Connect any service to any domain — instantly, without DNS expertise
Domain Connect is an open protocol that lets users activate services like email, hosting, and security on their domain in seconds — no DNS knowledge required. One standard, adopted by 1,200+ service providers and 300+ DNS providers worldwide.
Being standardised as a Proposed Standard in the IETF DCONN Working Group • View DCONN WG Documents
Why Domain Connect exists
Activating a service on a domain means changing DNS records, and most users don't know what those are.
The problem
A service provider first has to work out who runs the domain's DNS, often by querying nameservers. Then it hands the user instructions full of record types, TTLs and hostnames, and those instructions are often out of date and difficult to execute right.
The protocol
Domain Connect involves two parties: DNS Providers, who run DNS for a domain, and Service Providers, who offer the services attached to it. The Service Provider describes the records it needs once, as a template. The DNS Provider shows the user exactly what will change and applies it on approval.
Why a standard
Without a standard, every service provider and DNS provider pair needs its own custom integration. With one, each side implements the protocol once and works with all the others.
What you implement
- →Discovery endpoint — lets service providers find your Domain Connect support
- →OAuth sign-in flow — authenticate the domain owner securely
- →Apply template endpoint — apply DNS changes from a service provider template
- →Open source libraries available to accelerate your implementation
Make your platform the easiest place to connect services
Domain Connect turns your DNS platform into a seamless integration hub. When your customers want to activate a service, it just works — no support calls, no confusion, no churn.
- ✓Instantly compatible with 1,200+ service providers upon implementation
- ✓Reduce DNS-related support burden significantly
- ✓Improve customer retention by making service activation effortless
- ✓Backed by an IETF standard — stable, vendor-neutral, open
Eliminate DNS setup friction for your customers
When a user signs up for your service, the last thing they want is a DNS tutorial. Domain Connect lets your platform apply the exact DNS records needed — automatically, with a single user approval — across every major DNS provider.
- ✓Define your DNS requirements once as a reusable template
- ✓Works with all Domain Connect-enabled DNS providers out of the box
- ✓Dramatically reduce support tickets caused by DNS misconfiguration
- ✓Synchronous and asynchronous flows supported
How it works for your users
- 1
User enters their domain
Your service detects the DNS provider automatically
- 2
One-click approval
User is shown exactly what will change and approves
- 3
DNS configured instantly
Records applied automatically — no manual steps for the user
Who Owns Domain Connect?
Domain Connect is an open standard dedicated to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. It was designed and is being maintained by a community of developers across multiple companies.
The standard is being developed as a Proposed Standard within the DCONN working group. Once that process is complete, change control passes to the IETF, ensuring transparency, community input, and long-term stability.
Ready to implement Domain Connect?
Join the community of DNS and Service Providers simplifying DNS configuration for users worldwide.