The provided video snippet describes how to share domain information with another user in Google Domains, not how to add an email address to your domain. To add an email address to your Google Domain, you have a few options, depending on what you want to achieve:
- Using Google Workspace (formerly G Suite): This is the most common method. It gives you professional email addresses (e.g., [email protected]) through Gmail.
- Email forwarding: This allows you to forward emails sent to an address at your domain (e.g., [email protected]) to an existing email address (like your personal Gmail or Yahoo account).
- Using a third-party email hosting provider: You can connect your Google Domain to other email hosting services.
Since the exact steps vary depending on which method you choose, let's break down each option.
Option 1: Using Google Workspace
This option provides a full-fledged email service with your domain name.
- Sign up for Google Workspace: Go to the Google Workspace website and sign up for a plan that suits your needs. Workspace plans are paid subscriptions.
- Verify Your Domain: Google will guide you through verifying that you own the domain. This typically involves adding a TXT record to your domain's DNS settings within Google Domains.
- Create User Accounts: Once verified, you can create user accounts (email addresses) for each person who needs one (e.g., [email protected], [email protected]). Google Workspace handles all the technical details of setting up the email servers.
- Update MX Records (If Required): Google Workspace will provide you with MX records to add to your Google Domains DNS settings. These records tell the internet where to deliver emails for your domain. Google usually automates this step during setup.
Option 2: Email Forwarding (Simplest Option)
This is the easiest and often cheapest (sometimes free) option if you just need a simple email alias.
- Log in to Google Domains: Access your Google Domains account.
- Select Your Domain: Choose the domain you want to add the email forward to.
- Navigate to Email Forwarding: Look for a section related to "Email" or "Email Forwarding."
- Add an Email Forward: Enter the desired email address (e.g., [email protected]) and the destination email address (e.g., [email protected]). Any email sent to [email protected] will now be forwarded to [email protected].
- Repeat: Repeat step 4 for any other email forwarders you need.
Important Considerations for Forwarding:
- Sending Emails: You won't be able to send emails from the forwarding address (e.g., [email protected]) using most forwarding services. You'll only receive them.
- Spam Filters: Forwarded emails are sometimes flagged as spam. Check your spam folder regularly. Some email services offer ways to mitigate this (e.g., setting up SPF records).
Option 3: Third-Party Email Hosting
You can use other email hosting providers like Zoho Mail, Microsoft 365, or specialized email hosting services.
- Sign up for a third-party email hosting service: Choose an email provider and create an account.
- Configure DNS Records: The email hosting provider will give you specific DNS records (MX, SPF, DKIM, and potentially others) that you need to add to your Google Domains DNS settings.
- Access DNS Settings in Google Domains: Go to your domain in Google Domains and find the DNS settings area.
- Add/Update DNS Records: Carefully add or update the DNS records provided by your email hosting provider.
- Verify Configuration: The email hosting provider will likely have a verification process to ensure your DNS records are set up correctly.
- Create User Accounts: Create user accounts within the third-party email hosting provider.
Example DNS records (example only, get the actual records from your provider):
| Record Type | Name | Value | TTL |
|---|---|---|---|
| MX | @ | aspmx.l.google.com. | 3600 |
| MX | @ | alt1.aspmx.l.google.com. | 3600 |
| SPF | @ | v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all | 3600 |
The "Name" field might also be blank or your domain name depending on the provider's instructions.
Key Takeaway: Adding an email to a Google Domain can mean a professional email address via Google Workspace, a simple email forward, or using a third-party email hosting service. Your choice depends on your needs and budget.
