Connect a domain at GoDaddy

Add the DNS record HYDLNK shows at GoDaddy, with the exact menus and fields, and what to check if it doesn’t verify.

Guide 5 of 10 · 5 min read

You need two things from HYDLNK first: add your domain in the editor under Domains, and keep that screen open. It shows the record to add. This guide covers the GoDaddy side.

Check that your DNS is managed here

A domain registered at GoDaddy doesn’t always use GoDaddy’s DNS. If its nameservers point to another company, the records have to be added there instead.

Sign in to GoDaddy and open Domain Portfolio.
Select your domain to open Domain Settings, then choose DNS.
Open Nameservers under DNS. If they belong to another company, add the records at that company, not here.

Subdomain: add the CNAME

Use this for links.yourbrand.com, so your website keeps working.

In Domain Portfolio, select the domain, then choose DNS.
Select Add New Record.
Set Type to CNAME.
In Name, enter only the prefix, such as links. GoDaddy adds your domain.
In Value, paste the target HYDLNK shows.
Leave TTL at the default of 1 hour, then select Save.

The value is the one HYDLNK shows on the Domains screen of the editor. Copy it from there; never type it from memory or from another guide.

Root domain: add the A record

Use this for yourbrand.com itself.

Clear what is in the way first. A parked domain has GoDaddy’s parking A records on @. You will replace them. If the domain uses GoDaddy forwarding, it locks the A record: open DNS, then Forwarding, and delete the forwarding first.
Under DNS, edit the existing A record on @, or select Add New Record if there isn’t one.
Set Type to A and Name to @.
In Value, paste the address HYDLNK shows, then select Save.

The value is the one HYDLNK shows on the Domains screen of the editor. Copy it from there; never type it from memory or from another guide.

Common problems at GoDaddy

A record won’t delete or change. Check Forwarding under DNS. A forwarding rule locks the record until you remove it.
GoDaddy asks for a verification code when you save. That is Domain Protection. Enter the code it sends and save again.
The Name came out wrong. Enter links, not links.yourbrand.com, or you get links.yourbrand.com.yourbrand.com.
An AAAA record on the same name. Remove it. If a name has an AAAA record, some visitors are sent there instead of to your page.
A CNAME that shares its name with another record. A CNAME can’t sit next to any other record on the same name. Delete the others first, or use a different subdomain.
A CAA record that doesn’t allow us. If your domain has a CAA record, it must allow letsencrypt.org, or https won’t start. If you have no CAA records, you don’t need to add one.

How long it takes, then check in HYDLNK

GoDaddy says most changes take effect within an hour and can take up to 48 hours.

Then open Domains in the HYDLNK editor. The screen looks again on its own, and Check DNS now looks straight away. When it says Verified, https starts on its own, usually within a few minutes, and your page loads at your domain. There is nothing else to turn on.

If it still says Waiting for DNS after the time above, read If it doesn’t verify in the main guide.

Checked October 2026. Dashboards change; if a menu is named differently when you look, the field names above still apply.