What is a TXT record?

A TXT record is a DNS record that holds plain text, used to publish small pieces of policy and proof that other systems read - most importantly your email authentication. 93% of Australian small business domains already publish an SPF record, which is a TXT record^*:

• SPF - a TXT record listing which servers are allowed to send email as your domain, a first line of defence against spoofing.
• DKIM and DMARC - the other two email-authentication pieces, also published as TXT (or, for DKIM, often a CNAME) records.
• Domain verification - services such as Google or Microsoft have you add a TXT record to prove you control the domain before they will set you up.

Most of your domain’s security and email policy lives in TXT records - they are short, but they carry real weight.