

  1. Get DKIM details from your email provider (for Google Workspace, go to Admin Console → Apps → Google Workspace → Gmail → Authenticate email)
  2. Click Add Record in DNS Settings
  3. Set Type to TXT
  4. For Host, enter the selector (e.g. google._domainkey)
  5. Paste the DKIM key value in the Data field
  6. Click Add
💡 Google Workspace + Squarespace
If you use Google Workspace, DKIM setup is in the Google Admin Console (not Squarespace). Google generates the DKIM key — you then add it in Squarespace DNS. After adding the DNS record, go back to Google Admin and click Start authentication.

Squarespace DNS Tips

💡 Propagation
DNS changes in Squarespace usually go live within 1–4 hours. In some cases it may take up to 48 hours.
💡 Built-in Email Records
If you set up Google Workspace through the Squarespace dashboard, some DNS records may be added automatically. Check existing records before adding duplicates.
💡 No Quotes
Don’t add quotation marks around TXT values — Squarespace handles quoting automatically.
💡 Squarespace Email
Squarespace offers its own email hosting (via Google Workspace). If you use this, SPF and DKIM may already be configured for your domain.

Verify Your Records

  1. Wait 1–4 hours for changes to go live
  2. Use the Domain Checker to verify all records are live
  3. Send a test email and check headers for verification results
  4. If records don’t appear, verify your nameservers haven’t been changed to a third-party provider

What’s Next?