yaya

Find where your DNS is managed

Look up your domain's name servers to learn which company holds its DNS records, then open the matching yaya guide.

Last updated

Why it matters

Two companies can be involved with one domain. The registrar is where you bought the domain. The DNS host is where the records live.

They are often the same company. They can also be different. A domain bought at one company can use the name servers of another.

You edit records at the DNS host. Records you add at the registrar do nothing if the domain uses another company's name servers.

Find your DNS host in three steps

  1. Look up the name servers of your domain. Use one of the two ways below.
  2. Compare the result with the list in this article.
  3. Open the guide for that provider.

Way 1: a lookup website. Search the web for "NS lookup" and open any public DNS lookup website. Type your domain, for example example.com, and choose the record type NS.

Way 2: a command. Open a terminal. On Mac or Linux, run dig NS example.com. On Windows, run nslookup -type=NS example.com.

Both ways show two to four names, like ns1.example-dns.com. Use the part after the first dot to find your provider.

Match the name servers to a provider

A star (*) stands for any text. Each line shows a name server pattern, then the provider and its guide.

If the name servers match none of these, the domain uses another host. Ask the company you pay for the domain. They can tell you where the records live.

Other providers with a guide

These providers also have a yaya guide. Their name servers vary, so check the name servers in your account at the provider.

What to do next

If your provider is not listed

Find three things in your provider's help pages or account.

  1. Find the DNS page. It can be called DNS, DNS zone, Advanced DNS or Zone editor.
  2. Check whether it supports an ALIAS or ANAME record. You need one to connect a bare domain like example.com.
  3. Note the field names. Some providers call the host Name, Host or Subdomain. Some call the value Target, Points to or Value.

If there is no ALIAS or ANAME, connect www.example.com with a CNAME record. Then forward example.com to www.example.com at your provider. See Use a subdomain or www.

You can also write to support@yaya.page. Tell us your domain and your provider. We can help you find the right page.

Was this guide helpful?

Still stuck? Email support@yaya.page.

Related guides