Overview
Introduction
Custom domains allow you to brand your shortened links and email communications with your own domain name (such as go.yourcompany.com) rather than using default platform links. Connecting a custom domain increases trust, improves click-through rates, and creates a professional experience for your audience.
You can connect custom domains for two main purposes in your workspace:
- Short Links Domains: Dedicate a custom domain or subdomain exclusively for creating and tracking shortened links and affiliate programs.
- Email Domains: Connect a custom domain for branded partner communications and email campaigns (available on Advanced plans and higher).
Connecting a Custom Domain for Short Links
To connect a custom domain you own for your shortened links, follow these steps:
- Navigate to your workspace settings and select Domains.
- Click Add custom domain and choose Connect a domain you own.
- Enter your domain name (for example,
go.yourcompany.comor your apex domain likeyourcompany.com). - Configure the required DNS records provided in your dashboard at your domain provider (DNS registrar).
- For an Apex Domain (e.g.,
yourcompany.com), configure an A Record pointing to76.76.21.21. - For a Subdomain (e.g.,
go.yourcompany.com), configure a CNAME Record pointing tocname.dub.co.
- For an Apex Domain (e.g.,
- Once your DNS records are added, the system automatically checks and verifies your domain configuration.
Tip
If you use Vercel or Cloudflare as your DNS provider, you may see an option to Auto configure using Domain Connect, which securely applies the necessary DNS records automatically with a single click.
Connecting an Email Domain
If your workspace is on an Advanced plan or higher, you can connect a custom email domain to send branded communications and affiliate email campaigns.
- Navigate to your workspace settings and select Domains, then open the Email tab.
- Click Add domain and enter the email domain you wish to use.
- Configure the required DKIM and SPF records provided in your dashboard with your DNS provider to authorize email sending.
- Optionally, add a DMARC record (
_dmarcwith valuev=DMARC1; p=none;) to protect against email spoofing and build domain trust. - Once verified, you can begin sending branded email campaigns directly from your domain.
Warning
Each program can have only one active email domain. You cannot delete or update an email domain while there are active email campaigns using it; you must pause or complete those campaigns first.
Key Concepts
Review these terms to better understand how domain management works:
- Apex Domain: The root domain without any subdomains, such as
yourcompany.com. - Subdomain: A prefix added to your main domain, such as
go.yourcompany.comorlinks.yourcompany.com. Subdomains are recommended for short links so your main website remains unaffected. - DNS Records: Settings at your domain registrar that tell the internet where to direct traffic for your web pages and emails. Key types include:
- A Record: Points an apex domain to an IP address.
- CNAME Record: Maps a subdomain to another domain name.
- TXT Record: Used for ownership verification and security protocols like SPF and DMARC.
- Domain Connect: An open standard protocol supported by select providers (such as Vercel and Cloudflare) that automates DNS configuration securely.
Alternative Domain Options
If you do not want to connect your own external domain right away, alternative domain options are available depending on your plan:
- .dub.link Subdomains: Available for quick testing and onboarding, allowing you to launch instantly using a managed subdomain.
- Free .link Domains: Paid accounts may be eligible to claim a free
.linkdomain for one year directly through the dashboard. - Default Branded Domains: Workspaces can leverage pre-configured default shortcut domains for specific platforms.
| Feature / Option | Availability | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Domains | All plans (limits apply) | Brand short links with your own custom domain name |
| Email Domains | Advanced & Enterprise plans | Send branded email campaigns and partner communications |
| Free .link Domain | Paid plans | Claim a complimentary .link domain for one year |
| Default Domains | Pro plan and above | Leverage built-in branded shortcut domains |
Troubleshooting Verification Issues
If your custom domain shows a status other than Valid Configuration, review the following common states:
- Pending Verification: DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 24 hours to propagate globally across the internet. Ensure your DNS records match the exact values shown in your settings.
- Conflicting DNS Records: If your domain currently points to an existing website or has conflicting records, remove the conflicting records from your DNS provider before adding the required Dub records.
- Invalid Configuration: If a domain remains unverified or misconfigured for an extended period, the system will send reminder notifications. Domains that remain invalid for more than 30 days are automatically removed from the workspace.