CNAME (Canonical Name) records are a type of DNS record used to create an alias for a domain name. Instead of pointing directly to an IP address like A records, a CNAME record points one domain to another domain.
For example, you can set blog.yourdomain.com to point to yourdomain.wordpress.com using a CNAME record.
CNAMEs are useful when:
- You want multiple subdomains (like www, blog, or shop) to point to a main domain.
- You're setting up services like email, web apps, or cloud platforms.
- You want to simplify domain management — if the IP address changes, only the target domain needs updating.
Note: CNAME records should not be used on the root domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) — only on subdomains like www.yourdomain.com. Also, they are typically used in more advanced configurations or when setting up third-party services.
