> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.linkpod.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect Your Domain

> Point your own domain to Linkpod, wait for activation, and use it for Bio pages and Short Links.

A **custom domain** lets you use your own domain (or subdomain) for Linkpod links.

For example:

* `https://go.yourdomain.com/your-link`
* `https://links.yourdomain.com/your-bio-page`

## Before you start

### What you’ll need

* A domain you own (for example `yourdomain.com`) or a subdomain (for example `go.yourdomain.com`).
* Access to your domain’s DNS settings (your domain registrar or DNS provider).

### How Linkpod expects DNS to be set up

Linkpod’s custom domain system checks the **domain host**.

To connect a custom domain, your domain/subdomain must have a **CNAME** record pointing to:

* `app.linkpod.co`

<Note>
  Linkpod’s dashboard surfaces CNAME records for your domain and will warn you if it can’t detect a CNAME pointing to <code>app.linkpod.co</code>.
</Note>

## Step 1 — Add the DNS record (CNAME)

Create a CNAME record with your DNS provider.

### If you’re using a subdomain (recommended)

Example: connect `go.yourdomain.com`

* **Type**: `CNAME`
* **Name / Host**: `go`
* **Target / Value**: `app.linkpod.co`

### If you’re using the root domain

Linkpod’s UI guidance is based around a CNAME to `app.linkpod.co`.

Many DNS providers do not allow a CNAME at the root (`yourdomain.com`). If yours doesn’t, use a subdomain instead (like `go.yourdomain.com`).

## Step 2 — Connect the domain in Linkpod

In Linkpod, you’ll submit the domain for approval/processing.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Custom domains">
    1. Sign in to your Linkpod dashboard.
    2. Go to **Custom domains**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect your domain">
    1. Select **Connect domain**.
    2. In **Domain or subdomain**, enter your domain (for example `go.yourdomain.com`).
    3. (Optional) Set behavior for visitors who hit the domain root or an unknown path:
       * **Custom index URL**: where visitors go if they open `https://go.yourdomain.com/` (root).
       * **Custom 404 not found URL**: where visitors go if they open a URL that doesn’t exist on your custom domain.
    4. Select **Create**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 3 — Wait for activation (Pending → Active)

Newly connected custom domains start as **Pending**.

Your domain becomes usable once it’s set to **Active**.

<Note>
  In Linkpod’s system, new domains are created with <code>is\_enabled = 0</code> (Pending). When the domain is enabled, Linkpod will start routing requests for that host.
</Note>

<Note>
  Pending domains won’t be available in the **domain** dropdown when creating links. Your domain needs to be **Active** first.
</Note>

### Check your DNS inside Linkpod

On the **Edit custom domain** screen, Linkpod shows your current detected DNS CNAME records.

If you do not see a CNAME record pointing to `app.linkpod.co`, your domain will not work yet.

## Use your custom domain for links

Once your domain is **Active**, you can use it when creating and editing links.

* For Short Links, see: [Create, edit & use Short Links](/short-links/create-edit-and-use)
* For Bio pages, see: [Create & edit a Bio page](/bio-pages/create-and-edit)

### Use for Short Links

1. Go to **Links**.
2. Select **Create** → **Short Link**.
3. In the create modal, choose your custom domain from the **domain** dropdown.

### Use for Bio pages

1. Go to **Links**.
2. Select **Create** → **Bio link**.
3. In the create modal, choose your custom domain from the **domain** dropdown.

## Optional: Make a link the “root” of your custom domain

When editing a link (Bio page or Short Link), you may see an option:

* **Exclusive link page for this custom domain**

If enabled, that link becomes accessible at the root of the custom domain:

* `https://go.yourdomain.com/`

and other links won’t be able to use that same custom domain.

## Troubleshooting

### My domain is stuck on Pending

Common causes:

* DNS changes haven’t fully propagated yet (can take time depending on your provider).
* The domain does not have a CNAME pointing to `app.linkpod.co`.
* You added the record to the wrong host (for example, you added it for `yourdomain.com` when you meant `go.yourdomain.com`).

What to do:

1. Open **Custom domains** → select your domain.
2. Check the **Your current DNS Records** section.
3. Confirm you can see a `CNAME` record and its **target** is `app.linkpod.co`.

### I connected the domain, but visiting it shows “not found”

This usually means either:

* Your domain isn’t Active yet, or
* There is no link created on that domain for the path you’re visiting.

If you want a friendly destination for the domain root (`/`), set a **Custom index URL** or use **Exclusive link page for this custom domain**.

### My Custom index URL doesn’t trigger

The Custom index URL only triggers when:

* A visitor opens the domain root (no path), and
* You have not set an “exclusive link page” as the domain root.

### I changed my domain host and it became Pending again

This is expected. When you change the domain host in Linkpod, it is set back to **Pending** until it’s reviewed/processed again.