--- title: "How to use a custom domain for your publication" updated: 2026-03-31 --- # How to use a custom domain for your publication Every beehiiv account comes with a [built-in beehiiv subdomain](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/12999491162391-understanding-domains-in-beehiiv#h_01HBV5BWSHQFANGDC7AE68PM0D-your-built-in-beehiiv-subdomain), giving your newsletter an instant home on the web. While a custom domain isn’t required, adding your own URL (like www.yousite.com) can offer a more personalized and professional presence. This guide walks you through how to add and configure a custom domain to be used for your beehiiv publication. With a custom domain, you can: - Use it as your **web domain** or **redirect domain** to host your publication. - Set it as your **email sending domain** and **branded link** for newsletters. ### Custom domain setup options beehiiv offers two ways to set up your custom domain: - **Entri Setup:** A guided setup process compatible with many domain providers. - **Manual Setup:** For advanced users familiar with managing DNS records directly.   > **Important Note** > > Domain verification can take up to 72 hours to complete. During this time, do not remove or re-add your domain records, as doing so may trigger a block or rate limit with beehiiv’s SSL providers and delay or stop the verification process. If your domain is still verifying after 72 hours, ask our [Chatbot Assistant](https://beehiiv.ada.support/chat/) to connect you with Support for further assistance. --- ### Overview of the custom domain setup process The main steps to set up a domain are: 1. **Add your custom domain to beehiiv:** Enter your preferred domain or subdomain for your website, redirect URL, and email sending domains.  2. **Add your DNS records using Entri or Manual:** Connect your domain by adding the required 12 DNS records (automatically generated for you). 3. **(Optional) Set up branded links:** If you are adding branded links, complete a quick two-step update to one of your DNS records following the instructions below.  4. **Go live with your domain:** Once setup is complete, each domain status will update to **Live** in your dashboard. This guide covers the entire custom domain setup process, from adding your domain information and connecting your DNS records (via Entri or Manual setup), to optionally setting up branded links and confirming your domain is live. > **Disclaimer** > > beehiiv is actively improving the custom domain setup experience. Some steps or screens may appear slightly different in your account as updates roll out. --- ## Getting started with your custom domain setup Click on the steps in the interactive image to explore them, or follow the written instructions below. [Embedded video](https://try.beehiiv.com/embed/cmf5lc37h04olya0i7hd9eaxh?embed_v=2&utm_source=embed) 1. Click on **Settings** in the bottom left corner of your dashboard.   2. Your publication settings will open. If you have access to multiple publications, select the desired publication in the top left corner. Scroll down the left panel and click **Domains**.   3. On the right side, under **Connect to an Existing Website Domain**, click on the **Set Up Custom Domain** dropdown. Then choose which custom domains (web, email, or both) you want to set up. We’ll direct you to the correct step in the process.  **Set up web and email custom domain**: Continue on to Step 4. **Set up web custom domain: Continue on to Step 4**. In our written instructions, skip step 7.  **Set up email custom domain**: Skip to step 7.  ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39416211753239) ### Configure your web domain 4. In the **Configure web domain** section, you'll see your built-in beehiiv subdomain in the **Use** field. To switch to a custom domain, go to **Enable a new domain or subdomain** and enter your custom domain in the field provided.  ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615500439) > **Pro Tip** > > **We recommend using a subdomain as your web domain.** If your custom domain isn’t used for another website, you can use the www version (e.g. www.domain.com). Otherwise, if your main domain is already in use (like for your company website), use a subdomain such as newsletter.domain.com. ### Set up your redirect domain (optional) 5. In the **Redirect web domain** section, you can set an alternate URL, such as your root domain or another subdomain, to redirect users to your beehiiv site.  By default, the **No redirect** option is preselected. If you don’t need a redirect, simply click **Next** to continue. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615502743) 6. (Optional) If you do want to add a redirect domain, click on one of the alternate options below.  - **Recommended:** If you used a subdomain (like newsletter.domain.com) as your web domain, select **Redirect your root domain to your website**, then click **Next**. - To use a different custom domain or subdomain, select **Enable a new domain or subdomain**, enter it, and click **Next** to proceed. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615503511) > **Pro Tip** > > If you’re using a subdomain like newsletter.domain.com for your web domain, don’t set your root or www domain (if it points elsewhere) as your redirect. Instead, use another subdomain like news, blog, or any alternate subdomain that sends users back to your beehiiv site. ### Configure your email domain 7. In the **Configure email domain** section, you can customize the sending email address that appears in your subscribers' inboxes.  