Defaults.Exposed › Glossary › CNAME record

CNAME record

Also known as: alias record, canonical name record

A forwarding label that points one web address at another — letting things like 'www' or a service you use share the right destination automatically.

What it is

A CNAME record is an alias. Instead of pointing a web address directly at a server, it points it at another name, which then resolves to the real destination. It’s like telling the post office “anything for this name should go wherever that other name goes.” It’s commonly used so that “www.yourcompany.com” follows “yourcompany.com,” or so an outside service (a booking tool, a shop platform, an email tool) can run under your domain.

Why it matters to your business

CNAMEs are how many of the everyday tools you rent — online stores, scheduling, marketing platforms — appear under your own web address instead of theirs. If a CNAME is set wrong, that branded link breaks. And a CNAME that still points at a service you’ve cancelled can leave a stray entry that others may be able to misuse, so it’s worth tidying up the ones you no longer need.

How to tell / what to do

When you set up a new online service that asks you to “add a CNAME,” follow their exact instructions at your domain provider. If a branded link to one of your tools stops working, a misconfigured CNAME is a likely cause. These are standard text settings and cost nothing to add or remove.