Beyond the Basics: A Guide to Less Known DNS Records
You already know about the "big four": A, CNAME, MX, and TXT records. But sometimes, when troubleshooting or tightening security, you'll encounter a few others. This guide demystifies them.
Why should you care? Knowing these records helps you improve email deliverability, enhance your store's security, and solve tricky connection problems that others can't.
The DNS Records You Don't Know (But Should)
🌐 NS Record (Name Server)
"The one that says who's in charge."
The Simple Analogy: Imagine your domain is a large office building. The NS records are the sign at the entrance that says, "Building Management: Acme Corp." They tell the entire internet which company (your domain registrar, like GoDaddy or Namecheap) is in charge of managing all the other DNS records for your domain.
When you'll see it: You almost never change these yourself. But if your domain isn't working at all, checking the NS records on a WHOIS lookup confirms you're editing DNS settings at the right company.
↔️ AAAA Record (Quad A)
"The next-generation address record."
The Simple Analogy: If an A record is your building's street address, a AAAA record is its address on a brand new, modern highway called IPv6. It's just another way to find the same location.
When you'll see it: This is a major troubleshooting step for third-party domains. Shopify does not use AAAA records. If your domain has a AAAA record pointing somewhere else, it can confuse some networks and cause "SSL Failed" or connection errors. Deleting any AAAA records from your domain's DNS settings is often a key fix.
🛡️ DMARC Record (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance)
"The rulebook for your email security."
The Simple Analogy: If SPF and DKIM are your email's "ID and signature," DMARC is the bouncer's official policy. It's a TXT record that tells receiving email servers, "If a message claims to be from me but fails the ID check (SPF/DKIM), here's what you should do: let it in, quarantine it, or reject it entirely."
When you'll see it: When you're serious about email marketing. A DMARC policy is essential for preventing spoofing and telling major email providers like Gmail and Outlook that you are a legitimate sender, which dramatically improves deliverability.
🔒 CAA Record (Certification Authority Authorization)
"The approved list for your security certificates."
The Simple Analogy: This is a list you give to the security guard at your building's entrance. It says, "Only accept SSL certificate deliveries from these specific, pre-approved companies (like Let's Encrypt or DigiCert)."
When you'll see it: While not required by Shopify, adding a CAA record can enhance security by preventing unauthorized SSL certificates from being issued for your domain. If you ever have SSL issues, you'd want to check if a CAA record is accidentally blocking the certificate provider Shopify uses.
📋 SRV Record (Service)
"The record for finding a specific service."
The Simple Analogy: If an A record points to the building's address, an SRV record points to a specific department on a specific floor. It gives not just the location, but also the port, priority, and weight for a service, like an advanced email or chat protocol.
When you'll see it: This is less common for a basic Shopify setup. You might encounter it if you're configuring a complex, enterprise-level email system (like Microsoft 365) or other internet services that require more than just a simple address.
By understanding these records, you've moved beyond the basics. You can now diagnose issues with more precision and secure your domain like a professional.
