Summary
Google Postmaster Tool may unverify domains for several reasons, including incorrect or changed DNS records (particularly TXT records), DNS propagation issues, conflicts with other TXT records, expired or invalid SSL certificates, domain reputation issues, and potential glitches within Google's system. Hosting provider settings that automatically modify or remove DNS records can also contribute. Experts recommend checking TXT records, ensuring correct DNS configurations (including DKIM, SPF, and DMARC), validating SSL certificates, monitoring domain reputation, and addressing any potential conflicts or glitches. In some cases, waiting and re-verifying later may resolve the issue.
Key findings
- TXT Record Issues: Incorrect formatting, removal, or modification of TXT records are common causes. This includes extra spaces, incorrect quotes, or accidental deletion.
- DNS Propagation Problems: DNS changes might not propagate fully across all servers, preventing Google from verifying the TXT record.
- SSL Certificate Issues: Expired or invalid SSL certificates can sometimes cause verification problems.
- Google Glitches: Occasional glitches within Google Postmaster Tools can lead to random unverifications.
- Hosting Provider Interference: Some hosting providers automatically modify or remove DNS records, causing verification to fail.
- Domain Reputation & Authentication: Poor domain reputation and authentication issues can contribute to the problem.
- TXT Record Conflicts: Conflicts with other TXT records can interfere with Google's ability to verify the domain.
Key considerations
- Check TXT Records: Verify the TXT record is correctly configured, matches the value provided by Google, and hasn't been removed or modified.
- Validate DNS Configuration: Ensure DNS records are properly configured, aligning with Google's requirements, and include DKIM, SPF, and DMARC settings.
- Monitor DNS Propagation: Use tools to check DNS records across different locations to ensure consistency after making changes.
- Update SSL Certificates: Ensure SSL certificates are valid and up-to-date.
- Review Hosting Settings: Check hosting provider settings for any automatic DNS management features that may be interfering with TXT records.
- Re-verify Later: If TXT records are correct, try reverifying later, as it could be a temporary Google glitch.
- Address Reputation Issues: Review sending practices, ensure proper authentication, and monitor IP and domain reputation.
- Resolve TXT conflicts: Review all TXT records to remove unnecessary ones or combine records where possible, adhering to specific syntax requirements.
What email marketers say
12 marketer opinions
Google Postmaster Tools may unverify domains due to various reasons, including TXT record issues (incorrect formatting, removal, or modification), DNS propagation problems, SSL certificate issues, potential glitches within Google's system, and domain reputation issues. Hosting provider settings and conflicts with other DNS records can also contribute to unverification. To resolve this, marketers and experts recommend checking TXT records, ensuring correct DNS configurations, validating SSL certificates, monitoring domain reputation, and addressing any potential conflicts or glitches.
Key opinions
- TXT Record Issues: Incorrect formatting, removal, or modification of TXT records are common causes of unverification. Extra spaces, incorrect quotes, or someone manually removing the record can all lead to problems.
- DNS Propagation: DNS propagation delays or inconsistencies can prevent Google from verifying the domain, especially after changes to TXT records.
- SSL Certificates: Expired or invalid SSL certificates can sometimes cause verification problems.
- Google Glitches: Occasional glitches within Google Postmaster Tools itself may result in domains randomly becoming unverified.
- Hosting Provider Interference: Some hosting providers may automatically modify or remove DNS records, causing verification to fail.
- Domain Reputation: Issues with domain reputation, authentication and misconfigurations can impact domains and cause them to be unverified.
Key considerations
- Check TXT Records: Verify the TXT record in your DNS settings is correctly configured, matches the value provided by Google, and hasn't been accidentally removed or modified.
- Validate DNS Configuration: Ensure proper DNS configuration. This includes SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Also validate the records align correctly with Google's requirements.
- Monitor DNS Propagation: After making DNS changes, use tools to monitor DNS propagation and ensure the changes are reflected across different servers.
