Add DNS Records to Google Cloud
To send emails using your private domain name, you will first need to add your domain and create a subdomain within your Benchmark account. After the subdomain has been added, Benchmark will generate the DNS record that you'll add to your Google Cloud DNS managed zone.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for adding the Benchmark DNS record to Google Cloud DNS.
Topics Covered in This Article
Before Getting Started
- Benchmark does not have access to your Google Cloud account.
- Your DNS record is unique to the domain and subdomain you added to Benchmark.
- Once your record is created, find it under Email Settings > Domain.
- Propagation can take up to 48 hours.
- You'll need an existing Cloud DNS managed zone for your domain, and permission to edit it (the Cloud DNS Administrator role or equivalent).
How to Add Your DNS Record to Google Cloud DNS
The instructions included in this article were developed using resources from Google Cloud.
- Sign in to the Google Cloud console and go to the Cloud DNS zones page.
- Click the name of the managed zone for your domain.
- On the Zone details page, click Add standard.
- Enter the details for your new NS record, using the values provided in Benchmark:
- DNS name: paste the hostname provided in Benchmark (the trailing dot is added automatically).
- Resource record type: select NS from the dropdown.
- TTL / TTL unit: use the suggested time. If none is given, 1 hour is a reasonable default.
- NS data: paste the nameserver value provided in Benchmark. Click Add item if you need to enter more than one.
- Click Create.
After you have finished adding the record, you may return to your Benchmark account to complete the process. If you have navigated away from the records screen, you can still verify your work by checking your domain on the Domain page. From there, click the Retry Verification button next to the domain you are validating. This will initiate a web check to confirm whether the record was added successfully. Please note that DNS record propagation — once the record is valid on the web — can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours.
If the record is not added, your domain's verification will remain pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will adding this record affect my existing website or email?
No. This record only applies to the subdomain you added in Benchmark — it doesn't change or remove any existing records on your root domain.
How long does it take for my record to be verified?
Most records are verified within a few hours, but DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate. If your domain still shows as unverified after 48 hours, double-check that the record matches exactly what's listed on your Domain page in Benchmark.
What if I don't have a Cloud DNS managed zone for my domain?
You'll need to create a managed zone for your domain first, and make sure your domain's registrar is pointed to that zone's Google Cloud name servers. Benchmark doesn't have access to your Google Cloud account, so this setup has to happen on your end.
Can I add records for more than one subdomain?
Yes. Each subdomain you verify in Benchmark gets its own unique record. Add each subdomain in Benchmark first, then repeat the steps above for each one.