Google Workspace + Network Solutions

Set up Google Workspace email on Network Solutions

The records Google Workspace needs, written with the field names Network Solutions uses (Refers to, Mail server, TXT Value, Alias to), in the order to add them.

  • 5 steps
  • 5 DNS records

Before you start

  1. Have your Google Workspace account ready. Some values are unique to your account and come from the Google Admin console .
  2. Open DNS at Network Solutions: Sign in at networksolutions.com/manage-it and select Domain Names. Tick the box next to your domain. Under Actions, select the three dots, then Manage. Scroll to Advanced Tools and, next to Advanced DNS Records, select MANAGE (select Continue if asked).
  3. Keep both tabs open and add the records below one at a time.

Records to add

Copy each value with the button next to it. Rows marked “Copy from Google Admin console” are unique to your account.

Domain verification Proves you own the domain Type TXT Refers to @ Value Copy from Google Admin console Looks like: google-site-verification= followed by your unique code Priority n/a TTL Default
MX records Where incoming email goes Type MX Refers to @ Value smtp.google.com Priority 1 TTL Default
SPF record Which servers may send as you Type TXT Refers to @ Value v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all Priority n/a TTL Default
DKIM A signature on every message Type TXT Refers to google._domainkey Value Copy from Google Admin console Priority n/a TTL Default
DMARC record What to do with fakes · recommended Type TXT Refers to _dmarc Value v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com Priority n/a TTL Default

Step by step in Network Solutions

Verify your domain

Your email provider needs proof that you control this domain before it accepts email for it.

Type
TXT
Refers to
@
TXT Value
Copy it from Google Admin console (see below)

Where to find your value

In the Google Admin console go to Menu > Account > Domains > Manage domains, click Verify domain, then Get started. In the TXT record section, copy the Value, including google-site-verification=.

It looks like: google-site-verification= followed by your unique code

  • Leave the host blank or enter @.
  • Once Google has verified the domain, this TXT record can be safely removed. Removing it earlier makes verification fail.

1 more note from Google Workspace on this record

In Network Solutions

  1. Select +ADD RECORD.
  2. Under Type, choose TXT.
  3. Set Refers to (@ for your bare domain), paste the TXT Value, and pick a TTL.
  4. Select ADD.

Point your MX records

MX records tell other mail servers where to deliver your email. How MX works

Type
MX
Refers to
@
Priority
1
Mail server
smtp.google.com
  • Remove any other MX records. Email might not work correctly if old or incorrect MX records stay in place.

3 more notes from Google Workspace on this record

In Network Solutions

  1. On Manage Advanced DNS Records, select +ADD RECORD.
  2. Under Type, choose MX.
  3. Set Refers to @, enter the Mail server and the Priority, and pick a TTL.
  4. Select ADD.
  5. Delete any other MX records: select the edit tool, then Delete.

Add the SPF record

SPF lists the services allowed to send email as you. How SPF works

Type
TXT
Refers to
@
TXT Value
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
  • If other services also send email for your domain, list each one in the same record, for example: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:amazonses.com ~all.

2 more notes from Google Workspace on this record

In Network Solutions

  1. Select +ADD RECORD.
  2. Under Type, choose TXT.
  3. Set Refers to (@ for your bare domain), paste the TXT Value, and pick a TTL.
  4. Select ADD.

Set up DKIM

DKIM signs your mail so receivers can trust it. How DKIM works

Type
TXT
Refers to
google._domainkey
TXT Value
Copy it from Google Admin console (see below)

Where to find your value

In the Google Admin console go to Menu > Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail and click Authenticate email. Select your domain, generate a new record (2048-bit if your domain host supports it, otherwise 1024-bit) and copy the TXT record value.

  • After the record is published, go back to Authenticate email and turn on authentication for the domain.

3 more notes from Google Workspace on this record

In Network Solutions

  1. Select +ADD RECORD.
  2. Under Type, choose TXT.
  3. Set Refers to (@ for your bare domain), paste the TXT Value, and pick a TTL.
  4. Select ADD.

Add the DMARC record (recommended)

DMARC tells receivers what to do with mail that fakes your domain. How DMARC works

Type
TXT
Refers to
_dmarc
TXT Value
v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com
  • Start with p=none so nothing is blocked while you read the reports. Google suggests running it for about a week.

3 more notes from Google Workspace on this record

In Network Solutions

  1. Select +ADD RECORD.
  2. Under Type, choose TXT.
  3. Set Refers to (@ for your bare domain), paste the TXT Value, and pick a TTL.
  4. Select ADD.

Check your setup

Once the records are saved, run a live check. We look up your domain in public DNS and tell you what is right, missing or wrong, with the fix in Network Solutions’s words.

We only read public DNS records. Nothing is stored.

Common mistakes with Google Workspace on Network Solutions

Leaving old MX records in place

Google says email might not work correctly if old or incorrect MX records stay. Remove every MX record except smtp.google.com.

Adding a second SPF record

A domain must have only one SPF record. If you already have one, add include:_spf.google.com to it instead of creating another.

Network Solutions: Values must not end with a dot

Network Solutions doesn't accept a final period on mail server or CNAME targets. Enter them without the trailing dot.

3 more Google Workspace mistakes to avoid

Visit Google Workspace Visit Network Solutions

Google Workspace on Network Solutions: questions

Where do I add Google Workspace DNS records in Network Solutions?

Sign in at networksolutions.com/manage-it and select Domain Names. Tick the box next to your domain. Under Actions, select the three dots, then Manage. Scroll to Advanced Tools and, next to Advanced DNS Records, select MANAGE (select Continue if asked). Add each record there, one at a time.

What goes in the Refers to field at Network Solutions?

Enter @ for records on your bare domain, such as MX and SPF. For the others, enter only the part before your domain, for example google._domainkey. Network Solutions adds your domain automatically.

Do I need to delete my existing MX records at Network Solutions?

Remove any other MX records. Email might not work correctly if old or incorrect MX records stay in place. Network Solutions doesn't accept a final period on mail server or CNAME targets. Enter them without the trailing dot.

How long until Google Workspace email works on Network Solutions?

New MX records can take up to 72 hours to be recognized.

Sources

Every value and step on this page comes from these official pages. Dashboards change, so if something doesn’t match what you see, tell us.

Network Solutions steps and tips

Some of these are other email providers' official guides for Network Solutions. They describe the same Network Solutions dashboard.

Google Workspace on other hosts

Other email providers on Network Solutions