- Keep SSL Certificates Updated: Ensure SSL certificates are valid and up-to-date.
- Review Hosting Settings: Check hosting provider settings for any automatic DNS management features that may be interfering with TXT records.
- Re-verify Later: If the TXT record is correct, try reverifying later, as the issue may be a temporary glitch within Google Postmaster Tools.
- Consider Domain Reputation: Review your sending practices, ensure proper DKIM, SPF, and DMARC setup, and monitor IP and domain reputation to address the root cause of verification issues.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Gmass shares that domain reputation issues can cause verification problems. The suggested fix is to ensure you have all the DNS records configured.
4 Feb 2024 - Gmass
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks agrees that domains are randomly becoming unverified in the last month.
16 Sep 2023 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Experts suggest that Google Postmaster Tool domain unverification often stems from underlying issues related to domain reputation, authentication problems, and DNS configuration errors. Resolving these involves careful review of sending practices, ensuring proper DKIM, SPF, and DMARC setup, and meticulous validation of DNS records to align with Google's requirements.
Key opinions
- Domain Reputation & Authentication: Problems with domain reputation and authentication are frequently the cause of unverification issues in Google Postmaster Tools.
- DNS Configuration Issues: Incorrect or outdated DNS configurations can lead to domains being unverified.
Key considerations
- Review Sending Practices: Examine your email sending practices to ensure they are not negatively impacting your domain reputation.
- Verify Authentication Setup: Properly configure and maintain DKIM, SPF, and DMARC records for your domain.
- Validate DNS Records: Ensure your DNS records are accurately configured and aligned with Google's requirements. Periodically validate that these records have not been changed.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, explains that problems in Google Postmaster Tools are often related to domain reputation and authentication. They suggest reviewing your sending practices, ensuring proper DKIM, SPF, and DMARC setup, and monitoring IP and domain reputation to address the root cause of verification issues.
2 Mar 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource mentions issues related to DNS configurations and suggests to validate DNS records. Also to ensure the records align correctly with Google's requirements and ensure you have correct setup. Furthermore, Spam Resource indicates to always validate your configuration and check that no records have been changed.
15 Jul 2023 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Google Postmaster Tool domains may become unverified due to incorrect or changed DNS records, DNS propagation issues, or conflicts with other TXT records. Resolving these issues involves ensuring the TXT record is correctly configured, using tools to check DNS records across different locations, reviewing and resolving TXT record conflicts, and understanding DNS configurations.
Key findings
- Incorrect DNS Records: Incorrect or changed DNS records, especially the TXT record, are a primary cause of domain unverification.
- DNS Propagation Issues: DNS changes might not propagate fully across all servers, preventing Google from validating the TXT record.
- TXT Record Conflicts: Conflicts with other TXT records can interfere with Google's ability to verify the domain.
Key considerations
- Verify TXT Record Configuration: Ensure the TXT record in your DNS settings is correctly configured and matches the value provided by Google Postmaster Tools.
- Check DNS Propagation: Use tools to check DNS records across different locations to ensure consistency after making changes.
- Resolve TXT Record Conflicts: Review all TXT records to remove unnecessary ones or combine records where possible, adhering to specific syntax requirements.
- Understand DNS Configurations: Understand DNS configurations and follow steps to validate the DNS configuration. Furthermore, reach out to experts if unsure.
Technical article
Documentation from Cloudflare explains that conflicts with other TXT records can cause verification problems. If there are multiple TXT records with overlapping or conflicting purposes, Google might fail to verify the domain. The suggested fix is to review all TXT records to remove unnecessary ones or combine records where possible, following the specific syntax requirements for multiple TXT records.
20 Dec 2021 - Cloudflare
Technical article
Documentation from RFC explains DNS configurations and how to configure and validate it. The suggested fix is to follow steps in the document and reach out to experts if unsure.
3 Oct 2021 - RFC
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