Choose from:  - **Enable a new domain or subdomain** - **Enable the same domain** - **Use free beehiiv subdomain**  When selecting **Enable a new domain or subdomain**, you’ll need to enter your preferred email domain in the field provided. This field also allows you to enter an alternate custom domain or subdomain. > **Tech Note** > > If you have purchased [Namecheap Private Email](https://www.namecheap.com/support/knowledgebase/article.aspx/1172/2179/what-is-namecheap-private-email/), avoid using **mail** as a subdomain (e.g., mail.yourdomain.com), as this is a known limitation. Using a regular Namecheap domain works fine. If you use your domain for regular email, we recommend you select **Enable a new domain or subdomain** and use a subdomain to ensure healthy deliverability. Additionally, if you want to use the same sending domain you used on a different platform, enter that address here, but only if your sender reputation is strong and it’s no longer in use elsewhere. After making your selection, click **Next** to continue. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608607704343) ### Review and finalize 8. In the **Review and set up** section, you’ll see a **Summary** of your selections. Double-check that everything looks correct, then click **Finish Set Up** to generate your DNS records.    > **Important Notice** > > If you see the message ‘Connecting this domain will overwrite your existing website on another provider,’ it means beehiiv has detected that DNS records have already been set up for at least one of the custom domains you added. Please either update the custom domains you added to beehiiv, or remove the existing DNS records with your domain provider before proceeding. If you need to make any corrections, click the **Back** button to adjust your entries before continuing. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615507223) > **Namecheap Reminder** > > If you have purchased a Namecheap Private Email, avoid using mail as a subdomain (e.g., mail.yourdomain.com), as this is a known limitation. If beehiiv detects a potential conflict, you will be reminded during the review set up. To correct this, click on **Edit Email Configuration** in the warning.  > > ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39416258278295) --- ## Choose a domain setup method You can set up a custom domain using one of two methods: the automated **Entri Setup** which supports many domain providers or a **Manual Setup** option. ### Supported domain providers for Entri Setup The domain providers are listed alphabetically in the columns below. For the most up-to-date information about supported domain providers, please see [Entri’s supported providers list](https://developers.entri.com/provider-list). 123-Reg Alibaba Cloud Amazon Route53 Aruba IT Arsys Bluehost Cloudflare Crazy Domains Domain.com DigitalOcean Dnsimple DreamHostp Dynadot Enom Gandhi Fasthosts Gandhi GreenGeeks Hetzner Hosting.com Hover Hostgator Hostinger Hostpoint IONOS Inmotion Hosting Linode LocaWeb Name.com NameBright Namecheap NameSilo Network Solutions One.com OpenSrs Porkbun Register.com Register.it Registro Shopify Siteground Spaceship Squarespace Web.com Wix Wordpress.com Xneelo > **Tech Note** > > If your domain provider isn’t listed as a supported Entri provider, please proceed with the Manual Setup option. > > Additionally, if Entri’s connection to your provider is temporarily unavailable, you’ll be automatically switched to the Manual Setup option. Should the connection become available again during the Manual setup process, you’ll be prompted with the option to continue with Manual or return to the guided Entri process. --- ## How to use Entri to set up a custom domain Click on the steps in the interactive image to explore them, or follow the written instructions below. [Embedded video](https://try.beehiiv.com/embed/cmf5kzttr3ezs39ozc049ayh7?embed_v=2&utm_source=embed) 1. From the popup, select the **Set up with Entri** option and click **Proceed with Verification** to view and copy your personalized DNS records. **![2](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615509271)** > **Reminder** > > beehiiv has partnered with Entri to assist in setting up your DNS records. By selecting this option, you authorize Entri to configure your DNS records with your domain provider and agree to Entri's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 2. A confirmation popup will appear. By choosing this option, you authorize Entri to configure DNS records with your domain provider on your behalf. Click **Continue** to proceed.  **![3](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615511191)** 3. Entri will analyze your domain and automatically identify your DNS provider. **![4](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615511703)** > **Note** > > The examples pictured in this article’s screenshots are using a Cloudflare domain. 4. You may be prompted to log in to your domain provider or enter a verification code sent to your email. Once verified, click **Authorize with \[your provider name\]** (e.g., _Authorize with Cloudflare_) to allow Entri to create your DNS records. Some providers may not require verification codes. You can continue without this step if not prompted. **![5](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615512471)** 5. Entri will automatically retrieve your domain information and configure all required DNS records. Once setup is complete, you’ll see a confirmation message that your **\[custom domain\] is now configured**. Click **Done** to return to the Domains page. **![6](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608607708567)** 6. Back on the Domains page, you may see a badge labeled **Entri Verification in Progress** while the system completes setup. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608607709719) Once verification finishes, the badge will update to **Live** for your web domain. You can refresh the page to check progress. ### Branded links setup (optional) 7. While optional, we recommend setting up branded links during your initial domain configuration to help improve deliverability. Once Entri verification completes, the branded links badge will show **Action Required**, and a banner will appear at the top of the page prompting you to complete setup. Click the **Action Required** badge (or the link in the banner, if visible) to continue.   8. Branded Links setup is in two parts, the first of which you’ve already completed. In the popup, click on the **Verify with Entri** button to begin branded link setup. