Overview
This article explains the different MX and SPF records you can use with Google Workspace, depending on where you purchased the plan.
Which MX records should I use?
You can sign up for Google Workspace in two locations:
- In the DreamHost panel
- Directly with Google
Depending on where you signed up, the recommended MX records will be different as shown in the following table.
| Where is DNS hosted? | Initial Google Workspace sign-up? | How is the DNS configured? | What MX records are used? | Detailed configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DreamHost | DreamHost panel | Automatically | 5 Legacy MX records | Click here |
| External DNS Host | DreamHost panel | Manually | 5 Legacy MX records | Click here |
| DreamHost | Manually | 1 MX record | Click here |
What does this mean?
Existing Google Workspace accounts
Do NOT change your records if you have configured them in the past using the 5 Legacy MX records. As stated in Google's documentation:
If Gmail is working, don't change your MX records. Doing so could cause incoming email messages to bounce.
New Google Workspace accounts
If you are a new Google Workspace customer and are configuring your MX records for the first time, you can use smtp.google.com or the five records described below, as both will function.
If you signed up in the DreamHost panel
The following two configurations apply if you signed up for Google Workspace in the DreamHost panel.
If your website's DNS is hosted at DreamHost
This configuration applies if:
- Your website's DNS is hosted at DreamHost
- You've signed up for Google Workspace in the DreamHost panel
If your nameservers are currently pointed to DreamHost, your site's DNS is hosted at DreamHost. In this case, DreamHost sets up your MX records, verifies the domain with a token in a TXT record, and then updates your site's SPF record. For example, the following DNS records are automatically adjusted:
MX records
1 ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.com 5 ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.com 5 ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.com 10 ALT3.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.com 10 ALT4.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.com
SPF record
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
CNAME
DreamHost creates a custom CNAME for the 'mail' subdomain that points to ghs.googlehosted.com.
TXT verification
DreamHost uses the method of creating a TXT record with a verification string. This verification string is added automatically when you sign up for Google Workspace in your DreamHost panel. You can view this record using the DNS tab on the Manage Websites page.
If your website's DNS is not hosted at DreamHost
This configuration applies if:
- Your website's DNS is NOT hosted at DreamHost
- You've signed up for Google Workspace in the DreamHost panel
If your nameservers are pointed to another company, DreamHost sends you an email with information on how to update your DNS records at that company. Here are a few links that may be of help for some popular hosts:
- GoDaddy — Change my IP address
- Shopify — View or edit the DNS for a domain
- Squarespace — Option 2 to add custom records manually
- Wix — Adding MX records
MX records
Your hosting company may use different labels for the name and value fields. You may also be required to add the trailing period at the end of the server name. Make sure you follow the specific instructions for your domain host when entering the following values:
If Gmail is working, don't change your MX records, as doing so can cause incoming email messages to bounce.
| Name/Host/Alias | Time to Live (TTL*) | Record Type | Priority | Value/Answer/Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blank or @ | 3600 | MX | 1 | ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM. |
| Blank or @ | 3600 | MX | 5 | ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM. |
| Blank or @ | 3600 | MX | 5 | ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM. |
| Blank or @ | 3600 | MX | 10 | ALT3.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM. |
| Blank or @ | 3600 | MX | 10 | ALT4.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM. |
SPF record
You must also update your SPF record at your site's hosting company to point to Google using the following record:
| Name/Host/Alias | Time to Live (TTL*) | Record Type | Value/Answer/Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blank or @ | 3600 | TXT | v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all |
Domain verification with an MX record
You can also verify your domain for Google Workspace with an MX record. The Google Workspace Setup Wizard provides a unique MX record, with a priority of 15, for verification. This record is only available from the Setup Wizard that appears right after you sign up for Google Workspace.
Optional CNAME records
You may also create the following CNAME records if you need them:
| CNAME | Time to Live (TTL) | Record Type | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3600 | CNAME | ghs.googlehosted.com | |
| calendar | 3600 | CNAME | ghs.googlehosted.com |
If you signed up at Google
This configuration applies if:
- Your website's DNS is hosted at DreamHost
- You signed up for Google Workspace at Google.
If your nameservers are currently pointed to DreamHost, your site's DNS is hosted at DreamHost. If you purchased a Google Workspace account at Google, you must then update your site's MX records in the DreamHost panel to point to Google.
MX records
When setting up your domain with Google Workspace, Google's panel will guide you through the configuration of your MX records. Within the Google Workspace panel, the following MX record displays:
| Name/Host/Alias | Time to Live (TTL*) | Record Type | Priority | Value/Answer/Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blank or @ | 3600 | MX | 1 | smtp.google.com. |
You must enter this record into your DreamHost panel as shown below. Make sure to enter the priority before the MX record name.
Updating your MX records
- Navigate to the Custom MX page.
- To the right of your domain, click the Edit button.
- Enter Google's MX records at the bottom of this page:
Once saved, it will take about 6 hours to update online. Your email will then be hosted with Google.
SPF record
You must also update your SPF record to point to Google using the following record:
| Name/Host/Alias | Time to Live (TTL*) | Record Type | Value/Answer/Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blank or @ | 3600 | TXT | v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all |
For instructions on how to create an SPF record in your panel, see this article.
See also
DreamHost links
- Viewing your DreamHost DNS records
- Configuring custom MX records
- Checking where your Nameservers are pointed
Third-party links
- Authorize email senders with SPF - Google Workspace Admin Help