What causes a DMARC record to not propagate correctly on GoDaddy?
Michael Ko
Co-founder & CEO, Suped
Published 22 May 2025
Updated 16 Aug 2025
7 min read
Setting up a DMARC record is a crucial step for securing your email domain and ensuring deliverability. It helps prevent email spoofing and phishing by telling recipient mail servers what to do with messages that fail SPF or DKIM authentication. When you add a DMARC record to your DNS settings, you expect it to become active relatively quickly. However, sometimes issues arise, especially with domain registrars like GoDaddy, where propagation doesn't happen as expected.
The frustration is real when you've followed all the steps for adding a DMARC record, whether through their interface or direct DNS editing, only to find that it hasn't propagated hours later. This can lead to delays in protecting your domain and ensuring your emails land in the inbox.
In many cases, the issue isn't GoDaddy itself, but rather a common misconfiguration or a misunderstanding of how DNS propagation works. We'll explore the main culprits behind DMARC records not propagating on GoDaddy and provide actionable troubleshooting steps to get your domain secured.
When you make a change to a DNS record, like adding a DMARC record, that change isn't instantly reflected across the entire internet. Instead, it goes through a process called DNS propagation. This involves recursive DNS servers around the world updating their caches with your new record. The time it takes for these updates to spread globally depends on several factors, including the Time To Live (TTL) setting of your record.
GoDaddy, like other domain registrars, provides the interface for you to manage your DNS records. While their system generally updates records quickly on their nameservers, the wider internet still needs time to catch up. GoDaddy itself notes that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate. However, for a new DMARC TXT record, you often see it propagate much faster, usually within minutes to a few hours, especially with a lower TTL like 60 minutes (3600 seconds).
So, while a DMARC record not propagating correctly on GoDaddy can be frustrating, it's often a matter of patience or a slight misstep in the configuration rather than a fundamental flaw with the platform itself. Understanding this propagation period is the first step in effective DMARC troubleshooting.
Common reasons DMARC records don't propagate on GoDaddy
One of the most frequent reasons a DMARC record fails to propagate (or even to exist) is an incorrect setup in the GoDaddy DNS panel. The DMARC record must be a TXT record located at the _dmarc subdomain. A common mistake is to enter your full domain name into the Host field, leading to a record like _dmarc.yourdomain.com.yourdomain.com. GoDaddy often automatically appends your domain name, so entering _dmarc is usually sufficient.
Another frequent issue is an incorrect value in the TXT Value field. DMARC records have a specific format starting with v=DMARC1 and include various tags like p (policy) and rua (reporting URI for aggregate reports). Typos, missing semicolons, or incorrect values for pct (percentage) can all cause the record to be invalid and prevent propagation. You can use a free DMARC record generator tool to ensure proper syntax.
Common DMARC setup pitfalls on GoDaddy
Host field errors: Entering the full domain instead of just _dmarc leading to a doubled domain (e.g., _dmarc.yourdomain.com.yourdomain.com).
Incorrect record type: DMARC must be a TXT record, not CNAME or A.
Syntax errors: Missing semicolons, extra spaces, or malformed tags in the DMARC value string can invalidate the record. Review DMARC tags carefully.
Sometimes, the issue isn't with the DMARC record itself but with your domain's nameservers. If your domain is registered with GoDaddy but uses third-party nameservers (e.g., Cloudflare), you must add the DMARC record in the DNS settings of that third-party provider, not on GoDaddy. Changes made on GoDaddy's panel won't propagate if their nameservers aren't authoritative for your domain. DNSSEC can also occasionally interfere with record propagation if not handled correctly during domain transfers or DNS changes.
Troubleshooting steps for GoDaddy DMARC propagation
The first step in troubleshooting is to double-check your DMARC record configuration on GoDaddy. Log into your account and navigate to the DNS management section for your domain. Ensure the Type is TXT, the Host is _dmarc (without your domain appended), and the TXT Value is exactly as generated, with no extra characters or line breaks. A single character out of place can prevent proper validation and propagation.
Next, use online DNS lookup tools to verify the record's propagation. These tools query various DNS servers globally to see if your new record is visible. Be sure to check specifically for a TXT record at _dmarc.yourdomain.com. If it shows up in some locations but not others, it indicates that propagation is still in progress. You can also try clearing the DNS cache on public resolvers like Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS to speed up local resolution, though global propagation still takes time.
