DNS URL records are non-standard DNS records used by some DNS providers to enable URL forwarding and redirection services. These records allow domain owners to redirect web traffic from one domain or subdomain to another URL without requiring web server configuration.
URL records are proprietary DNS record types offered by certain DNS providers to enable URL redirection at the DNS level. When a browser visits a domain with a URL record, the DNS provider's infrastructure performs an HTTP redirect to the specified destination URL. This provides a simple way to set up domain forwarding without managing web servers.
URL records typically support both HTTP and HTTPS redirects and can be configured with different redirect types such as permanent (301) or temporary (302) redirects. Some providers also support masking options where the original domain name is preserved in the browser's address bar.
When a user visits a domain configured with URL records, the DNS resolution returns the IP address of the DNS provider's redirect service. The provider's web servers then intercept the HTTP request and respond with an HTTP redirect header pointing to the destination URL specified in the URL record.
This process operates at the application layer rather than the DNS protocol layer, requiring the DNS provider to maintain web infrastructure to handle the redirects. The actual DNS query returns A or AAAA records pointing to the provider's redirect servers, not the final destination.
URL records are convenient for simple domain forwarding scenarios but have limitations compared to server-based redirects. They may not preserve URL parameters, have limited customization options, and can impact SEO since search engines see the redirect responses rather than the original content.
Here's what a URL record looks like for the domain example.com:
