DNS Configuration and Verification

Configure your custom domain by adding 3 DNS records to your domain registrar or DNS provider. After adding these records, ClickerVolt verifies ownership and issues an SSL certificate automatically.

Required DNS Records

You need to add exactly 3 DNS records for your custom domain to work with ClickerVolt:

1. CNAME Record (Traffic Routing)

• Type: CNAME

• Name: Your custom domain (e.g., links.yourdomain.com)

• Value: clickervolt.com

• TTL: Automatic or 3600 seconds

• Important: If using Cloudflare, Proxy status MUST be ENABLED (orange cloud icon)

2. TXT Record (Ownership Verification)

• Type: TXT

• Name: Provided by ClickerVolt (typically _clickervolt-challenge.yourdomain.com)

• Value: Random verification token provided by ClickerVolt

• TTL: Automatic or 3600 seconds

• Purpose: Proves you own the domain

3. TXT Record (SSL Certificate)

• Type: TXT

• Name: _acme-challenge.yourdomain.com

• Value: ACME challenge token provided by ClickerVolt

• TTL: Automatic or 3600 seconds

• Purpose: Allows Let's Encrypt to issue SSL certificate

Step-by-Step DNS Setup

Step 1: Add Your Domain in ClickerVolt

1. Go to Custom Domains page

2. Enter your custom domain name

3. Consent to $1/month billing

4. Click "Add Domain"

5. ClickerVolt displays the 3 DNS records you need to add

Step 2: Log Into Your DNS Provider

Access your domain registrar or DNS provider dashboard (examples: Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap, Route 53, Google Domains). Navigate to the DNS management section for your domain.

Step 3: Add CNAME Record

1. Create a new CNAME record

2. Name/Host: Your custom domain (e.g., links.yourdomain.com)

3. Value/Target: clickervolt.com

4. If using Cloudflare: Click the cloud icon to enable Proxy (must be orange, not gray)

5. Save the record

Step 4: Add TXT Record for Ownership

1. Create a new TXT record

2. Name/Host: Copy from ClickerVolt (starts with _clickervolt-challenge)

3. Value/Content: Copy the verification token from ClickerVolt

4. Save the record

Step 5: Add TXT Record for SSL

1. Create a new TXT record

2. Name/Host: Copy from ClickerVolt (starts with _acme-challenge)

3. Value/Content: Copy the ACME challenge token from ClickerVolt

4. Note: This record may take a moment to appear - click "Refresh" in ClickerVolt if not shown initially

5. Save the record

Step 6: Verify in ClickerVolt

1. Wait 60-90 seconds for DNS propagation (with Cloudflare)

2. Without Cloudflare, DNS can take up to 72 hours to propagate globally

3. Click "Refresh" button in ClickerVolt Custom Domains page

4. ClickerVolt checks for all 3 DNS records

5. If verified, domain status changes to "Active" with SSL enabled

DNS Propagation Time

DNS propagation time varies depending on your DNS provider:

With Cloudflare (Recommended):

• Verification typically completes in 60-90 seconds

• Fast propagation due to Cloudflare's global network

• Domain becomes active almost immediately

Without Cloudflare:

• DNS propagation can take up to 72 hours

• Depends on your DNS provider's TTL settings

• Check back periodically and click "Refresh"

Verification Status

After adding DNS records, ClickerVolt performs several checks:

• CNAME verification - Confirms CNAME points to clickervolt.com

• Ownership verification - Validates TXT record proves domain ownership

• SSL certificate issuance - Uses _acme-challenge TXT to obtain Let's Encrypt certificate

• Full activation - Domain becomes active for tracking links

You can view verification status and SSL status in the Custom Domains table. Click "Refresh" to manually trigger a verification check.

Cloudflare Users - Critical Requirement

If your domain's DNS is managed by Cloudflare, there is a critical configuration requirement:

Proxy Status MUST Be Enabled:

• The CNAME record MUST have Proxy status ENABLED (orange cloud icon)

• Gray cloud (DNS only) will NOT work with ClickerVolt

• This is opposite of some other services

• Without proxy enabled, verification will fail

How to Enable Cloudflare Proxy:

1. Find your CNAME record in Cloudflare DNS settings

2. Look for the cloud icon next to the record

3. If the cloud is gray (DNS only), click it

4. The cloud should turn orange (Proxied)

5. Save changes if needed

6. Return to ClickerVolt and click "Refresh"

Common DNS Providers

Cloudflare:

• Best performance (60-90 second verification)

• IMPORTANT: Enable Proxy (orange cloud) for CNAME

• Add all 3 records in DNS section

• Fast global propagation

GoDaddy:

• DNS propagation: 1-24 hours typically

• Use @ for root domain or subdomain name for CNAME

• TXT records: paste exact values from ClickerVolt

• No proxy option needed

Namecheap:

• DNS propagation: 30 minutes to 48 hours

• Advanced DNS section for adding records

• CNAME target: clickervolt.com (no trailing dot)

• TXT records: copy values exactly

AWS Route 53:

• Fast propagation (usually < 60 seconds)

• Create record set for each DNS entry

• CNAME value: clickervolt.com.

• TXT values: Wrap in quotes if needed

Troubleshooting DNS Issues

Domain Not Verifying:

• Wait longer - DNS propagation can take up to 72 hours

• Check all 3 records are added correctly (no typos)

• Verify CNAME points to clickervolt.com (not an IP address)

• If using Cloudflare, confirm Proxy is ENABLED (orange cloud)

• Use online DNS checker (whatsmydns.net, dnschecker.org) to verify records are visible

• Clear your browser cache and DNS cache

• Try verification from a different network or device

SSL Certificate Not Issued:

• Verify the _acme-challenge TXT record is added correctly

• Wait a few minutes - SSL can take 5-10 minutes after domain verification

• Click "Refresh" to trigger another SSL attempt

• Check if _acme-challenge TXT record is visible globally using DNS checker tools

Cloudflare Proxy Issues:

• Confirm cloud icon is orange (Proxied), not gray (DNS only)

• Disable and re-enable proxy if needed

• Wait 30 seconds after changing proxy status

• Verify from ClickerVolt Custom Domains page

CNAME Already Exists Error:

• Remove existing CNAME or A record for the same hostname

• You cannot have both CNAME and A record for the same name

• If using root domain, you may need to use a subdomain instead

Advanced Topics

Root Domain vs Subdomain Configuration

Both root domains and subdomains use the same CNAME record configuration. However, some DNS providers (especially older ones) may not allow CNAME records on root domains due to DNS RFC restrictions. If you encounter issues with root domain CNAME, either: switch to a subdomain (recommended) or check if your DNS provider supports CNAME flattening/ALIAS records.

DNS Record Priority

All 3 DNS records must be present for full functionality. However, they are checked in this order: CNAME (traffic routing) → TXT ownership (verification) → TXT SSL (_acme-challenge for certificate). If verification fails, check records in this order.

Using Online DNS Checkers

To verify your DNS records are visible globally before verification in ClickerVolt, use tools like whatsmydns.net or dnschecker.org. Enter your domain and select CNAME or TXT record type. The tool shows whether the record is visible from different locations worldwide. If not visible everywhere, wait longer for propagation.

Changing DNS Records After Setup

Once your custom domain is active with SSL, do NOT modify or delete the DNS records. The CNAME and TXT records must remain in place for your domain to continue working. Deleting records will cause your tracking links to stop functioning. If you need to move DNS providers, add the same records at the new provider before removing them from the old provider.