If, after a reasonable amount of time (2-4 hours for new records, up to 24-48 hours for full global propagation, especially if you also modified other DNS records), your DMARC record still isn't showing up, confirm your domain's authoritative nameservers. Use a WHOIS lookup to see which nameservers are currently hosting your DNS. If they aren't GoDaddy's, then you need to add your DMARC record with your current DNS provider.
Troubleshooting Step
Description
Expected Outcome
Verify record format
Ensure the Host is _dmarc and the Value is correct DMARC syntax like v=DMARC1; p=none;.
The DMARC record is properly recognized and stored by GoDaddy's system.
Check authoritative nameservers
Use a WHOIS lookup to confirm GoDaddy is indeed your active DNS provider.
Your DMARC record is being published by the correct DNS provider.
Query DNS globally
Use online DNS lookup tools to check the DMARC record across various regions.
The record appears consistently across multiple DNS servers worldwide.
If all checks pass and you've waited the recommended propagation time, contacting GoDaddy support might be necessary. Provide them with the exact DMARC record you've attempted to add and the results of your DNS lookups. They can investigate any backend issues or provide specific guidance related to your account configuration.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Ensure the DMARC TXT record's host is exactly _dmarc (GoDaddy often appends the domain automatically).
Verify that your domain's nameservers are indeed managed by GoDaddy, otherwise, update the DMARC record with the correct provider.
Always use a DMARC record generator for correct syntax and to avoid typos in the value string.
Start with a relaxed DMARC policy (p=none) to monitor reports before moving to stricter policies like quarantine or reject.
Common pitfalls
Adding your full domain name to the DMARC host field, resulting in a redundant entry like _dmarc.yourdomain.com.yourdomain.com.
Assuming DMARC records propagate instantly; allow for standard DNS propagation times, usually a few hours to 48 hours.
Having conflicting DNS records or using a third-party DNS proxy (like Cloudflare) without configuring the DMARC record there.
Forgetting to include the 'rua' tag for aggregate reports, which are essential for monitoring DMARC compliance.
Expert tips
Clearing public DNS caches, such as Google or Cloudflare's, can sometimes expedite local DNS resolution.
Query your domain's nameservers directly to see if the DMARC record has been updated on the authoritative server.
Be aware that DMARC-related issues, especially host field typos, are very common and lead to many support tickets for DNS providers.
GoDaddy's UI now includes warnings for common DNS record configuration mistakes, which can help prevent some errors.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says clearing public DNS caches, such as Google and Cloudflare, can often help in quickly reflecting DNS changes.
2022-03-25 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says new records should appear in just a few minutes if configured correctly.
2022-03-25 - Email Geeks
Ensuring long-term DMARC success
Successful DMARC implementation is an ongoing process, not a one-time setup. Once your DMARC record has propagated correctly, the next crucial step is to enable DMARC monitoring by including a rua tag in your record. This tag directs aggregate reports to your specified email address, providing valuable insights into your email authentication status and potential issues.
When initially deploying DMARC, it's a best practice to start with a relaxed policy, such as p=none. This allows you to gather data from DMARC reports without affecting email delivery. After analyzing these reports and confirming that your legitimate emails are passing authentication checks, you can gradually transition your DMARC policy to p=quarantine or p=reject for stronger protection against spoofing and phishing.
Best practices for DMARC deployment
Use a reporting address: Always include a rua tag to receive aggregate reports, even with p=none.
Iterate your policy: Don't jump directly to p=reject until you are confident in your authentication setup.
Conclusion
While DMARC record propagation issues on GoDaddy can be a source of confusion, they are often resolvable with careful attention to detail and a systematic approach. Most problems stem from common configuration errors, such as miskeying the host record or having an incorrect TXT value.
By understanding DNS propagation, meticulously verifying your DNS settings, and utilizing available troubleshooting tools, you can ensure your DMARC record propagates correctly, strengthening your email security and improving your overall deliverability, helping to keep your domain off a blocklist (or blacklist).
GoDaddy, where propagation doesn't happen as expected.