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608607710999) 9. A confirmation popup will appear. Click **Continue**.  **![12](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615516439)** > **Note** > > The examples pictured in this article’s screenshots are using a Cloudflare domain. 10. You may be prompted to log in to your domain provider or provide additional information to verify your domain provider account. Some providers may not require verification codes. **![13](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615517719)** 11. Entri will update your DNS record for branded links. When the update is complete, click **Done** to return to the Domains page. **![14](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615518103)** After returning to the Domains page, you may still see the setup banner briefly while verification finalizes. The banner will disappear once your branded link configuration is complete. ### Configure DMARC (required) 12. All beehiiv users on a custom domain are required to set up DMARC authentication. [Follow this guide for full DMARC instructions](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/13650078276375-how-to-set-up-dmarc-authentication).  ### Next Steps  After your custom domain setup is complete, you can: - [**Remove your domain**](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/28253481111703-how-to-remove-a-custom-domain) at any time from the domain settings page. - [**View and copy your DNS records**](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/35628786038679) for safekeeping or reference. - [**Update your email username**](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/35625000354583) for your publication. - [**Review our Custom Domain FAQs**](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/35633518133783) for additional troubleshooting tips. --- ## How to manually set up a custom domain > **Reminder** > > beehiiv will never ask you to change your nameservers. Click on the steps in the interactive image to explore them, or follow the written instructions below. [Embedded video](https://try.beehiiv.com/embed/cmf5om6m73iky39ozrye7uv39?embed_v=2&utm_source=embed) 1. From the popup, select the **Set up Manually** option and click **Proceed with Verification** to view and copy your personalized DNS records. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608607715351) > **Pro Tip** > > Log in to your domain provider in a separate browser tab, this will make it easier to copy and paste records directly from beehiiv. ### Step 1 of 3: Verify Ownership  2. A new popup will display the DNS records needed to verify your domain ownership. Copy the **TXT record** shown and add it to your domain provider’s DNS settings. Highlight and copy each field — **Type**, **Name**, and **Value** — then paste them into your provider’s account. When you’ve added the record, click **Verify** to continue. **![4](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608607716119)** ### Step 2 of 3: Connect your web, redirect, and email domains 3. Click through the **Web**, **Redirect**, and **Email** tabs to view and copy the required DNS records. For each record, copy the **Type**, **Name**, and **Value** fields and paste them into your provider’s DNS settings. After entering all records for a tab, click **Verify** to move to the next. Once all records are added correctly, the **Action required** badge will update to **Completed**, and you’ll move to the next step. **![7](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608607717527)** > **Reminder** > > If Entri becomes available during your manual setup, you’ll see a **Verify with Entri button**. You can switch to automatic setup at any time. ### Step 3 of 3: Branded link setup (optional) While optional, we recommend setting up branded links during your initial domain configuration to help improve deliverability. Setting up branded links is a two-part process. 4. **Branded link setup part 1**: Copy both branded link records shown (each with **Type**, **Name**, and **Value**) and add them to your DNS provider. After adding them, click **Verify**. If the setup is correct, you’ll proceed to part 2. **![15](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615522967)** 5. If you return to the Domains page before proceeding to step 2, you may see a **Configuring Email** badge; this simply means beehiiv is still processing your branded link setup. Once ready, the badge will update to **Action Required**, and a banner at the top of the page will prompt you to continue. Click the **Action Required** badge (or the banner link, if visible).     6. **Branded link setup part 2**: Copy the **Value** listed for the final CNAME record and paste it into your provider’s DNS settings. Click **Verify** to complete this step. > **Important Note** > > Only update the Value of the CNAME record here. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/35608615524503) 7. You’ll return to the Domains page. You may see a **Configuring DNS** badge while the update finalizes. Once complete, the **Branded Links** badge will show **Live**. ### Configure DMARC (required) 8. All beehiiv users on a custom domain are **required** to set up DMARC authentication. [Follow this guide for full DMARC instructions](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/13650078276375-how-to-set-up-dmarc-authentication).  ### Next Steps  After your custom domain setup is complete, you can: - [**Remove your domain**](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/28253481111703-how-to-remove-a-custom-domain) at any time from the domain settings page. - [**View and copy your DNS records**](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/35628786038679) for safekeeping or reference. - [**Update your email username**](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/35625000354583) for your publication. - [**Review our Custom Domain FAQs**](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/35633518133783) for additional troubleshooting tips below. ---